Fitzroy

Inner-suburban Fitzroy is home to Melbourne's bohemian culture. Its streets contain an edgy mix of alternative, artistic and trendy elements, and it is also one of the focal points for the annual Melbourne Fringe Festival, a celebration of the independent arts scene, held throughout September.

Brunswick Street
Quaint and quirky shops, and eclectic art on offer in studios, galleries and workshops, are complemented by colourful public art. Wander through pop culture at alternative bookstore Polyester Books or browse through second-hand stores to find a bargain. Just off Brunswick Street, every Saturday the Rose Street Artists' Market showcases over 70 of Melbourne's best designers and artists.

Brunswick Street's cool cafes, restaurants, pubs and boisterous bars offer anything at any time, serving all-day breakfasts and coming alive at night with crowds of locals turning up to eat, drink and enjoy themselves.

Gertrude Street
This street has everything from contemporary and retro fashion to art galleries such as the Australian Print Workshop, and specialty bookshops such as Artisan Books to architectural antiques at amor y locura. Its endless range of restaurants, cafes and bars such as Birdman Eating and Gertrudes Brown Couch, offers something for all tastes.

Smith Street and Johnston Street
An interesting multicultural streetscape that's known for its vegetarian and whole foods, you'll also find plenty of budget-friendly Asian, Greek, Moroccan and Middle Eastern eateries on Smith Street, as well as an increasing number of stores stocking local designer wares. Johnston Street, Melbourne's Spanish Quarter, offers a range of tapas and flamenco bars. In November the street is closed for the two-day Hispanic-Latin-American festival.

How to get there
By tram: Number 112 from Collins Street or Number 86 from Bourke Street.