🔍

South Wharf

VIC 3006 • Victoria

71
Population (2021)
N/A
Median Personal Income
0.29 km²
Area
N/A
Median Rent
Inner-CityCBD-AdjacentHarboursideHistoricCafé Culture
Advertisement

About South Wharf

South Wharf is a compact inner-city locality on the southern bank of the Yarra River, approximately 2 kilometres south-west of Melbourne's CBD within the City of Melbourne local government area. Gazetted in 2008 as part of an urban renewal strategy to connect Southbank with the Melbourne Docklands, South Wharf covers just 0.29 square kilometres and had a residential population of 71 at the 2021 Census. The locality is predominantly commercial and institutional in character, anchored by large apartment buildings, a hotel, and major event and retail facilities, with the median postcode income reflecting Melbourne's inner-city professional demographic.

South Wharf is home to two of Melbourne's most significant public venues: the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre (MCEC) and the Melbourne Maritime Museum, which houses the heritage tall ship Polly Woodside. The South Wharf Promenade along the Yarra River is a lively waterfront destination featuring bars, restaurants, and the DFO South Wharf outlet shopping centre. The locality is superbly connected to public transport, with Southern Cross Station a short walk away and multiple tram lines running along Clarendon Street and Spencer Street. Its mix of residential apartments, event spaces, and riverside dining makes South Wharf one of Melbourne's most active and well-located inner precincts.

South Wharf falls under postcode 3006 and is governed by the Melbourne Council (Local Government Area). For federal elections, residents vote in the electorate of Macnamara, while state elections fall under the Prahran (Southern Metropolitan) electorate.

📍 Location

State
Victoria
Postcode
3006
Urban Area
N/A
LGA / Council
Melbourne
Federal Electorate
Macnamara
State Electorate
Prahran (Southern Metropolitan)
Type
Locality
Timezone
Melbourne (UTC+10)
Coordinates
-37.83°, 144.95°
Statistical Area
N/A
Area
0.29 km²
Population Density
245 /km²
Elevation
0m

📣 Ad

💰 Income

ATO taxable income Postcode 3006

Median taxable income for individual taxpayers in postcode 3006, comparing the 2019–20 and 2023–24 financial years.

Median 2019–20
$50,125
Median 2023–24
$57,373
▲ 14.5% increase
Average taxable income (2023–24)
$92,347

Source: ATO Taxation Statistics 2023–24, Individuals Table 8 (median & average taxable income by postcode). Covers all individuals who lodged a return in postcode 3006; postcodes with fewer than 200 lodgments are suppressed by the ATO.

🚌 Transport & Commute

Nearest Train Stations

Southern Cross Station
0.7 km
8 min
Flinders Street Station
1.1 km
14 min

Bus Services

  • Tram 96, 109, 12, 75 — Melbourne CBD (Collins Street / Bourke Street) 5 min
  • Bus 207, 216, 232 — Southbank / Melbourne CBD 5-10 min

Commute to Melbourne CBD

Distance
2 km
By Train
8 min walk to Southern Cross Station; tram to CBD takes approx. 5 min
By Car (Peak)
5-15 min
By Car (Off-Peak)
5-8 min

🛣️ Exceptionally well-served by tram, train, and bus; largely walkable to CBD

Walkability Walker's Paradise

South Wharf is within walking distance of the Melbourne CBD, with trams, trains, restaurants, and major facilities all accessible on foot.

🛒 Supermarkets Nearby

No major supermarkets listed for this suburb.

🎓 Schools

👥 Demographics

Census 2016
0
Census 2021
71
▲ 0% growth

Population Growth

Gender Distribution (Census 2021)

📊 Population: ABS Census 2021

🚔 Crime Statistics LGA-wide

These are the latest rates for the Melbourne Local Government Area, which contains South Wharf. Rates are per 100,000 residents for the year ending September 2025; trends compare 2 and 10 year periods.

Break & enter (dwelling)
550.4 / 100k
2yr Up 22.3% 10yr Down 10.8%
Motor vehicle theft
785.3 / 100k
2yr Up 73.2% 10yr Up 76.2%
Non-FV assault
1,345.5 / 100k
2yr Stable 10yr Up 14.7%
Robbery (unarmed)
26.2 / 100k
2yr Down 19.7% 10yr Stable
Steal from vehicle
2,849.7 / 100k
2yr Up 154.0% 10yr Up 99.5%
View all offence subgroups for Melbourne →

Source: Crime Statistics Agency Victoria

📣 Ad

Nearby Suburbs

Frequently Asked Questions

What is South Wharf known for? +

South Wharf is best known for the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre (MCEC), the heritage Polly Woodside tall ship at the Melbourne Maritime Museum, and the South Wharf Promenade — a lively riverfront strip of bars, restaurants, and the DFO South Wharf outlet shopping centre.

How far is South Wharf from Melbourne CBD? +

South Wharf is approximately 2 kilometres south-west of the Melbourne CBD, making it a short walk or a 5-minute tram or car ride to the city centre.

Does South Wharf have public transport? +

South Wharf is exceptionally well-connected by public transport. Southern Cross Station is an 8-minute walk away, and tram lines 96, 109, 12, and 75 serve the precinct. Multiple bus routes also stop nearby, and the CBD is easily walkable.

What is the population of South Wharf? +

According to the 2021 Census, South Wharf had a residential population of just 71 people, reflecting its predominantly commercial and institutional character, though the area hosts tens of thousands of visitors daily.

Is South Wharf a good place to live? +

South Wharf suits those who want to live at the heart of Melbourne's inner-city activity, with excellent transport links, waterfront dining and shopping, and the CBD on the doorstep. The area is better known as a commercial and events precinct than a traditional residential neighbourhood.

What is the postcode for South Wharf? +

South Wharf shares postcode 3006 with the adjacent suburb of Southbank, located on the southern bank of the Yarra River in inner Melbourne.

Is South Wharf a safe area? +

Crime statistics are recorded at the Local Government Area level. South Wharf is part of the Melbourne LGA — see the Crime Statistics section on this page for the latest recorded offence rates per 100,000 residents, along with 2-year and 10-year trends.