The Ian Potter Southbank Centre — Attraction in Melbourne

I visited The Ian Potter Southbank Centre in June 2025 to watch a friend’s final performance for his university degree. The venue is used by a local university to host and adjudicate student showcases, and we were lucky enough to attend one of these events. We arrived by Uber, which made the trip fuss free, but the venue is also easily accessible via public transport. There are tram stops right out front and Flinders Street Station is just a short walk away. For those driving in, paid parking is available nearby at Federation Square or around Crown.

Finding the centre was easy, there’s a large sign out the front and an accessible entry with automatic doors leading into the foyer. The foyer itself is beautiful, with high ceilings and a soft, neutral colour palette that makes the space feel warm and welcoming. There’s plenty of seating, including circular booths tucked further back. We grabbed one of the round tables at the front and sat outside for a chat before the show began. It appeared there were at least two performance spaces inside, though only one was in use for the university show. We saw a few musicians warming up and moving between spaces with their instruments before we were invited inside to watch.

The auditorium was modest in size, with several rows of seating, though mostly empty as the audience consisted only of friends, family, and a panel of judges. There was an upper balcony that may have housed sound or lighting technicians, as we could make out some movement and equipment in the shadows. The stage itself wasn’t elevated, but it featured stunning floorboards and a curtain backdrop. On stage were five instruments, a piano, bass guitar, drum kit, and two saxophones. They were all played wonderfully by talented student musicians. The acoustics in the auditorium were superb, with sound beautifully balanced and enhanced by the room’s thoughtful design.

Visually, the space was clean, polished, and well cared for, with a sleek, modern finish throughout. Toilets are located at the back of the foyer and were spotless and modern, with clean, well maintained facilities. There’s also an alternate entrance and what looks to be a courtyard out the back, though we didn’t explore that area during our visit.

Overall, I was really impressed with The Ian Potter Southbank Centre. It’s a clean, stylish, and versatile venue that seems perfect for student performances and, I’d imagine, many other types of events too. I’d love to find out more about what else is hosted here and return for more shows in the future. I hear it’s a great space for students to practice and perform which I love that this...

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