Live. Love. Melbourne

What is it about the suburbs? Once deemed a cultural wasteland, suburban areas are enjoying a renaissance, with travellers swapping the city lights for the slow burn of the sprawl. Whether it’s the desire to get to know the local way of life or just a yearning for authenticity, instead of being ‘stuck in’ the ‘burbs, travellers are now getting stuck into the ‘burbs. Sure, Melbourne’s urban core has enough to keep visiting punters happy but it doesn’t have a stronghold on the cool scene. Just like New York’s five boroughs, Melbourne’s inner suburbs are hip, happening, and have a distinct, almost-tribal identity that travellers are picking up on. Luckily, Melbourne’s trams, trains and nifty bike sharing system are on the ready to get you there, whichever way the wind blows.

North: Fitzroy, Collingwood, Clifton Hill, Northcote, Carlton, Brunswick

This is where the greenie, leftie, eco-conscious, artsy tribe live, work and play. Independent book stores, gritty street art, record stores, vintage shopping and live music proliferate in these parts, as do bike lanes, green space and vegan restaurants. You won’t find many air-conditioned malls here, with strip shopping and markets the preferred form of retail. Rose Street Artists’ Market in Fitzroy is a weekend institution for locals and visitors alike, and a top place to score an oh-so-Melbourne keepsake or gift.

Music of all varieties is a big part of local life in these parts, with live music institution The Tote delivering rock, punk and metal, while Fitzroy’s Night Cat is the domain of Latin beats and smooth, salsa moves. Back street ‘footy pubs’ typically serve up schnitzels and brews with a side of folk or country. In winter, the old fireplaces crackle, but in summer the beer gardens overflow with cider and sunshine. Over in Carlton, Lygon Street may be considered ground zero for Italian dining, yet many of the best food and wine finds are in surrounding streets with Rathdowne Village’s low-key, cash-only Gerald’s Bar delivering food, wine and imported beer minus the hype. This is one area where straying from the main street pays serious dividends.

West: Yarraville, Seddon, Williamstown, Footscray

An area with working class roots but an eye on the future, Melbourne’s west is often overlooked despite its wealth of diversity. The hub of Yarraville is a compact collection of shops clinging to the Art Deco glory of the Sun Theatre, an old-school movie house known for its comfy couch seating and artisan choc-top selection. Wine bars, cafés and speciality shops are neatly dissected by a train line that cuts straight through the village. Forget tunnels and overhead bridges for pedestrians – Yarraville still relies on white wooden boom gates and level crossings, nailing the ‘quaint village feel’.

Footscray was once considered by some to be ‘on the wrong side of tracks’. However Footscray has earned some street cred of late thanks its solid food scene. A haven of cheap eats, Footscray’s migrant population has ensured it’s become a foodie hotspot for global fare. For anyone unafraid to swap fine dining for budget-friendly banquets, Footscray is the real deal - plastic table cloths and all.

At the end of the rail line, you’ll find the port of Williamstown. This is where shipping containers and cargo ships mix with luxury yachts and fish and chip shops. A walk or bike ride along the waterfront reveals maritime history, black swans, old mariner’s cottages, and locals going for their daily jog. Pro tip: skip the train and take the ferry to Williamstown for a dose of fresh salt air.