Marnie Vinall

Fitzroy is an eclectic suburb with a rich history etched into its old pubs and gay bars, narrow streets and terrace houses, long-lasting retailers and modern wine bars that have kept the old decor. The suburb was once long associated with the working class and was known to have a bohemian vibe but became a casualty of gentrification in the ’80s and ’90s. Yet despite undergoing urban revitalisation, many heritage buildings and Victorian-era architecture have lasted through the decades and play a key role in the area’s ambience – right next to the street art.  You’ll find various characters within Fitzroy’s nooks, including many students, young professionals and those of the older generation that have called the community home for decades. It’s economically diverse too, having one of Melbourne’s largest public housing complexes while also putting up some of the most exxy rent in all of the city. It’s hard to pigeonhole the area but, after all, why would you want to? The traditional custodians of the land are the Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung of the Kulin Nation and the Kulin name for the area is Ngár-go, meaning high ground. Jump to a section: EAT DRINK COFFEE SHOPPING THINGS TO DO What’s Fitzroy known for? Fitzroy is known to be a cultural hub with a vibrant heart and is celebrated for its unconventional, arty and eccentric nature. Head along Gertrude Street and you’ll be met with designer shops and independent retailers nestled beside bars known for their drag bingo and queer nigh