South Yarra, Melbourne — Victoria

South Yarra is a suburb of Melbourne in Victoria, Australia. Its place-name was derived from its geographic location, on the southern banks of the Yarra River.

The suburb is considered home to the more affluent residents of the city. One of its most impressive residences and probably the suburb’s the most historic is the Como House, located on the corner of Lechlade Avenue and Williams Road. The mansion was built in 1847 and is set amidst impressive gardens. The whole estate is open to the public and visitors can take guided tours to explore the house and view its antique furnishings and furniture. The grounds are also ideal for picnics, especially at the water garden. There is also the Como Café located within the premises that serves refreshments and light snacks. Behind the estate is Como Park, home of the Prahran Cricket Club.

South Yarra also features numerous Victorian terrace houses, most of them located along Park Street, Domain Road, and Caroline Street.

There are also several parks in South Yarra that locals and visitors head out to when they wish to enjoy a bit of the outdoors. Part of the Royal Botanic Gardens lie within the suburb and visitors can explore the gardens’ collections of trees, shrubs, and flowering plants. Numerous species of birds also call the area home, making it ideal for bird watching. There are several walking trails that visitors can follow on their own or participate in guided tours. The gardens are also the venue of theatrical performances and film screenings. It also feature the Aboriginal Heritage Walk, in which Aboriginal guides impart knowledge on the culture of the Boonwurrung and Woiworung people, the local custodians of the area upon which the gardens is situated, as they take visitors around.

One highlight of the Royal Botanic Gardens is the Ian Potter Foundation Children’s Garden. Included in the gardens’ attractions are the Ruin Garden where children are pretty much allowed to explore and do whatever they wish without having to worry about ruining the vegetation and the Wetland Area where they can catch insects in nets and learn about them. There is also the Bamboo Forest, The Gorge, Plant Tunnels, and The Rill which demonstrates the path of an old river through a rainforest and into a pond.

South of the Royal Botanic Gardens is another major outdoor attraction in South Yarra, the Fawkner Park which is located along Toorak Road West. The park is home to the Melbourne Cricket Club and the Corroboree Tree that used to be the site of Aboriginal rituals and ceremonies.

Located north east of South Yarra and across the Como Park is the Herring Island Environmental Sculpture Park, which features the works of several renowned Australian artists. The park also features a native wild garden cultivated by local horticulturist Iain Shears and the Herring Island Gallery, which is an ideal venue for cultural and corporate events, as well as venue for exhibitions.

For a bit of urban entertainment and leisure, visitors can head out to The Jam Factory, a shopping center along Chapel Street. Apart from retail outlets, the center also features numerous restaurants and cafes.