Kensington at a glance.
- Postcode: 3031 | LGA: Primarily City of Melbourne (small area/shops in City of Moonee Valley) | Distance to CBD: ~4 km north-west
- Boundaries (approx.): Racecourse Rd (north), Smithfield Rd & Maribyrnong River (west/south-west), Childers St/South Kensington line (south), Moonee Ponds Creek (east)
- Character: Renovated worker’s cottages & Victorian terraces, Kensington Banks townhouses/apartments, pocket parks and community feel
Livability.
- City-edge convenience: Three nearby train stations plus tram and bus links make commuting simple.
- Heritage + renewal: Classic single- and double-fronted terraces sit beside quality townhouses and new apartments.
- Parks & recreation: JJ Holland Park’s ovals, skate park and playground; Royal Park is a short tram ride away.
- Local village: Cafés and everyday shopping along Bellair St and Macaulay Rd; a full-line supermarket at Newmarket Plaza on the northern fringe.
Property & streetscape.
Expect a mix of Victorian cottages and terraces (many beautifully updated), Edwardian/Federation homes, 1960s walk-ups and contemporary townhouses/apartments—notably through the Kensington Banks precinct where former saleyards/abattoir land has been master-planned into a riverside residential neighbourhood.
Lifestyle & amenities.
- JJ Holland Park (10+ ha): sports grounds, picnic/BBQ shelters, skate facilities and The Venny adventure playground.
- Parks & trails nearby: Moonee Ponds Creek shared path; Royal Park (zoo, golf, ovals) a few stops away by tram/train.
- Shops & eats: Bellair St/Macaulay Rd cafés, pubs and essentials; Newmarket Plaza (Woolworths) just over the border on Racecourse Rd.
Getting around.
- Train: Kensington (Craigieburn line), South Kensington (Werribee/Williamstown/Sunbury lines), plus nearby Macaulay (Upfield line).
- Tram: Route 57 along Racecourse Rd/Epsom Rd to the CBD and Queen Victoria Market.
- Buses: 402 (Footscray–East Melbourne via North Melbourne) and 404 (Footscray–Moonee Ponds via Newmarket).
- Road links: Quick access to CityLink/City access via Racecourse Rd and Dynon/Footscray Rds.
Schools & zoning.
Local primary options include Kensington Primary School and nearby schools across Flemington/North Melbourne; secondary options include Mount Alexander College and other inner-north schools. Always verify current zones via the Victorian Find My School tool.
Additional resources.
- Why we love Kensington — City of Melbourne
- Kensington Neighbourhood Portal — Participate Melbourne
- Neighbourhood priorities — Kensington (City of Melbourne)
- JJ Holland Park — City of Melbourne
- Moonee Ponds Creek — Strategic Opportunities Plan (City of Melbourne)
- Tram Route 57 — Yarra Trams
- Kensington Station (Craigieburn line) — PTV
- South Kensington Station (Werribee/Sunbury/Williamstown) — PTV
- Macaulay Station (Upfield line) — PTV
- Bus 402: Footscray ↔ East Melbourne (via North Melbourne) — Timetable (PDF)
- Bus 404: Footscray ↔ Moonee Ponds (via Newmarket) — Timetable (PDF)
- Macaulay Structure Plan 2021 — City of Melbourne
- Macaulay Structure Plan — Participate Melbourne