Oh wow this is crazy – was it like this pre-COVID?
dispose135 on
Its busier weekends when events on
Burnedice25 on
Shame, actually looks like a nicely built area… Guess I gotta try and find the time to go before it gets abandoned and completely shit.
travcaine on
Haha I make the drive here when I need to do some shopping because I know it will be nice and quiet
absolute086 on
It looks peaceful!
Ryzi03 on
It’s always been a ghost town, but Costco leaving was the final nail in the coffin.
I used to work for a restaurant chain that has a store at Docklands. They would pull in such few sales that all of the other stores in the area had to cover the costs and wages of Docklands just to keep it open.
Better-Park8752 on
It’s weird because it’s a beautiful space. But Docklands is too close to the city for shoppers to bother making the trip down here.
aCorgiDriver on
Might get a second job in one of these stores while working my WFH gig.
Woknana on
I love that there is a store named HYPE – it’s much needed lol
Sirius_43 on
I used to run a retail store there pre COVID, it wasn’t busy but it wasn’t usually completely dead. Now it’s a ghost town
N_thanAU on
Best cinema to go to for this reason
ryashpool on
The problem is there is no catchment. You need to pass other areas that have the same amenities to go there, thus if you’re not a docklands resident there is really no compelling reason to visit.
If you are in the city you would typically shop at city locations like QV. If you are more west you might just stay in Footscray and maybe go to Highpoint.
Chewinggum250 on
I went there a few months ago on a Saturday afternoon and it was like that. They have everything including a H&M and a Uniqlo, plus all the entertainment and food options, plus parking and trams right outside. I don’t really get why it’s such a ghost town
Ric0chet_ on
I think this was built because of the promise of how many people would buy in docklands. Yet all I hear is how half of them sut empty because of overseas investors or airbnb’s. It’s a shame that in a housing crisis, and with people wanting more employment we can’t prioritise fixing those problems over “the free market” ruining property.
Pre-COVID, I used to work nearby and took walks there often. There’s a poignant charm to be found in an empty modern shopping district that encapsulates Dockland’s failing effort to be lively despite its seemingly pristine appearance. The area is JUST a little out of the way from convenience.
No-Ice2484 on
I didn’t even know all this was in Docklands
PurpleQuoll on
I love it for parking. Cheapest in the city, easy to get to and then just a free tram ride into the city proper
MsAmyRei on
Outside of O’Brien Icehouse there really isn’t any reason to go there. Most, if not all of the shops can be found in the CBD or other shopping centres that are easier to get to.
IMO it should be turned into a bigger entertainment/restaurant district and really heavily promote that that’s the place you want to be before and after events at Icehouse or Marvel. And then also have some of the smaller shops be little makers markets to provide something unique to explore.
SingleRadio1443 on
I didn’t even realise they had a H&M there
monstersofpunk on
We go to Docklands purely for the super cheap toy store (50% marked price) as its great for Kids gifts. Other than that, why would we go (live in CBD)
FrostyBlueberryFox on
I stand by my opinion that Docklands shouldn’t have tried to be a destination, it should have been a high rise sububs for people who want to be close to the city, but not in the city
however I have heard comments that it has somewhat become something like that
nerfdriveby94 on
I’m from Sydney, stay in Melb very often though. Walked down with my wife last time and I couldn’t get over how empty it was, it was such a short walk from collins and was somehow dead in the middle of the day??
It’s a shame because it’s a really nice area, had real family friendly vibes to it.
Wild_Demand_6324 on
This has been a problem for so many years. Does the Melbourne city council actually have any future plans with this area? Or are they just gonna keep hemorrhaging money over its upkeep?
DISNEYLAND DOCKLANDS WHEN?!?!
Be-real12345 on
Best hoyst, big woolies, next to water, food choice is also ok. Still quiet on weekends
Ky0t0_gh0uL on
Whenever I come here (because I have to a couple of times a month) I think of that scene from Cars where all the Radiator Springs residents are really excited over someone turning up. I think of the shop owners feeling that way.
ACN7 on
I work in the area in a restaurant, and it’s not busy at all. The owner is always trying his best to keep the place open but is struggling to keep his head above water. He’s planning to either shut his business down or sell it ASAP. He barely covers expenses and works almost every day to keep the wages low. It’s a shame he’s got such a nice place with good food. The worst part is whenever there are any major events, the council approves food trucks along the pier, and we lose business to someone who is in the area for ten days in a whole year.
beanoyip06 on
Even if it’s free rental, no shops will be rushing to open shop there. Epic fail location.
moosewiththumbs on
The Aunty Donna flight sim video that is filmed there is a masterclass in using editing for comedic effect.
Decibelle on
Live in Docklands. Literally the target demographic.
But it’s easier to just do my shopping in the CBD than there.
Klutzy-Pie6557 on
Used to go into Docklands only for costco.
Once that left no reason to visit.
EatingMcDonalds on
I’ve always lowkey liked Docklands, but there’s not enough reason to go over the other options around and we live pretty close by.
A small gripe is the parking cost. I’m sorry but we can just as easily go to Chadstone and not pay anything and they have way more options. They should scrap it.
gridchan on
I live in Docklands and love it here. It is almost like a sanctuary from the crowds in the CBD and we have access to everything with need. Agree with some of the comments here that it is hard to travel to unless you drive, but the last year I’ve seen a bigger boom in visitors due to the monthly art markets, and on school holidays it can get quite packed with families which is always fun.
Otherwise I haven’t enjoyed apartment living this much in a while (we have a lovely community). Happy to keep it as a little secret!
rk1213 on
lived there for more than a year. I actually liked how quiet it is. Sucks for the businesses but good for living (minus the wind). I bought an apartment in the CBD and while it’s really convenient now, I really miss how quiet it is over there.
Fletch810 on
Yeah mate, it’s been a wasteland for a decade
mrbrendanblack on
Unfortunately the main benefit of Docklands now is as a study in how not to do urban planning.
36 Comments
Oh wow this is crazy – was it like this pre-COVID?
Its busier weekends when events on
Shame, actually looks like a nicely built area… Guess I gotta try and find the time to go before it gets abandoned and completely shit.
Haha I make the drive here when I need to do some shopping because I know it will be nice and quiet
It looks peaceful!
It’s always been a ghost town, but Costco leaving was the final nail in the coffin.
I used to work for a restaurant chain that has a store at Docklands. They would pull in such few sales that all of the other stores in the area had to cover the costs and wages of Docklands just to keep it open.
It’s weird because it’s a beautiful space. But Docklands is too close to the city for shoppers to bother making the trip down here.
Might get a second job in one of these stores while working my WFH gig.
I love that there is a store named HYPE – it’s much needed lol
I used to run a retail store there pre COVID, it wasn’t busy but it wasn’t usually completely dead. Now it’s a ghost town
Best cinema to go to for this reason
The problem is there is no catchment. You need to pass other areas that have the same amenities to go there, thus if you’re not a docklands resident there is really no compelling reason to visit.
If you are in the city you would typically shop at city locations like QV. If you are more west you might just stay in Footscray and maybe go to Highpoint.
I went there a few months ago on a Saturday afternoon and it was like that. They have everything including a H&M and a Uniqlo, plus all the entertainment and food options, plus parking and trams right outside. I don’t really get why it’s such a ghost town
I think this was built because of the promise of how many people would buy in docklands. Yet all I hear is how half of them sut empty because of overseas investors or airbnb’s. It’s a shame that in a housing crisis, and with people wanting more employment we can’t prioritise fixing those problems over “the free market” ruining property.
[I really think free parking would really help this place out. ](https://youtu.be/ccUvL0CwQu8?si=6vHa8OZiFt-r-d7t&t=116)
Pre-COVID, I used to work nearby and took walks there often. There’s a poignant charm to be found in an empty modern shopping district that encapsulates Dockland’s failing effort to be lively despite its seemingly pristine appearance. The area is JUST a little out of the way from convenience.
I didn’t even know all this was in Docklands
I love it for parking. Cheapest in the city, easy to get to and then just a free tram ride into the city proper
Outside of O’Brien Icehouse there really isn’t any reason to go there. Most, if not all of the shops can be found in the CBD or other shopping centres that are easier to get to.
IMO it should be turned into a bigger entertainment/restaurant district and really heavily promote that that’s the place you want to be before and after events at Icehouse or Marvel. And then also have some of the smaller shops be little makers markets to provide something unique to explore.
I didn’t even realise they had a H&M there
We go to Docklands purely for the super cheap toy store (50% marked price) as its great for Kids gifts. Other than that, why would we go (live in CBD)
I stand by my opinion that Docklands shouldn’t have tried to be a destination, it should have been a high rise sububs for people who want to be close to the city, but not in the city
however I have heard comments that it has somewhat become something like that
I’m from Sydney, stay in Melb very often though. Walked down with my wife last time and I couldn’t get over how empty it was, it was such a short walk from collins and was somehow dead in the middle of the day??
It’s a shame because it’s a really nice area, had real family friendly vibes to it.
This has been a problem for so many years. Does the Melbourne city council actually have any future plans with this area? Or are they just gonna keep hemorrhaging money over its upkeep?
DISNEYLAND DOCKLANDS WHEN?!?!
Best hoyst, big woolies, next to water, food choice is also ok. Still quiet on weekends
Whenever I come here (because I have to a couple of times a month) I think of that scene from Cars where all the Radiator Springs residents are really excited over someone turning up. I think of the shop owners feeling that way.
I work in the area in a restaurant, and it’s not busy at all. The owner is always trying his best to keep the place open but is struggling to keep his head above water. He’s planning to either shut his business down or sell it ASAP. He barely covers expenses and works almost every day to keep the wages low. It’s a shame he’s got such a nice place with good food. The worst part is whenever there are any major events, the council approves food trucks along the pier, and we lose business to someone who is in the area for ten days in a whole year.
Even if it’s free rental, no shops will be rushing to open shop there. Epic fail location.
The Aunty Donna flight sim video that is filmed there is a masterclass in using editing for comedic effect.
Live in Docklands. Literally the target demographic.
But it’s easier to just do my shopping in the CBD than there.
Used to go into Docklands only for costco.
Once that left no reason to visit.
I’ve always lowkey liked Docklands, but there’s not enough reason to go over the other options around and we live pretty close by.
A small gripe is the parking cost. I’m sorry but we can just as easily go to Chadstone and not pay anything and they have way more options. They should scrap it.
I live in Docklands and love it here. It is almost like a sanctuary from the crowds in the CBD and we have access to everything with need. Agree with some of the comments here that it is hard to travel to unless you drive, but the last year I’ve seen a bigger boom in visitors due to the monthly art markets, and on school holidays it can get quite packed with families which is always fun.
Otherwise I haven’t enjoyed apartment living this much in a while (we have a lovely community). Happy to keep it as a little secret!
lived there for more than a year. I actually liked how quiet it is. Sucks for the businesses but good for living (minus the wind). I bought an apartment in the CBD and while it’s really convenient now, I really miss how quiet it is over there.
Yeah mate, it’s been a wasteland for a decade
Unfortunately the main benefit of Docklands now is as a study in how not to do urban planning.