In Southbank, your Melbourne day can move from browsing South Melbourne Market to an afternoon at the National Gallery of Victoria, then finish with a full-bodied Victorian wine. That makes Shadow Play by Peppers an easy home base: sleek apartments, a heated outdoor pool and a moody wine bar, with the CBD a short walk away. Here’s why this city stay deserves a spot on your radar.
Sophisticated apartments make it easy to settle in
Looking for a stylish city stay with the comforts of home? You’ll find them here. Each apartment has a kitchen, floor-to-ceiling windows and a balcony, so you can unpack properly, bring back something from the market or enjoy a slower start before the day begins. Crisp white walls and contemporary artworks keep the look polished without feeling too formal.
For a little more room, head to level 45, where five three-bedroom penthouses offer sweeping views over Melbourne’s CBD, with some looking out towards Port Phillip Bay.
Edwin gives you a distinctly Victorian reason to stay for dinner
On the ground floor, Edwin Wine Bar & Cellar puts local wine at the centre of the evening. Its list focuses exclusively on Victorian wines with a deliberate effort to represent women winemakers. Instead of defaulting to a familiar label, ask what’s being poured and use the glass as a way into Victoria’s varied wine country.
The kitchen follows the same local thread, with contemporary Australian dishes shaped by seasonal ingredients and regional producers. The current menu lists Parisienne gnocchi with butternut pumpkin and sage, alongside spaghetti with Corner Inlet prawns, nduja and baby capers. Come in for a full dinner or settle at the bar over a few plates and a glass before deciding whether the night should continue elsewhere.
Take your city break up to level nine (and the outdoor pool)
After a day crossing the city, head upstairs for a swim in the outdoor heated pool. Melbourne’s skyline is in view, so you can cool off while the city carries on below. It’s an inviting place to pause between outings.
The fitness centre, sauna and steam room are on the same level, alongside a lounge and library that open onto a patio. When you’ve had enough of the city, this is a quieter place to reset before heading out again.
South Melbourne Market makes an easy morning detour
Shadow Play by Peppers sits about 1 km from Melbourne’s CBD, with Southbank Promenade, the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre and the arts precinct within easy reach. Start the day with an exhibition at the National Gallery of Victoria, walk back beside the Yarra River, then pause at the hotel before heading out again.
Make time for South Melbourne Market, a short walk away and a good place to see the neighbourhood in motion. Established in 1867, it’s Melbourne’s oldest continually running market, with traders selling fresh produce and prepared food alongside coffee and everyday essentials. Browse before lunch and pick up something to enjoy back at your apartment.
