Which Melbourne suburb is best for working holiday makers?

Picture the scene. You’ve read our article on which Australian city to start your WHV in and you’ve settled on Melbourne. You start researching our tips on finding accommodation and looking for the best places to live. It’s easy to fall in love with the beautiful views of the Docklands or upmarket South Yarra… But then you see the cost of living in these suburbs and realise they probably aren’t going to work on a backpacker budget! So, where is best to settle in Melbourne if you’re on a WHV?

I spent ten months living in Melbourne, using a mix of Airbnbs, sublets and petsitting as an alternative to signing a long-term lease. As a result, I moved around a lot—on average, twice a month. It’s safe to say I spent time in more suburbs than many locals ever have, so everywhere on this list comes tried and tested from a fellow backpacker! Plus, I’ve included a handy map with all the locations pinned, so you can work out exactly where they are in relation to the city centre (CBD).

St Kilda

St Kilda is a bit of a Marmite (Vegemite?) suburb, especially with locals, but there’s no denying it’s perfect for someone on a WHV. It’s very popular with backpackers, so if you’re looking for ways to make friends on your WHV, this is the place to find other working holiday makers. Whether you want to experience hostel life or find others to rent a house with, there will be no shortage of travellers to connect with in St Kilda.

There are plenty of options for events and nightlife, so it’s perfect if you want the noise of the CBD without the high cost of CBD rent. It’s also on the beach—you have to lower your expectations, as this is not one of Australia’s most beautiful island paradises, but it’s about as good as you’re going to get for a Melbourne beach.

Be aware that some parts of St Kilda do not have the best reputation. Thoroughly check out the house and surrounding streets before signing any kind of lease to make sure you’re staying in a safe area.

Brunswick

Brunswick—or Brunny, as it’s lovingly referred to—is a hipster’s paradise. The streets are an eclectic mix of vintage shops and multicultural eateries; one of the most popular places in Brunswick is A1 Lebanese bakery, which regularly has long queues. It’s an inclusive suburb where everyone can be themselves, and it became one of my personal favourites. I deliberately started building up a petsitting client-base in Brunswick to avoid having to leave!

My only complaint is that, depending on which part of Brunswick you’re in, you might have a nightmare getting around during rush hour. Some locations are only served by the tram, which moves at a snail’s pace in heavy traffic. If possible, try to find a room/house share near the train station, which bypasses the traffic and reaches the CBD much faster.

Northcote, Thornbury and Preston

These three suburbs are close to each other and all just as great. They’re adjacent to Brunswick, both on the map and in terms of a similar “hip” atmosphere. You can find plenty of cafes and bars running up the High Street, with notable Greek and Italian influences in this part of Melbourne. The further north you go, the better the rent prices, as Northcote is the most expensive of these three options.

Fitzroy and Collingwood

These two suburbs are popular with locals and backpackers alike. The vibe is generally cool, artsy and youthful. There’s always something going on, from boozy brunches to rooftop bars. Fitzroy is home to several craft and food markets, and also the best Lune croissanterie location (yes, these croissants are worth the hype and the queues!). Although Melbourne doesn’t have a specific gay neighbourhood, Fitzroy and Collingwood are some of the most LGBT-friendly suburbs in the city.

My pro tip is, much like with Brunswick, consider your location. Collingwood has a train station, which makes it easier to get around at peak times. In Fitzroy, you’re stuck with the tram!

While neither suburb should be considered notoriously unsafe, I did experience/witness more typical city issues (people on the streets or trams taking drugs, getting into fights, harassment, etc.) here than in some of the other suburbs further away from the CBD.

Richmond

The only suburb to really sway me from being a Northern suburbs girl was Richmond. It’s close to the CBD and there are endless options for food and drink. Be aware, however, that Richmond is a big and varying suburb. There are distinct parts of Richmond that are expensive and high-class, and other parts that are less expensive, but also far less safe. Be careful which specific area you pick when looking for housing here. I rented on the edge of the Richmond-Hawthorn border, which was much more affordable, and I found it generally safe to walk around (even at night).

Malvern East

Its neighbouring suburb Malvern falls on the pricier side of Melbourne housing, but Malvern East has some more affordable options, thanks to being that bit further away from the CBD. It’s more of a residential area but you aren’t too far away from the bars and restaurants in Malvern. Maybe most importantly, you’re near one of Melbourne’s major shopping centres, Chadstone (Chaddy in Aussie lingo, of course).

Pro tip: Pronounce it “Mall-vern” to fit in with the locals!

Greensborough

Nobody really talks about Greensborough; I wouldn’t have even found out about this suburb without petsetting. I’m surprised it’s not more highly recommended, however! It’s slightly further afield than the other suburbs listed but the benefits to Greensborough are:

• the suburb is peaceful, quiet and full of green spaces, so you don’t feel like you’re living in a city
• the prices are generally lower than the CBD. You can get a larger room/house for the same amount of money you’d spend on a small room/studio in the CBD
• the transport links are good; during peak times, the express train service can get you downtown faster than closer suburbs like Brunswick would on the tram!

It’s not the best area if you’re into nightlife or partying, but if you prefer a mix of city-living and nature, Greensborough has the perfect balance.