Northcote

Multicultural Northcote is 7km north-east of the CBD, and is vibrant with cafes, boutiques, restaurants and events.

The area now known as Northcote is on the traditional lands of the Wurundjeri people.

Multicultural Northcote is 7 km north-east of Melbourne's Central Business District and at the 2011 Census had a population of 22,920. Cafes abound on High Street alongside interesting boutiques, restaurants and venues.

Northcote hosts arts events and neighbourhood festivals throughout the year and has a strong local music scene. Bikes are very popular in Northcote and the suburb is well serviced by public transport. Northcote also has a higher proportion of gay and lesbian people compared with the rest of the City.

What's happening in Northcote?

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

  • Batman Park upgrades (corner St Georges and Athurton Rds) - Works are under way to improve public facilities and open space, in line with the key priority actions identified in the Batman Park Landscape Upgrade Plan.
  • Masterplan for Bill Lawry Oval and Oldis Gardens - Following the adoption of the Bill Lawry and Oldis Gardens Masterplan(PDF, 10MB), we can begin to plan projects to improve the landscaping, social spaces and connectivity between both sites and the surrounding area.

Getting around

Northcote is a quick hop and skip from trains, trams or buses. Northcote Shopping Centre and High Street are quite easy to access via public transport.

Train: Northcote Station, Croxton Station, Merri Station (South Morang Line) and Westgarth Station and Dennis Station (Hurstbridge Line)
Tram: Route 86 and 11
Bus: Route 508, Route 510, Route 567, Route 552

Cycling: North-south routes include St Georges Road shared path, South Morang Line Shimmy, Merri Creek Trail, Victoria Road. East-west routes include the Christmas Street shimmy Hurtsbridge Line Shimmy and Westgarth Street. 

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 Northcote? Head over to All Nations Park for a walk, take a swim at the Northcote Aquatic & Recreation Centre, and enjoy the art and nightlife along High Street.

  1. All Nations Park
  2. Northcote Town Hall Arts Centre
  3. Northcote Aquatic & Recreation Centre
  4. Northcote Plaza Shopping Centre
  5. Rucker's Hill
  6. Palace Westgarth Cinema
  7. Aboriginal Healing Trail
  8. Herb Scape – part of the Northcote Uniting Church
  9. Northcote Social Club
  10. Parks and Reserves
  11. Northcote Public Golf Course

Your community

Connect with your local community in Northcote and get active in your passionate interests! Are you a musician or artist yearning to meet with like minds?

Connect with:

History

Northcote is jammed packed full of history since it was first surveyed in 1837 by Robert Hoddle. Your favourite local haunts (Northcote Social Club, Peacock Inn and Wesley Anne) originated way back in 1854!

  • In May 1861 title deeds for a property in Separation Street indicated the local township Northcote was known as Cawdortown.
  • A. H. and W. Richardson were brothers who, in January 1888, founded the Northcote Leader and District Record.
  • Catherine Oliver arrived in Northcote about 1850, establishing the townships first butchers shop. By the latter half of the 1800s she owned one of Northcote's premier butcheries.
  • Palace Westgarth Cinema, officially opened on October 20th, 1921 and was known as the Westgarth Picture Theatre.
  • Northcote was gazetted as a City on 30 March and a special Proclamation ceremony was held on the 27 May 1914. Thousands of people lined the decorated streets to be part of this historic occasion.
  • On May 25th, 1883 the township of Northcote had been created. In celebration the City of Northcote had ten days of celebration from 15 to 25 May 1933. A large number activities were planned, including sporting events, plays, dances, reunion parties and guided tours. The Education Department even agreed to grant a half day holiday for Northcote School children.
  • The Queen and Duke of Edinburgh's visit in 1954 included a royal progress down High Street. The Northcote Town Hall was decorated with portraits of the Queen and the Duke painted by Council painter Fred Forde.

Find out more at Darebin Heritage.

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