Docklands, VIC 3008

3.4(21 reviews)

Ranked 348th best suburb by locals in Melbourne (Greater) Region, VIC

Great for

  • Public transport
  • Pest-free
  • Safe and sound
  • Gym and fitness
  • Internet access

Not great for

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Reviews of Docklands, VIC

1st April 2023

"Empty and derelict"

Cold, austere and just not that welcoming...

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10th September 2022

"2 sides to Docklands"

Reading other peoples views on here is creating a bias option on what the suburb of Docklands has to offer.

There are 2 sides of Docklands, seperate by the Yarra. (On the Lorimer Steet side) - you have beautifully designed vertical living, in a quite, developing location)

On Collins Street, (and Costco side, you have a some of the aforementioned comments. (Collins street side, post COVID was becoming Melbourne’s newest CBD (Central Business District) with a lot of the top 4 close bye.

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"Great suburb!"

I usually come to Docklands to meet friends or to skate around the area. I always enjoy my time here, and I always feel safe when I'm out at night.

Who lives here?

  • Singles
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"Would stay forever!"

Having lived in Docklands since 2007, I have no desire to leave. We even offered to buy our neighbours apartment in order to expand. Beautiful views, perfectly located with easy access to the city, footcray rd, westgate and monash.

People are lovely. It has a small community suburb vibe but in the city. State of the art community library and new primary school. Really good maternal health clinic, childcare and doctors. Perfect inner city living for families as well as singles and retirees.
Grearlt restaurants, shopping and public transport. What more could you want!

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"Developing City Gem"

People always have strong opinion about Docklands. Either they are saying it is too quiet or too crowded with international students. Look I get it, Docklands is still considered a new suburb which is developing. But I don't think it is necessarily a bad thing to live somewhere quiet, safe and clean. Who doesn't want to live in an area where is quiet and away from drunks and noisy clubs but still all the benefits of living in a city. I had lived in suburbs before where so much time is spent commuting in traffic to work. Thats not liveability. At least here you can get to city with free trams and pretty much walk anywhere you need - shops, waterfront walks with views of the city skyline, parks, restaurants and activities like cinema, bowling and ice skating. The neighbourhood is largely educated professionals, young couples as well as more families particularly since the school opened. It is a full package here.
In a nutshell, Docklands is a very livable area.
If you haven't visit the Docklands library go check it out and you will get a better idea of what I'm tryin to say. :)

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  • Families with kids
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Rentals in Docklands

"Docklands full of thousands if cheap flats."

Docklands is not for families with 75 % of flats of only one bedroom. The suburb is being trashed by transient students and Airbnb. The City and State is making millions in rates and property taxes. Will be a slum within 10 years.

0
steveg21

Incorrect! I have lived in Docklands for 8 years and it has had a big uptake in families in the last 3 years I've noticed.
Docklands has a new primary school which is state of the art.
Some buildings have Airbnb and some don't due to their By-laws.
Do your research before you choose so you avoid ending up moving into one that has short stay.
Don't believe the crap this review is saying, it's obvious that the has some sort of axe to grind.

Ben Lee

Agree steveg21, the comment by johnnb104 is not correct. My daughter lives in Docklands with her flatmate, having moved from the CBD and loves it! She feels much safer than in the CBD, loves the free tram, and the cafes!

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"Don't buy into Doclands. It is for AirBNB and international students hot bedding and trashing the area."

Restaurants are terrible
Residents are students living 4/5 in one bedroom flats and drunken AirBNB tenants
Trash everywhere including mattresses
State promised a park but gave a shocking football oval for people from poor suburbs who leave garbage
District can not attract any quality stores as no one in docklands has any disposable income to buy anything but essentials
Dockland is becoming a slum

0
steveg21

Total BS! Don't believe anything that is being said here.
I've lived here for 8 years.
As for Airbnb tenants, there hasn't been any tourists in 12 months because of lockdowns /Covid.
Docklands has 2 shopping centres, one called the District Docklands and the other called DFO Spencer Street.
Obviously covid has stopped tourism which this inner city suburb heavily relies on so that has sent many businesses around Docklands including in the Melbourne CBD to close.
Definitely not a slum, lots of families, plenty of parklands and a genuine community presence.

bkk1

It's obviously the same guy with nothing better to do, or an agenda to knock the docklands. I am actually looking at the area to relocate - where would the main shopping dining area be, and which is the best residential high rise.

johnb116

I am not the same guy and I am not an agent. I have lived here for 6 years and Docklands is a disgrace. It's primary claim to fame is turning Buxton into the 127th wealthiest Australian on the back of mainly cheap 1 bedroom flats. The State government under Bracks wanted to have a low rise suburb. Sold as the Albert Park by the water. It is dirty, had wind vectoring with all the high rise. It is dirty and is rapidly turning into a slum. It's for rental to international students and AirB&B. I suggest you buy elsewhere. The shops are all low level with many vacant. John

bkk1

hmm. I actually didn't call you agent.

steveg21

He definitely is a troll.
The main shopping precinct is in NewQuay. It has the District Shopping centre and Costco.
Lot's of places to eat.
A few restaurants on the harbour in NewQuay but not many. I've said it many times, It's great place to live if you like a quiet, and relaxed suburb but if you want more people and restaurants then Southbank with the Casino may suit you.

a-guest

I find Docklands really calming, yet exciting. The lovely parks are awash with Australian natives, attracting a variety of birdlife. It is a wonderful place with great infrastructure. Docklands is a real gem.

Ben Lee

Obviously the same guy, and posted 2 negative comments on the same day under JOHN. Anyway, Docklands may not suit everyone, but its got a lot going for it, and I agree with the comments above: safe, quiet, fabulous infrastructure. The chance of docklands turning into a "slum" is about... zero.

dragonclaw

Docklands may not be for everyone I have not lived there but do have IP and I woul

dragonclaw

.I would be keeping for long term as planning to have a base in the CBD in future

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"Everything at your feet!"

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2
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"LOCATION ! LOCATION! LOCATION"

Just love the lifestyle, so close to the city !

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  • Professionals
2
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"Overcrowding"

Looking at docklands real estate and ended up un flatmates,stunned to c 2 bedroom flats stating 4 ppl can live there and even 5 on the website.Isnt there codes against overcrowding.wld never live there.

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  • Singles
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johnb104

These are the people the State panders too as building dreadful one bedroom flats makes everyone money except the residents as their vote is ignored. Docklands being trashed.

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"Quality of living in Docklands has deteriorated substantially in the last 4-5 years."

We moved to Docklands for the lifestyle 6 years ago and, for the first 2-3 years we absolutely loved it - a new Mirvac building, our apartment is up high with fabulous views along the Yarra. We loved our walks along the river to the many and varied restaurants and all that the city has to offer.
How things have changed: we can no longer open our windows as the traffic noise has increased to an unbearable level, earplugs must be used in order to get quality sleep. The increased traffic also generates a lot of dust, the balconies are covered in dust at the end of every week and must be hosed down. If windows are opened to get some fresh air, every thing inside the apartment is covered in dust. Imagine what that does to someone with breathing difficulties - not a healthy environment.
Well, we've tried city living, but on balance, we consider our health to be more important than the views ( the novelty of which wears off after a while) but the wind, dust, noise, smelly cooking, animals urinating in lifts and hallways and random people parking in your parking spot is a constant in Docklands apartment living ..... no more for us, we are moving out next week :) !

Who lives here?

  • Professionals
0
johnb104

I agree. Lived here for 6 years believing John Brumby saying a residential suburb would be built. Docklands a disgrace dirty full of transients trashing the place.

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"Not a cosmopolitan inviroment"

Lived here for 6 years.
The first 2 years were great.
How it has changed!
Over priced tacky apartments with washing on the balconies.and home stay apartments.

Cigarette butts everywhere.
The cafes cater for office workers then close at 4pm.
As a foodie I would not eat anywhere here.
The crime rate is high( ask the police force)

The supermarket is terrible and does not stock quality European food!

0
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"Underrated and transforming"

We spent over a year looking for a property in Melbourne. We did not want to spend more than $600,000 so we could get the stamp duty discount. After going to countless open homes and auctions we were frustrated that all two bedroom, two bathroom apartments within 5kms of the city were being sold for anywhere between $100,000-$200,000 over listed/advertised prices of $550,000.
We were reasonably new to Melbourne (were renting for a couple of years) but we had heard negative comments about Docklands from the start so we avoided the area until frustration overcame bias and we decided to visit a few open homes in the area one weekend.
We were impressed by the suburbs strong benefits. Fantastic free public transport options (30, 35x2, 70, 75 and 86 trams at one end and 48 and 11 at the other end). Immediate access to Melbourne highways to the airport or south east suburbs. 15 minutes walk to CBD office buildings. Beautiful water surroundings. Good shopping options.
After finding a 2 bed, 2 bath, 1 car garage (88sqm internal, 10sqm balcony) with waterfront views, within our budget we were sold. From our experience, if this apartment was in any other inner city suburb it would have cost an extra $100,000 just from size alone, let alone views.
One year later we are still super impressed with the suburb. Our interstate and international guests love staying with us and appreciate the suburbs amenities as well as proximity to the CBD. Since moving weve found some gem in the suburb including the library and ron barrasi park.
The suburb is still evolving with a number of new apartments going up, adding more residents to what starting to become a bustling village atmosphere. The upgrades and renovations to Harbour Town are also adding value to the experience of living in the area. Looking forward to the new cinema, school, market and supermarket coming to the area soon!

Great for

  • Proximity to the city
  • Modern Lifestyle
  • Nice Harbour Views
  • Choice of Restaurants
  • Friendly Neighbours
  • Safe

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Luke Tork
Luke Tork

Which part of docklands are you based?

sj1
sj1

New Quay - The Boyd building

Luke Tork
Luke Tork

Hi, I really appreciate your reply, thank you! I'm also interesting in living in one of those buildings on that side, that have a nice water view. After living there for a while, is there anything you can think of that makes you regret buying in docklands? Thanks!

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"Docklands has big plans"

Docklands has a dynamic mix of residential, commercial, office, cafes and restaurants on offer. With a population of 8,500 residents and growing, Docklands is a fabulous place to live and work. Living here provides me with an easy access to Melbourne's CBD, CityLink, and offers me a safe and secure home for when I travel. The future of Docklands is very bright and clear and I should know having lived here for 6 years.

Great for

  • Modern Lifestyle
  • Nice Harbour Views
  • Choice of Restaurants
  • Friendly Neighbours
  • Safe

Not great for

  • Traffic Congestion

Who lives here?

  • Professionals
  • Singles
  • Retirees
  • Tourists
  • LGBT+
  • Hipsters
  • Students
  • Trendy & Stylish
0
johnb104

The big plans are for MAB the Local & State Government bank accounts. Docklands is full of AirBnB and students living in ghastly one bedroom flats. It's a disgrace and plans for more 40+ storey units for more profits to the same players.

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"Inner City - Good Life"

Docklands is a super place to live for a bit, to experience all that Melbourne has to offer. It's particularly good if you've got a boat, or fancy getting out into Port Phillip bay often.

It's an inclusive place - where you get to meet a really cosmopolitan cross-section of the world.

It's where the sky people live.

Great for

  • Choice of Restaurants
  • Friendly Neighbours
  • Safe
  • Modern Lifestyle
  • Nice Harbour Views

Not great for

  • Noise Pollution
  • Traffic Congestion

Who lives here?

  • Professionals
  • Singles
  • Families with kids
  • Retirees
  • Tourists
  • LGBT+
  • Hipsters
  • Trendy & Stylish
1
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"All Glamour No Substance"

I've lived here for four years. We are owner occupiers. What I have seen over the last few years are the most ridiculous planning from the governments.

They decided to redevelop Harbour Esplanade. This costs taxpayers more money because they now decided that tram stops should have been kept in line with the City of Melbourne, which is the centre of all main roads. How come this wasn't thought of much earlier?

We would have thought that the redevelopment would have made better changes for the future then. Since now we have more corporate and apartment buildings sprawling including more activity at the popular Eithad Stadium, surely since they are remodelling Harbour Esplanade, they would increase the road lanes available. The truth is now, they have shrunk it, certain parts of the road is now one lane. I cannot understand this, there is so much land on either side, why not take advantage of this?

Tram services are appalling. The frequency isn't enough or reliable enough to be trusted. Once you go past peak hours your tram wait times go over 15 minutes! Sometime stretching to almost 30 minutes.

The amount of pubs and drunk people shouting in the middle of night has increased so much in recent years I cannot leave my apartment windows open, since they will wake me. You get drunkards/hooligans making a scene at times.

In summary, you pay extravagant prices to live near the CBD, yet it's harder to get to the CBD due to traffic congestion, not reliable public transportation. I wish everyone here all the best in the next few years as more and more people move in (hint, ask yourself how many entry and exit roads there are to Docklands and can it support that many people).

Great for

  • Modern Lifestyle
  • Nice Harbour Views

Not great for

  • Traffic Congestion
  • Noise Pollution

Who lives here?

  • Singles
  • Tourists
  • Trendy & Stylish
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"GREAT FOR ALL AGES PROVIDING ALL THE BENEFITS Of A COSMOPOLITAN LIFESTYLE"

We had stayed at Docklands at least once a year from 2003 to 2007 in a range of apartments.We loved the cafe's, walks, views, proximity to the city and the lifestyle generally. In 2007 when my daughter moved from Adelaide to Melbourne to finish a law degree we bought our own apartment which was to be used by ourselves and rented short term after her studies finished. The good and bad news is that our property has had 100 percent occupancy so we have been unable to use it. We still visit Melbourne regularly and rent other apartments in Docklands if they are available. When we can't get a Docklands apartment we stay in either Southbank or other near city apartments-but to be honest no other area has offered the same total package.
In summary our Docklands purchase has proved a great investment in both monetary and lifestyle terms and I believe the future looks even better.
Jon

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"Calm end of the city"

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"Modern, convenient and very very windy!"

The Docklands is quite a new area of Melbourne. It has undergone a major facelift in recent times, with a huge number of apartment blocks and waterside townhouses being built. A number of cafes, restaurants and bars have also popped up.

The area is home to a number of young professionals who work in the area, after many of the large businesses have relocated their offices here.

The area is all very convenient, and really quite nice. However the major downside is the wind!! This place seems to funnel huge gusts from the sea, so brace yourself every time you set outside.

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  • Professionals
  • Singles
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"A great new area for young professionals"

If you want to be in a new development close to the city this is the place for you. Perfect for young couples and singles it is practically in the city centre, yet feels somehow separated from it.

It's an easy walk into the city and public transport services the area well. The facilities are well established and if you need anything the city is a short walk away.

Docklands Stadium/Telstra Stadium/ Ethiad Stadium is right there if you are a football fan to go and see all the big games. The only trouble with this is that there are a lot of people around looking for parks. If you are really keen on football and cricket the MCG isn't far away.

It is a great area for walkers and cyclists with water and city views.

Its even a reasonably spot for people with young children as unlike so many inner city locations there is a park and a playground.

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  • Professionals
  • Singles
1
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"New and fresh city living"

Alot of people talk about how Docklands hasn't taken off like the property developers had hoped, but I think they are wrong. It's getting busier and busier every single day, and I think it's a great thing. I've been living in the NewQuay apartment complex area and I can't tell you how much I love waking up to water AND city views.

I work in the city as well, so public transport is a huge bonus for me as I can get to work in 10 minutes. The general atmosphere on weekends is fantastic, people are walking their dogs along the waters edge, and in summer there's nothing better than a beer at one of the cafe's on the shore.

Everyone is very friendly here, and always welcoming. It's a great place to live, I can't say much more than that.

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CommunityMan
CommunityMan

I worked in Docklands for 2 years and while it has potential and some good things, the cafes and restaurants are mostly empty, bland and overpriced, and the strong wind blowing off the water made the whole precinct a dusty wind tunnel.

insider
insider

4 Years on. Where is Docklands going? Still look out the window and wonder. A lot more buildings have gone up and most of the anchor restuarants have gone this year. Toss in the upcoming legal interpretation of 'short term accommodation' - where we are about to find out if the more than 25% of apartments in the precinct that have more or less been run as hotel rooms will no longer be able to do so. My personal view is that you don't build a community by having short, short term hotel rooms in what is supposed to be an apartment complex, but I digress as thats another challenge.

Docklands remains to be a challenge, perhaps in 10 years it will get the mojo. After having guests down from Sydney the other day and walking around the precinct with even the anchor restuarants gone I was a little embarased for my guests and we had to eat at Southgate. But for a change it wasn't windy.

for help with your OC issues and layman theOCguide http://www.theOCguide.com.au is handy.

MaxL1
MaxL1

Not as bad. Docklands will be a great place in five years time provided Vic government not going to do stupid things.

Tg
Tg

DylanP your a moron...
It's like putting all your money on a horse and blaming the horse for emptying out your wallet.
Blaming an entire suburb for your own stupidity, I'm speechless.
This is a forum for "living" in the docklands, not gambling.

johnb104

Docklands will be a slum in 10 years. Buxton now worth $700 million people n the back of cheap flats for AirBNB and Students 3/4 living in one bedroom flats . Docklands a disgrace.

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