Melbourne Neighborhoods

With its streets organized neatly into a grid, Melbourne’s CBD is easy to navigate. Leafy Collins Street is the city’s commercial center as well as the site of its smartest stores. Swantson Street contains some fine Victorian architecture. Busy Bourke Street hosts the oldest pedestrian mall, where you’ll find the city’s major department stores, while Little Bourke Street is filled with the aromatic scents of Chinatown.

Once the industrial and transportation hub of Victoria, this 490-acre redevelopment with its 2 miles of river frontage today boasts a state-of-the-art marina, magnificent public spaces such as Harbor Esplanade and Dockland Park, stunning architecture, historic wharves, and a great variety of urban art, as well as numerous bars, restaurants, and cafes.

On the southern side of the Yarra River, what was once a major industrial area has been revitalized into one of Melbourne’s most popular shopping and dining precincts and is now home of the landmark Southgate Arts and Leisure Precinct. At the other end of the riverside promenade is one of the world’s largest gaming facilities – the swanky Crown Casino.

Once a red light district, St. Kilda has transformed into Melbourne’s funkiest beachside suburb. After a frenetic Friday night whirl through popular clubs and pubs, laidback weekends are spent wandering the esplanade to take in the ocean breezes, rollerblading along the beachside, or stopping via Acland Street for a satisfying breakfast or morning tea.

Long the stomping ground for listless students, creative types, and other bohemian characters, Fitzroy’s main artery, Brunswick Street, hums day and night with an eclectic mix of retro clothes shops, bookshops, galleries, cafes, restaurants, and vibrant bars and clubs. It’s also the place to find budget-friendly Asian, Greek, Moroccan, and Middle Eastern eateries.

These two neighboring suburbs are the city’s leading destinations for designer fashion and food. While South Yarra is home of Chapel Street, an up-market shopping strip lined chic boutiques and top fashion houses including many of Australia’s best designers like Colette Dinnigan, Prahran’s Greville Street where you’ll find funky vintage clothing shops and retro record stores.