Your Guide to the Northern Suburbs of Melbourne

Hozier Lane and the CBD laneways aside, Melbourne owes its status of ‘cool’ to the city’s Northern suburbs.

These ‘hip’ and trendy areas offer a booming coffee culture and a quirky bar scene. Visit the Northern Suburbs to see the backbone of Melbourne’s cool, eclectic nature.

The northern suburbs of Melbourne are well known as the city’s ‘hip’, trendy areas.

Slate grey, exposed brick and Victorian roofing, the Northern Suburbs offer a slice of urban gentrification. Don’t be fooled by its grey industrial colours, the culture is vivid and there are plenty of events and things to do in these areas.

The Northern suburbs offer op shops like no other. They are a discombobulation, a mashup of many different types of businesses all coexisting on the same street.

The Northern Suburbs are…

• Brunswick
• Fitzroy
• Carlton
• Preston
• Coburg

Brunswick

Split into Brunswick and Brunswick East, the suburb of Brunswick is a melting pot of multicultural eateries, quirky bars and music venues. Sydney Road is the bustling backbone of Brunswick, while Lygon Street, which is the street parallel to Sydney Road, offers more of a sophisticated wine bar scene.

Warehouse converted buildings, gentrified hidden coffee shops using recycled materials and plenty of second-hand stores, Brunswick is a chilled suburb with plenty going on. It’s the epicentre of things to do in the Northern Suburbs.

Sydney Road is an eclectic melting pot, a hub for second-hand clothing stores, street art stamped on every corner, and cool hipster bars. Parallel to Sydney Road, you’ll find Lygon Street, which cuts through Carlton and then Brunswick East. Lygon Street is home to some swish cocktail bars, urban wineries, plant stores and event spaces.

Fitzroy

Fitzroy is full of swish restaurants and single-fronted, Victorian-esque eateries. think small boutique venues, small wine bars and high-end hat restaurants. Look up, and you’ll catch a contrast between the pretty Victorian architecture with urban artwork and graffiti. Catch the Fitzroy Markets, which are on every weekend, day 9 am until 3 pm.

Carlton

Carlton is part of the Northern fringe of the CBD.

Highlights include The Nova Cinema, Brunetti and a line of Italian restaurants. Take a wander along the streets in the evening to experience the hustle and bustle of Carlton.

Coburg

Coburg is a very Northern suburb which is slightly more residential than its southern counterparts, but it’s home to the Pentridge Complex. You can take a Pentridge Prison tour through the old prison, or you can catch a movie at the Palace Cinema at the Pentridge Complex.

Preston

For some quality food, check out the Preston Markets. There’s a whole array of different cuisines that you can sample at the Preston Markets, so get yourself over to the markets for some tasty cuisines from all over the world.

Catch comedy at one of the many comedy venues, go shopping, catch some artwork, sample some tasty food, or sip on some coffee.