Southgate Footbridge

Built in 1989 the Southgate pedestrian bridge over the Yarra River in Melbourne provides the main pedestrian link for thousands of workers and tourists between Flinders Street Station and the Southgate business and entertainment precinct.

The Curved Arch

 

Originally finished with traditional Merbau timber decking and painted with “anti slip” paints, City Wide services in 2006 removed the existing timber deck and replaced it with prefabricated “OmniTreads”. Constructed from dressed Merbau timbers OmniTread decking panels are prefabricated to include the unique OMNIGRIP Deco surfacing to provide a durable, slip resistant and aesthetically pleasing decking finish.


The footbridge from Princes Bridge

 

The bridge was designed by Melbourne architects Cocks and Carmichael. The curve of the arch is a parabola and is 45.7 metres in length.

Artwork on the bridge

 

As you walk over the bridge from Southgate, the large metal sculpture is on the lower level on the left hand side before the start of the arch.

Today's Quote: Let every man praise the bridge that carries him over - English Proverb.

Room With A View

 

Let there be light
At the Southgate complex in Southbank, you get a fabulous view of the Yarra from this upper arched area. The "round the world" globe is decorative with stained glass underneath. Through the arch you can see Flinders Street Station, with the trees below forming part of the City Walk along the northern riverbank.


Below is a shot of the glass roof and metal lighting.

 

Today's Quote: Look at life through the windshield, not the rear-view mirror - Byrd Baggett.

Southbank & Southgate

 

Southbank from Princes Bridge
Southbank is the area that stretches along the southern bank of the Yarra River. It starts the moment you cross Princes Bridge, turn right and walk down the steps to the river. Southbank was once an old and neglected area, mostly industrial, which has been rejuvenated as the heartbeat of the central city area.

 

The Yarra River
This has been done by using the Yarra River as a central feature and by introducing entertainment facilities along the river bank. The main focal point is the Southgate Arts & Leisure Precinct, which is Melbourne's main entertainment precinct. This photo is facing north and was taken from Southgate. The green dome you see is Flinders Street Station and the Church spire is that of St. Paul's which is on the opposite corner diagonally to the station.

 

Trendy Cafes
There are upmarket shops and restaurants, trendy cafes, food courts and a five-star hotel. I took this photo from one of the upstairs levels.

 

Hamer Hall
This area also is the home of the Arts Centre and its theatres, as well as the Hamer Hall (previously Melbourne Concert Hall). At Southgate, a huge emphasis is placed on outdoor eating and sidewalk entertainment. A market is held along the footways at the eastern end of the river bank on Sunday mornings.

 

Relaxing at Southgate
It is not only tourists who love Southbank and Southgate - many Melbournians when visiting the city come for a snack and a drink, and city workers can be seen on their lunchbreak relaxing under the many shady trees along the Promenade. The trees are deciduous so the area still gets plenty of light even on the darkest winter day. It is also a great area for families - at weekends and during school holidays especially - mums and dads and babies in prams.

 

Cruising the Yarra
You can catch a steamboat opposite the Southgate complex for a trip up the Yarra.

Today's Quote: When you look at a city, it's like reading the hopes, aspirations and pride of everyone who built it - Hugh Newell Jacobsen.