Bundoora, Kingsbury and Macleod

The word Bundoora is derived from a 19th-century Wurundjeri tribesman. Kingsbury was named after Bruce Kingsbury and Macleod after Malcolm Macleod.

Bundoora is located 16kms north of the city and home to campuses for RMIT and La Trobe University, so there are students living alongside long-term families who enjoy the space of the suburb.

The word Bundoora is derived from "Kelbundoora", the name of a 19th-century Wurundjeri tribesman. At the 2011 Census, Bundoora had a population of 25,709.

Kingsbury was named after Bruce Kingsbury VC, who died in Papua New Guinea during the Second World War. This suburb is 12 km north-east from the CBD and at the 2011 Census had a population of 3,362.

At the 2011 Census, Macleod had a population of 9,606 and is 14km north-east from Melbourne's CBD. Macleod was named after Malcolm Macleod, who acquired land in the area in 1903.

What's happening in Bundoora, Kingsbury and Macleod?

Find out the latest news and developments going on in your neighbourhood from park upgrades to major planning developments. Keep informed and get involved!

  • La Trobe Glider - A new free bus service for students and the community travelling in a loop around the La Trobe University campus. Runs Monday-Friday from 8.30am to 9.30pm.

Getting around

Bundoora, Kingsbury and Macleod are well connected by public transport. Travelling to La Trobe University and RMIT Bundoora Campus by public transport is quick and easy.

Bundoora

Train: No station in Bundoora, nearest - Keon Park Station (South Morang Line) or Macleod Station (Hurstbridge Line)
Tram: Route 86
Bus: Route 564, Route 548, Route 570, LaTrobe Glider
Walking and Cycling: Darebin Creek Trail, Bundooa Park trails

Kingsbury

Train: No station in Kingsbury, nearest - Reservoir Station (South Morang Line)
Tram: Route 86
Bus: Route 550, Route 561, Route 566
Walking and Cycling: Darebin Creek Trail

Macleod

Train: Macleod Station (Hurstbridge Line)
Tram: No tram in Macleod, nearest Route 86
Bus: Route 561, Route 548, Route 513
Walking: Gresswell Forest Nature Conservation Reserve 

For more information

Collect a Darebin TravelSmart map from any of our Libraries or Customer Service Centres.

Places of interest

Have you visited the top places of interest in Bundoora, Kingsbury and Macleod? Explore the La Trobe University campus, spot a kangaroo at Bundoora Park, or hike up to the top of Mt Cooper for a beautiful view of the city skyline.

Kingsbury Play Map

Play is so important for children’s health, wellbeing, learning and development. This map is a celebration of simple, inexpensive ideas to get all children playing, while exploring all the wonderful places and spaces Darebin has to offer!

We reached out to the children and families in playgroups, child care centres, kindergartens and Primary Schools across Darebin to ask them what THEY enjoyed when and where they play. These consultations formed the backbone to creating the Darebin Play Maps.

The Play Maps are designed to be used by children and families to stimulate ideas, give prompts and mark out the local spaces that children love to play in. While every effort has been made to make sure the play suggestions are appropriate, families need to use their own common sense and boundaries to ensure that their children are safe.

View the Kingsbury play map(PDF, 3MB).

  1. Bundoora Park
  2. La Trobe University
  3. Bundoora Homestead Arts Centre
  4. Darebin North East Community Hub
  5. Bundoora Park Golf Course
  6. Mt Cooper Lookout

Your community

Connect with your local community in Bundoora, Kingsbury and Macleod. Are you keen to start a new sport or explore the local history?

History

In 1837 Robert Hoddle surveyed the present day Preston area and its surrounds forming the Jika Jika parish.

  • Bundoora had been known as Springfield, Prospect Hill and Janefield. Janefield was named after the wife of James Miller Brock.
  • Janefield became known as Bundoora in 1863 when the first post office was built on the corner of Grimshaw Street and Plenty Road.
  • The property ‘Bundoora Park’ was purchased in 1899 and subsequently used for breeding horses. The new owner, prominent horse breeder J.V. Smith, set about developing the magnificent homestead and surrounding gardens.
  • It was the rural aspect of Bundoora that made the area attractive as a site for mental hospitals in the early 1900s. Mont Park opened in 1912 as a facility for the treatment of the mentally ill.
  • Macleod railway station opened in 1911, 9 years after the railway line passed though.

Find out more at Darebin Heritage.

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