Schmap Melbourne Neighborhood Guide

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Melbourne - Neighborhood Guide
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Melbourne Home
Schmap Melbourne guide and map

Melbourne is a city of neighbourhoods. Italian or Chinese, groovy or chic, bohemian or beachside--Melbourne has them all. Each has its own character instilled by the type of people who live and work there--émigrés from all over the world who have brought their customs, beliefs, businesses, food, art and style to the city.

The Central Business District

Laid out as a grid, the city centre is easy to navigate. The modern skyline of the financial district contrasts with well-preserved Victorian architecture, and the alleyways and arcades that snake through the city give it all charm and character. Swanston Street, a pedestrian mall generally considered to be the city's main drag, runs from the ornate 19th century domes of Flinders Street Station to the gleaming, billion dollar Melbourne Central Shopping Complex. The stretch of Collins Street between Swanston and Spring Streets is a more exclusive shopping strip. Known as "the Paris end" of the city, it is home to luxury boutiques, prestige offices and hotels. Running parallel is Bourke Street, the oldest and most successful pedestrian precinct where major department stores, such as David Jones and Myer, are located. The entrance to Melbourne's Chinatown in Little Bourke Street, a block away, is marked by an ornate Chinese arch. Spilling into the surrounding alley ways, it is one of the oldest in the world outside Asia, and is home to a fascinating variety of restaurants and grocery stores. The area between Swanston and Spencer Streets is nine-to-five territory, Australia's corporate heartland and headquarters of many of its largest enterprises. Ambitious plans are afoot to further extend this area by redeveloping the derelict warehouses of the adjacent docklands. The Colonial Stadium was the first project to be unveiled and if the developers have their way, the world's tallest building will soon follow. To the south and east lies a vast and beautifully maintained belt of parkland, containing the Fitzroy Gardens and the Melbourne Cricket Ground, with the Royal Botanical Gardens lying just across the Yarra River.

Southbank

On the southern bank of the muddy and surprisingly narrow river lies the landmark Victorian Arts Centre and the chic Southgate shopping and dining precinct. Further along is the glitzy Crown Entertainment Complex offering 24-hours of entertainment, luxury stores, nightclubs, eateries and one of the world's largest gaming facilities. Hugely controversial, it is one of the city's most popular, and popularly detested, sites. Whether the locals like it or not, it is also Melbourne's favourite visitor attraction. Directly opposite is the state of the art aquarium, the Convention Centre and Exhibition Centre.

Prahran and South Yarra

Just out of the city are Prahran and South Yarra, names often used interchangeably for roughly the same area. Home to Chapel Street, lined with boutiques and nightclubs, this is Melbourne's favourite playground and is packed every weekend with young people out for only one thing--fun! Saturday nights see the street grind to a halt and transform into a traffic jam disco, as cars blare top volume techno music, while the gay strip along Commercial Road also buzzes. The funkier, more relaxed Greville Street is home of vintage fashion stores, a weekend market and the venerable Continental Cafe. South of Prahran is Toorak, synonymous with discreet wealth, and home to many top executives.

St Kilda

Further out is St Kilda, which has transformed from a shabby red light district to a bayside resort, and is now a popular place for backpackers and Melburnians on a sunny weekend. The attraction is not so much the mediocre beach as the lively street life along Acland and Fitzroy Streets. Parts of the area still have a mildly seedy feel—that is definitely part of the attraction--but it also boasts Luna Park, an ornate and historic funfair along the waterfront, a lovely pier, weekend craft market, and the Esplanade and Prince of Wales hotels.

Carlton

Just north of the city is Carlton. Many of the quaint Victorian terrace houses have been converted into student accommodation for the nearby university, and the district's cafés and bookstores buzz with life. The new Melbourne Museum is located here in the beautiful Carlton Gardens. Lygon Street, arguably the city's premier dining strip, is home to a large Italian community, as well as restaurants serving cuisines of Malaysia, Japan, Vietnam and even Jamaica.

Fitzroy

Even more cosmopolitan is Brunswick Street, one of Melbourne's liveliest and most distinctive streets. Originally a working class neighbourhood, it has emerged as the heartland of bohemian café culture, humming night and day with colourful bars, nightclubs and restaurants of every description, as well as funky and unconventional stores. Running parallel a few blocks down, Smith Street retains a grittier edge, with long-time local residents, refugees and the down and out mixing with the patrons of its cafés and music venues.

Williamstown and other areas

A little further out, but easily accessible by ferry or train, lies the old town of Williamstown--once a vital port. This quiet residential suburb has recently regained favour after many years in decline. Picturesque and historic streets, views over the sea and pride in bygone days attract hundreds of weekend visitors. An information centre advises on the many things to do and see.

Once home to Greek immigrants, Richmond more recently has become known as “Little Saigon” with a growing Vietnamese community opening restaurants and shops along Victoria Street. The factory outlet stores of Bridge Road and Swan Street attract those in the know seeking bargain buys.

Tree lined streets and beautiful town houses distinguish South Melbourne, popular both for its market and its growing breakfast café scene. Port Melbourne is being transformed from derelict docks to inner city dwellings while Albert Park is home to the Grand Prix and is a popular spot for joggers and dog walkers around its artificial lake.

Melbourne is her neighbourhoods, and it is only through exploring them that visitors will get a feel for the underlying beauty of this vibrant multicultural city.

Copyright 1999-2005 Wcities, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Contact Wcities

Bayside

Melbourne
Australia

Bayside encompasses both sprawling suburbs and more peaceful beachfront villages, offering the best of both worlds. The beach stretches on for miles in this district, and many choose to enjoy some of the top golf courses in the area in addition to swimming. A popular tourist spot, Bayside houses many hotels and inns to accommodate all those who choose to vacation and relax in the town. Known for its natural beauty, Bayside is a great place to swim, walk, bird-watch, ride horses, or golf. Melbourne's cultural diversity continues to be apparent in the Bayside district, and a wealth of different cafes and restaurants cater to every kind of taste.

Review © 2007, Wcities

Photo: David Stephensen

Photo: Dan Fill

Photo: Marcus Crafter

Photo: Marco Salazar

Photo: Sacha Fernandez

Photo: Robert Marko

Carlton

Melbourne
Australia
Just north of the city is Carlton. Many of the quaint Victorian terrace houses have been converted into student accommodation for the nearby university, and the district's cafés and bookstores buzz with life. The new Melbourne Museum is located here in the beautiful Carlton Gardens. Lygon Street, arguably the city's premier dining strip, is home to a large Italian community, as well as restaurants serving the cuisines of Malaysia, Japan, Vietnam and even Jamaica.

Review © 2007, Wcities

Photo: Janice Lo
Photo: Janice Lo

City Centre

Melbourne
Australia
The modern skyline of the financial district contrasts with Victorian architecture, and the alleyways and arcades that snake through the city give it charm and character. Swanston Street, a pedestrian mall considered to be the city's main drag, runs from the ornate 19th-century domes of Flinders Street Station to the gleaming, billion dollar Melbourne Central Shopping Complex. Collins Street is known as "the Paris end" of the city: it is home to luxury boutiques, prestige offices and hotels. The entrance to Melbourne's Chinatown in Little Bourke Street, a block away, is marked by an ornate Chinese arch. Spilling into the surrounding alleyways, it is one of the oldest in the world outside Asia. The area between Swanston and Spencer Streets is nine-to-five territory, Australia's corporate heartland and headquarters of many of its largest enterprises.

Review © 2007, Wcities

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Fitzroy

Melbourne
Australia
Even more cosmopolitan is Brunswick Street, one of Melbourne's liveliest and most distinctive streets. Originally a working class neighbourhood, it has emerged as the heartland of bohemian café culture, humming night and day with colourful bars, nightclubs and restaurants of every description, as well as funky and unconventional stores. Running parallel a few blocks down, Smith Street retains a grittier edge, with long-time local residents, refugees and the down and out mixing with the patrons of its cafés and music venues.

Review © 2007, Wcities

Photo: Steven Pam
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Inner East

Melbourne
Australia
The Inner East portion of Melbourne features breathtaking beaches, as well as lots of dining and shopping possibilities. South Yarra, located within Melbourne's Inner East district, is the fashion hub for all of the city. Here the rich and famous come to relax and enjoy life outside of their home country, and it is not uncommon to spot celebrities while cruising through the streets. Chapel Street is an especially popular place to people-watch, and it's a common pasttime to grab a beer or cappuccino in a restaurant and sit outside, watching the hustle and bustle of Melbourne's answer to Rodeo Drive.

Review © 2007, Wcities

Photo: Yorck Diergarten
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Photo: John LeBlanc

Inner West

Melbourne
Australia
Melbourne West is a diverse locale situated west of the Maribyrnong River featuring numerous possibilities for outdoor activities and also several attractive residential areas. The Footscray Community Arts Centre is located along the river, within land traditionally held by the Bunarong people. The Arts Centre, established in 1974, enjoys an international reputation as a leading institution in the instruction and showcasing of art, and is a delightful place to visit for the whole family. The Centre also tends to focus on the celebration of cultural diversity, highly appropriate in the ethnically diverse city of Melbourne.

Review © 2007, Wcities

Photo: Fiona Graham

Prahran and South Yarra

Melbourne
Australia
Just out of the city are Prahran and South Yarra, names often used interchangeably for roughly the same area. Home to Chapel Street, lined with boutiques and nightclubs, this is Melbourne's favourite playground and is packed every weekend with young people out for only one thing--fun! Saturday nights see the street grind to a halt and transform into a traffic jam disco, as cars blare top volume techno music, while the gay strip along Commercial Road also buzzes. The funkier, more relaxed Greville Street is home of vintage fashion stores, a weekend market and the venerable Continental Cafe. South of Prahran is Toorak, synonymous with discreet wealth and home to many top executives.

Review © 2007, Wcities

Photo: Andrew North
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Photo: Rachael Robb
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Richmond

Melbourne
Australia
Once home to Greek immigrants, Richmond more recently has become known as "Little Saigon" with a growing Vietnamese community opening restaurants and shops along Victoria Street. The factory outlet stores of Bridge Road and Swan Street attract those in the know seeking bargain buys.

Review © 2007, Wcities

Photo: Trapped In A Suit
Photo: Trapped In A Suit
Photo: Caitlin O'Brien
Photo: Caitlin O'Brien

Southbank

Melbourne
Australia
On the southern bank of the muddy and surprisingly narrow river lies the landmark Victorian Arts Centre and the chic Southgate shopping and dining precinct. Further along is the glitzy Crown Entertainment Complex offering a 24-hours of entertainment, luxury stores, nightclubs, eateries and one of the world's largest gaming facilities. Hugely controversial, it is one of the city's most popular, and popularly detested, sites. Whether the locals like it or not, it is also Melbourne's favourite visitor attraction. Directly opposite is the state-of-the-art aquarium, the Convention Centre and Exhibition Centre.

Review © 2007, Wcities

Photo: bebluno
Photo: Scott Sandars
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Photo: Andrew Foster
Photo: James

Photo: Claudine Chionh
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Photo: Fiona Mulrooney

St. Kilda

Melbourne
Australia
Further out is St. Kilda, which has transformed from a shabby red-light district to a bayside resort and is now a popular place for backpackers and Melburnians on a sunny weekend. The attraction is not so much the mediocre beach as the lively street life along Acland and Fitzroy Streets. Parts of the area still have a mildly seedy feel--that is definitely part of the attraction--but it also boasts Luna Park, an ornate and historic funfair along the waterfront, a lovely pier, weekend craft market, and the Esplanade and Prince of Wales hotels.

Review © 2007, Wcities

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Williamstown

Melbourne
Australia
A little further out, but easily accessible by ferry or train, lies the old town of Williamstown--once a vital port. This quiet residential suburb has recently regained favour after many years in decline. Picturesque and historic streets, views over the sea and pride in bygone days attract hundreds of weekend visitors. An information centre advises on the many things to do and see.

Review © 2007, Wcities

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