Collingwood Melbourne Guide (2026): Smith Street, Breweries & Street Art
- Words
- Melbourne Tourism Guide
- Updated
- July 29, 2026
- Read
- 10 min
Collingwood Melbourne guide — Smith Street, craft breweries (Stomping Ground, Moon Dog), street art, the Tote, Children's Farm and Abbotsford Convent.
This article contains advertising. Our booking links are routed through a partner that adds commission tracking automatically, so if you book through one we earn a commission from the provider, at no extra cost to you. It never affects what we recommend. Affiliate disclosure
Collingwood is one of Melbourne’s most distinctive inner-north suburbs — a former working-class industrial precinct that has reinvented itself as Australia’s craft brewery capital, home to Melbourne’s most concentrated street art scene, and a bustling small-bar, music and dining destination. Just 3 km northeast of the CBD, Collingwood is where Melbourne goes for warehouse-converted breweries, Smith Street’s hipster shopping, the Collingwood Children’s Farm, the legendary live music venue The Tote, and the strip’s seemingly endless small bars.
This guide covers everything Collingwood: the best things to do, top breweries, where to eat, the famous live music scene, the Children’s Farm, Smith Street shopping, and how Collingwood compares to neighbour Fitzroy. Whether you’re spending a half-day strolling Smith Street or planning a Saturday craft brewery crawl, Collingwood is a top pick for travellers wanting an authentic local Melbourne experience.
Collingwood at a glance
| Distance from CBD | 3 km northeast |
|---|---|
| Best transport | Tram 86 (Smith Street) or train (Collingwood Station) |
| Population | ~9,500 |
| Main strip | Smith Street (Fitzroy/Collingwood border) |
| Craft breweries | 10+ within 1.5km |
| Vibe | Industrial-chic, hipster, craft beer, street art |
| Time needed | Half-day to full-day exploration |
How to get to Collingwood
By tram
Tram 86 from Bourke Street in the CBD runs the length of Smith Street — Collingwood’s main strip. From CBD to the start of Smith Street: 12-15 minutes. Tram 11 runs along Brunswick Street, the Fitzroy parallel, and is also useful for Collingwood access via the side streets.
By train
Collingwood Station (Hurstbridge and Mernda lines) is at the eastern end of the suburb. From Flinders Street: 7 minutes. From Collingwood Station, walk 5 minutes west to the Smith Street strip.
By bike
Lime e-scooters and bikes are widely available; the ride from CBD takes 10-15 minutes. Use the Capital City Trail along the Yarra River for a scenic route.
Top things to do in Collingwood
1. Walk Smith Street
Smith Street is technically the border between Fitzroy and Collingwood, but most of the action is on the Collingwood side. The 1.5 km strip between Johnston Street (south) and Alexandra Parade (north) holds 200+ shops, bars, restaurants and music venues. Walk it slowly — the small boutiques, vintage stores, bookshops and gallery spaces reward exploration. Best done Friday afternoon to Sunday for full energy.
Smith Street was named the world’s “coolest street” by Time Out in 2021 — a accolade that locals love to dispute, but which captures the strip’s quirky character.
2. Brewery crawl
Collingwood is Australia’s craft brewery capital, with 10+ breweries within a 1.5 km walking radius. The “Brewing District” along Gipps Street and Wellington Street is unique in Australia for density and quality:
- Stomping Ground Beer Hall (100 Gipps Street): Vast warehouse, 30+ taps, family-friendly with play area. Pizzas A$22-28.
- Moon Dog Brewing (270 Abbotsford Street, Abbotsford): Wild ales, sours and irreverent labels. Tours Saturday 2pm A$30.
- Bodriggy Brewing Co (245 Johnston Street): Modern lagers and IPAs in a converted warehouse.
- Hop Nation Brewery (3-7 Hood Street, Yarraville): Small-batch focus. Worth the detour.
- Mountain Goat Brewery (80 North Street, Richmond): Australia’s pioneering craft brewery (1997). Tours Friday-Saturday A$25.
- Carwyn Cellars (877 High Street, Thornbury): Bottle shop with massive craft beer cellar — useful for take-home haul.
Most breweries open from 12pm Wed-Sun and run until 11pm Friday-Saturday. Plan your crawl to start at Stomping Ground (largest, family-friendly) and end at Moon Dog (most experimental, 18+).
3. Hunt street art
Collingwood has Melbourne’s most concentrated street art outside the CBD. The streets between Smith Street and Wellington Street have walls, garage doors and laneway sides covered in murals — many from internationally-known artists like Adnate, Rone, Lush Sux and CDH. Best concentrations:
- Easey Street and Smith Street intersection
- Wellington Street and Bedford Street walls
- Peel Street between Smith and Wellington
- The Collingwood Yard precinct (35 Johnston Street)
Self-guided street art tours: download the Melbourne Street Art Society’s free walking map. Guided tours from Melbourne Street Art Tours: A$48-65 per person, Saturday and Sunday 1pm.
4. Collingwood Children’s Farm
The Collingwood Children’s Farm (18 St Heliers Street, Abbotsford) is Australia’s oldest community farm, opened 1979 on a 7-hectare site along the Yarra River. Visitors can pet animals, milk a cow, ride a tractor, and walk the river paths. Free entry; A$10 suggested donation. The Farm Café serves a popular weekend brunch (mains A$22-28).
5. Abbotsford Convent
Adjacent to the Children’s Farm, the Abbotsford Convent (1 St Heliers Street) is a 16-acre former convent now home to galleries, artist studios, cafes, and a working market garden. Free entry; weekend Slow Food Market (Saturdays 8am-1pm) is one of Melbourne’s best food markets.
6. Live music at The Tote
The Tote (71 Johnston Street) is Melbourne’s most legendary live music pub — a tiny, divey venue that has hosted local indie and rock bands since the 1980s. Cover charge A$10-25; cheap pub beers (A$8 pots). Open Tue-Sun, music most nights.
7. Vintage shopping
Smith Street is one of Melbourne’s best vintage and second-hand shopping strips. Top stores:
- Hunter Gatherer (139 Smith Street): Curated vintage clothing.
- Vinnies (220 Smith Street): Op shop with quality second-hand finds.
- Recycled Recordings (113 Smith Street): Vinyl records.
- Polyester Books (330 Smith Street): Indie zines, vintage paperbacks, alternative literature.
- Songbird Vintage (165 Smith Street): Designer vintage and retro homewares.
Where to eat in Collingwood
Brunch and cafes
- Proud Mary (172 Oxford Street): Award-winning specialty coffee roastery. Coffee A$5.50, brunch A$22-32. Often a 30-min queue Saturday morning.
- Cibi (45 Keele Street): Japanese-Australian brunch. The Japanese breakfast set (A$28) is a Melbourne icon.
- Hammer and Tong (412 Brunswick Street, Fitzroy/Collingwood border): Excellent eggs benedict (A$24).
- Café Lulu (151 Smith Street): Smaller, quieter cafe. Egg dishes A$18-24.
Lunch and dinner
- Smith & Daughters (175 Brunswick Street, Fitzroy edge): Vegan modern fusion. Mains A$30-42. Hat-mentioned. Excellent cocktail program.
- Easey’s (48 Easey Street): The “burger on a tram” gimmick — a vintage Melbourne tram parked on the rooftop, with one of the city’s most-loved burgers. A$16-22 burgers.
- Little Saint (12 Stafford Street): Modern Australian small plates. Set menu A$60-80.
- Hong Kong Dim Sim (167 Smith Street): Classic Cantonese dim sum, A$8-22 dishes.
- Mile End Bagel (107 Smith Street): Montreal-style bagels A$8-14, plus the famous “schmear” cream cheese options.
- Marion (53 Gertrude Street, Fitzroy edge): Modern Italian, hat-rated. Pasta A$28-38.
Best small bars
- Collingwood Wine Bar (65 Smith Street): Natural wines, charcuterie. A$14-22 glasses.
- The Yarra Hotel (340 Johnston Street): Casual hidden small bar with a strong cocktail program.
- The Birmingham Hotel (267 Smith Street): Small-bar pub vibe with house-made meatballs.
- Heart Attack & Vine (329 Lygon Street, Carlton edge): Tiny wine and food bar. Worth crossing borders for.
Collingwood vs Fitzroy
Collingwood and Fitzroy share Smith Street as their border — and many visitors don’t realise they’re between two suburbs. They share much of their character but have distinct atmospheres:
| Collingwood | Fitzroy | |
|---|---|---|
| Vibe | Industrial, gritty, craft beer | Bohemian, cafe-focused |
| Main strip | Smith Street (eastern side) | Brunswick Street + Smith Street (western) |
| Best for | Breweries, live music, street art | Cafes, vintage shopping, small bars |
| Architecture | Industrial warehouses, terraces | Victorian terraces, narrow streets |
| Crowds | Younger, music/beer focused | Mixed ages, brunch-focused |
Most visits combine both — walk Brunswick Street (Fitzroy) in the morning for cafes and shopping, then cross to Smith Street (Collingwood) for craft beer and live music in the evening.
Suggested half-day itinerary
- 11:00am: Brunch at Proud Mary or Cibi
- 12:30pm: Walk south down Smith Street, browsing vintage shops and bookstores
- 1:30pm: Hunt street art around Easey Street and Wellington Street
- 2:30pm: Brewery crawl — start at Stomping Ground Beer Hall, then Bodriggy or Moon Dog
- 5:00pm: Beer at the Birmingham Hotel beer garden
- 6:30pm: Dinner at Smith & Daughters or Marion
- 9:00pm: Live music at the Tote or pub at the Birmingham
Family-friendly Collingwood
Daytime Collingwood is family-friendly. The Children’s Farm (free, 7am-4:45pm), the Abbotsford Convent grounds, and the Yarra River walking trail are all kid-friendly. Stomping Ground Beer Hall has a kids’ play area and a strong food menu, making it a popular family Saturday spot. Avoid the Smith Street strip after 9pm with young children.
When to visit Collingwood
- Friday afternoon-evening (4-9pm): Strip is at peak energy.
- Saturday brunch (10am-1pm): Cafes are at their busiest. Queue at Proud Mary expected.
- Saturday afternoon (1-6pm): Best for brewery crawls and Children’s Farm.
- Sunday daytime: Quieter; the Slow Food Market at the Convent (8am-1pm) is a highlight.
- Avoid: Mondays — many restaurants and cafes are closed.
Where to stay near Collingwood
Collingwood itself has limited accommodation, but neighbouring areas have options:
- Brady Hotel Collingwood: Boutique hotel on Wellington Street. Doubles A$220-360.
- The Larwill Studio: Modern apartment-style hotel near Collingwood Station. From A$210/night.
- Stay nearby: Fitzroy and Carlton hotels are closer to the strip than CBD options.
For broader accommodation guidance, see our where to stay in Melbourne guide.
Smith Street: the beating heart
Smith Street is Collingwood’s spine and one of Melbourne’s coolest strips — once named among the world’s hippest streets. It’s packed with bars, breweries, restaurants, cafés, vintage stores and record shops, plus a strong queer scene and a creative, alternative energy. It’s the place to graze, drink, shop and people-watch, day or night. The street and its surrounding laneways are also covered in street art, rivalling neighbouring Fitzroy. Wandering Smith Street with no fixed plan, ducking into a brewery or a vintage shop, is the quintessential Collingwood experience.
Breweries and bars
Collingwood is the heart of Melbourne’s craft-beer scene, with a cluster of breweries and taprooms making it a favourite for beer lovers — you can do a self-guided brewery crawl within a few blocks. Beyond beer, the suburb has excellent laneway and cocktail bars, a buzzing nightlife and a leading role in the city’s LGBTQ+ scene around Smith Street. For live music, the area and its neighbours host some of Melbourne’s best venues. It’s a brilliant, unpretentious night out.
Food, art and shopping
Collingwood’s food scene is diverse and excellent, from cheap eats and brunch cafés to acclaimed restaurants, with strong representation of cuisines from around the world. The suburb is also a hub for art and design — galleries, studios, the Collingwood Yards creative precinct, and design and homewares stores — and for vintage and second-hand shopping. Add the Collingwood Children’s Farm and the nearby Abbotsford Convent arts and food precinct by the Yarra, and there’s genuine sightseeing here too.
Explore the inner north
Collingwood sits right beside Fitzroy, with which it shares much of its character, and close to Richmond, Carlton and Brunswick, so it’s easy to combine the inner-north and inner-east suburbs. It’s a short tram from the CBD along Smith Street or via the nearby train line — see our public transport guide. For the wider picture, our neighbourhoods guide maps the suburbs.
Frequently asked questions
Is Collingwood safe to visit?
Yes — daytime and early evening are very safe. Collingwood is one of Melbourne’s most-visited inner suburbs with strong police presence on Smith Street. Take normal big-city precautions late at night, especially in side streets.
What’s better — Collingwood or Fitzroy?
Both are excellent and share Smith Street. Collingwood is better for craft breweries, live music, and street art. Fitzroy is better for cafes, brunch and vintage shopping. Most visits combine both.
How many breweries are in Collingwood?
Collingwood and immediate neighbours (Abbotsford, Richmond, Fitzroy) have 10+ craft breweries within a 1.5km walking radius. The ‘Brewing District’ along Gipps Street is the most concentrated. Stomping Ground, Bodriggy, Moon Dog, and Hop Nation are top picks.
Is Collingwood Children’s Farm free?
Yes — entry is free with a A$10 suggested donation. Open 9am-4:45pm Wed-Sun (closed Mondays and Tuesdays). The Farm Café serves brunch and lunch.
How long should I spend in Collingwood?
Half-day (4-5 hours) for Smith Street + brunch + a brewery. Full day (8-10 hours) to include the Children’s Farm, brewery crawl and dinner with live music. Multi-day if combining with Fitzroy and Brunswick.
Is Collingwood good for first-time Melbourne visitors?
Yes — Collingwood/Fitzroy is the most authentic local Melbourne experience for visitors. The street art, craft brewery scene, live music, and small bar culture are all distinctive Melbourne. After CBD essentials, this should be your second day.
Plan your visit
Combine Collingwood with neighbouring Fitzroy and Carlton for a full inner-north day. For more inner-Melbourne neighbourhood guides, see our Fitzroy Melbourne guide, our Carlton guide, and for craft beer specifically, our best pubs in Melbourne guide. For street art, see our street art guide.