Brunswick St: Getting There

Brunswick Street in Fitzroy, Melbourne, is easily accessible by bus, train or tram. The closest stations are Bell St/Brunswick St (Fitzroy), Brunswick St/Johnston St (Fitzroy), Grattan St/Rathdowne St (Carlton), Carlton Gardens/Rathdowne St (Carlton) and Fitzroy Pool/Alexandra Pde (Fitzroy). The nearest tram stations are St Georges Rd/Scotchmer St (Fitzroy North), Grant St/Queens Pde (Fitzroy North) and 20-Fitzroy Bowls Club/Brunswick St (Fitzroy North). The closest bus stations are Brunswick St/Johnston St (Fitzroy), Grattan St/Rathdowne St (Carlton), La Trobe University - City (Queen St) and City (Queen St) - Northland SC. The nearest train stations are St Georges Rd/Scotchmer St (Fitzroy North), Grant St/Queens Pde (Fitzroy North) and Rosanna Station.

Getting to Brunswick St Fitzroy by bus

There are several ways to get to Brunswick St Fitzroy by bus. The specific bus lines and routes that you can take depend on your starting point. Here are some common starting points and the corresponding bus lines that you can take:

• From Caulfield Station, Monash Uni Side, Caulfield East: No direct bus route available.
• From Preston Station, Preston: No direct bus route available.
• From Malvern Station, Malvern: No direct bus route available.
• From La Trobe Uni, Bundoora: Bus line 250.
• From Rosanna Station, Rosanna: Bus line 250.
• From Balwyn North: Bus line 200.
• From Dfo Essendon, Strathmore: No direct bus route available.
• From 60 - La Trobe University, Bundoora: Bus line 250.
• From The Pancake Parlour, Maribyrnong: No direct bus route available.
• From Westfield Airport West, Airport West: Bus line 251.
• From Swinburne University Of Technology (Hawthorn Campus), Hawthorn: No direct bus route available.
• From Tram Stop 138 - Luna Park (3a/16/96), St Kilda: Bus line 251.
• From Doncaster Park & Ride, Doncaster: Bus line 250.

In addition to the above, the following bus lines also stop near Brunswick Street: 207, 302, 304, 350, 402, 504, and 546.

Please note that the information provided here may be subject to change and may not be up-to-date due to various factors such as construction or detours. It is always a good idea to check with official public transportation websites or use journey planners like Google Maps for the most accurate and up-to-date information.

Getting to Brunswick St Fitzroy by train

Getting to Brunswick St, Fitzroy by train is a straightforward process. The suburb is serviced by several train lines, including the Craigieburn, Cranbourne, Frankston, Hurstbridge, Mernda, Pakenham, Sunbury, Alamein, and Lilydale lines. The nearest stations to Brunswick Street are the 15-Bell St/Brunswick St (Fitzroy) stop, which is just a 1-minute walk away, and the Brunswick St/Johnston St (Fitzroy) stop, which is a 4-minute walk away.

If you're coming from another part of Melbourne, there are several stations that can be used as departure points. For example, if you're coming from Caulfield Station (Monash Uni Side), the train ride will take approximately 37 minutes. Starting from Preston Station, the journey will take 39 minutes, while from Malvern Station, it will take 37 minutes. For those coming from La Trobe Uni, the travel time is 74 minutes, and from Rosanna Station, it's 44 minutes.

It's important to note that Fitzroy itself hasn't had a train station since 1888, but it is well-connected via tram and bus services, which complement the train network. The number 11 tram runs through the heart of Fitzroy, and the 96 tram runs from Brunswick East to St Kilda Beach, passing through Fitzroy. Additionally, there are several bus lines that service the area, providing further connectivity.

Getting to Brunswick St Fitzroy by tram

Brunswick Street in Fitzroy is one of the most vibrant streets in Melbourne, known for its live music venues, cafes, and alternative fashion shops. The best way to get to Brunswick Street is by tram, and there are several tram lines that can take you there.

The number 11 tram runs through the heart of Fitzroy, along St Georges Road and Brunswick Street, all the way to Victoria Parade. This tram line also connects to other popular destinations in Melbourne, such as St Vincent's Hospital, Melbourne Town Hall, and Southern Cross Station. The 11 tram has a stop at "Fitzroy Bowls Club/Brunswick St", which is just a 2-minute walk from Brunswick Street.

Another convenient tram line is the 96 tram, which runs from Brunswick East to St Kilda Beach, passing through Fitzroy. This tram line is perfect if you want to get to Johnston, Moor, or Gertrude Street. The closest stop to Brunswick Street on the 96 tram line is "Reid St/Nicholson St", which is about a 7-minute walk away.

In addition to the 11 and 96 tram lines, the 86 tram also stops near Brunswick Street. The nearest stations to Brunswick Street are "Bell St/Brunswick St" and "Brunswick St/Johnston St", which are just a 1-minute and 4-minute walk away, respectively.

To plan your trip and get real-time updates on tram arrivals, you can use the Yarra Trams app, tramTRACKER®, or the Moovit app, which provides step-by-step directions and live arrival times for all public transportation options in Melbourne.

The history of Brunswick St Fitzroy

Brunswick Street, believed to be named after Captain Brunswick Smythe, owes its origins to Benjamin Baxter, who owned land along Victoria Parade in what was then known as Newtown (now Fitzroy South). In 1839, Baxter subdivided his land, creating the roads that would become Brunswick Street and Gertrude Street.

Initially, Brunswick Street only ran as far as what is now Hanover Street, Fitzroy. In 1840, further subdivisions extended the street north to Bell Street (originally Hamburg Street). The street was officially proclaimed in 1851, by which time it extended as far as Reilly Street (now Alexandra Parade).

Shops appeared on the southern end of Brunswick Street as early as the 1840s, and by 1854, the strip rivalled Bourke Street as a shopping district. In the 1880s, Brunswick Street became the main commercial sector of Fitzroy, with Smith Street as a close second.

After World War II, large numbers of immigrants, mainly from Mediterranean Europe, settled in the inner suburbs of Melbourne, including Fitzroy. Among them were many Italians, who imported espresso machines and established the foundations of Melbourne's café culture.

By the 1980s and 1990s, the suburb of Fitzroy had become a casualty of gentrification. The few remaining regular shops closed and were replaced by cafés, fashion boutiques, and bars. Despite this, many heritage buildings and examples of Victorian-era architecture have lasted through the decades, playing a key role in the area's ambience.

Things to do on Brunswick St Fitzroy

Brunswick Street in Fitzroy, Melbourne, is a hub of activity, with plenty of things to see and do. Here's a list of suggestions to keep you entertained:

Eating and Drinking

Brunswick Street is known for its eclectic dining options, ranging from cheap eats to swanky cocktail bars. Here are some places to whet your appetite:

• Madame Sous Sous – a popular French bistro with a sexy Parisian feel.
• Vegie Bar – serving rustic, home-style vegetarian food that's been a hit with veggies and meat-eaters alike for over 20 years.
• Mario's – a stalwart of the Melbourne dining scene, offering no-fuss, great-value food with an Italian twist.
• B'Stilla Cantina – the coolest spot to dine on casual Moroccan and Spanish dishes. It's the sister restaurant to a South Yarra favourite.
• Blue Chillis – a friendly and cosy restaurant serving up authentic Malaysian food and celebrating its 16th birthday.
• Babka – an Eastern European heritage café and bakery.
• The Commoner – a hybrid restaurant and wine bar known for its modern British food with a Moorish twist.
• Hammer and Tong – a casual breakfast and lunch spot famous for its soft-shell crab burgers.
• Brother Burger and the Marvellous Brew – reportedly the best burgers on Brunswick Street.
• Little Creatures Dining Hall – an 'industrial chic' beer hall with good food to accompany fine brews.
• The Provincial – a warm and friendly bar with shabby-chic decor and European-inspired food.
• Naked For Satan – a unique Spanish Pintxos bar where you can snack on small tapas-style dishes. Head upstairs to their rooftop bar for cocktails and perfect views of Melbourne.
• The Napier Hotel – a backstreet local pub with classic pub grub.
• Polly – a fabulous cocktail bar with opulent interiors.
• The Kodiak Club – a celebration of American culture, specialising in whiskey cocktails and Yankee-style bar food.
• Libation – a small and cosy bar with a relaxed vibe.
• Black Pearl – a moody, retro-inspired bar with one of Melbourne's best cocktail lists.
• Bimbo Deluxe – popular with the younger crowd for its cheap pizzas and extensive range of flavoured vodkas.

Shopping

Brunswick Street is also a great place to indulge in some retail therapy, with a mix of creative boutiques, vintage shops and markets. Here are some spots to check out:

• Rose Street Artists' Market – open on Saturdays and Sundays, this small market showcases creative wares from local artists and has a lovely community vibe.
• Brunswick Street Bookstore – a great range of design, photography, art and architecture titles. Head upstairs to Mag Nation for a large selection of magazines.
• Wilkins and Kent – gifts and homewares from locally produced designers.
• Kleins Perfumery – a romantic boudoir specialising in niche fragrances.
• Clear It Factory Outlet – 'cheap as chips' designer wear from brands like Alannah Hill, Dangerfield and Revival.
• Zetta Florence – beautiful designer stationery and paper products.

Attractions

In between eating, drinking and shopping, there are plenty of other attractions to keep you entertained on Brunswick Street:

• Centre for Contemporary Photography – a gallery showcasing a diverse range of contemporary photo-based art exhibitions from local and international artists.
• Fitzroy Swimming Pool – an iconic Melbourne spot, featuring a 50-metre outdoor heated pool, a toddlers' pool and a recreation area.
• Fitzroy Town Hall – a stunning example of Classical Victorian design, built in the 1870s and now a popular venue for formal events.
• Australian Print Workshop – a unique centre providing printmaking facilities and classes for artists, with a gallery showcasing limited-edition fine art prints.
• Printmaker Gallery – an art gallery showcasing a range of artists, including well-known names like Charles Blackman and Michael Leunig.

Frequently asked questions