While Abbotsford is far from being a massive suburb, residents and frequent visitors would agree that its commercial offerings open plenty of opportunities for people to have fun and unwind from their daily drudgeries. 

Apart from being home to artists’ studios and art workshops that inspire creativity, Abbotsford boasts stylish cafés peppered across the suburb. 

These cafés are among the venues that espouse delight, allowing visitors to meet up with friends and families to enjoy hours of catching up or simply borrow rare moments to sip a good cup of coffee.

Divided into two parts, this blog features 5 of the known cafés in Abbotsford that you just need to check out when you’re in the suburb.

Admiral Cheng-Ho

325 Johnston Street, Abbotsford

Admiral Cheng-Ho is owned by prolific businessman, Marwin Shaw. His vision for the café is to provide top fair-trade teas, seasonal, single estate coffee, standard hot cups, and cold brews. 

Admiral Cheng-Ho also offers a variety of dishes including guilt-free, feel-good meals.

AU79

27-29 Nicholson Street, Abbotsford

Established in a flipped old motor garage, AU79 was built by Melbourne Interior Designer, Mim Design. It is furnished with stained cement floors and old tires and embellished with elements that make it appear like an indoor botanical garden.

With a name that signifies gold standard, AU79 offers a wide variety of standout Asian-influenced dishes and pastries. 

Coffee Supreme Roastery and Café

28 Grosvenor Street, Abbotsford

Coffee Supreme Roastery and Café is known all over Melbourne as one of the earliest specialty roasters in the region. 

The café opens its visitors to its 5 signature house blends, espresso, and filter. Also among its offerings are a selection of toasties variants including ham, cheese, and tomatoes.

Kelso’s Sandwich Shoppe

271 Johnston Street

Opened by the end of 2016, Kelso’s Sandwich Shoppe offers affordable sandwiches that include various kinds of cheese like mozzarella, cheddar, gruyere, and parmesan butter. These also come with a selection of add-ons including bacon, onions, and pickles. Apart from this, Kelso also offers beef and vegetarian burgers. The café makes use of Lievito bread for all its offerings.

Mavis the Grocer

197 Vere Street, Abbotsford

Transforming Her Majesty’s Theatre into a bar, Mavis the Grocer managed to establish a comfy and homey ambiance.

During day time, Mavis serves Seven Seeds coffee alongside several smoothies produced with healthy and hand-picked ingredients. Also on the menu are a wide variety of food offerings including sandwiches, porridges, stews, and in-house baked bread.

At night time, Mavis serves cheeses, charcuterie, and pasta paired with ale or shiraz.

These five cafés provide more than enough to get your fix of wholesome time-off when you’re out and about in Abbotsford. 

In the second part of this feature, we will introduce you to six more notable and Instagrammable cafés in the suburb that will have you setting up your next vacation leave. 

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The purpose of art is washing the dust of daily life off our souls.

So says Spanish painter and sculptor, Pablo Picasso. And with how modern life is laid out in front of us, we can all agree that the dust of daily living has been burying us deep into our routines, leaving us barely even recognizing ourselves. But while the contemporary era offers plenty of chances for us to live out the best versions of ourselves, it does tend to get stressful and demanding. 

As proposed by the adage, art, may it be its production or admiration of it, may offer a repose that will allow us to regain control. So if you are someone who struggles as the dust settles, Bundoora offers the pause that you might be searching for.

Here are four places in Bundoora you can visit to admire and contemplate the artistry of Melbourne’s homegrown talents. 

Luma (La Trobe University Museum of Art)

Various Artists, Kingsbury Drive

Locals and suburb visitors alike can visit La Trobe University Museum of Art free of charge, and one need not be enrolled in the institution to be allowed to enter. 

While the museum is not in any way massive, Luma plays host to numerous works created by Australian artists within the state and the University’s rich collection.

Luma changes its exhibitions every 4-6 weeks.

Bundoora Homestead Art Centre

Various Artists, 7 Prospect Hill Drive

Established back in 1900, Bundoora Homestead Art Centre was built in a Queen Anne-style Federation mansion.

Currently operating in full capacity, the Bundoora Homestead functions as a historic house, a café, and of course, an art gallery. The facility was certified by the National Trust and registered by Heritage Victoria and is primarily known as a home to craft exhibits and contemporary art curated and maintained by the City of Darebin. 

The facility enriches the experience through its public education program that conducts workshops, interviews with artists, and the Darebin Art Prize which takes place every two years. 

Visitors who want to take a piece of art from the Bundoora Homestead Art Centre can choose from the range of exhibit merchandise that is up for sale. 

Bundoora Australians Murals

Bundoora Traders Association and Peter van Breugel, Bundoora Square

The Bundoora Australians murals were unveiled back in 2007 with the Bundoora Traders Association’s aim of creating an art trail. The Association enlisted the genius of artist Peter van Breugel to render the gargantuan art pieces.  

The murals were created in two separate locations. The first one was placed at the entrance opposite Coles. It shows an artistic concept of what old Bundoora could have looked like. The mural also featured the Cockatoo and Kookaburra, endemic fauna to Bundoora.

The second mural is at Dennison Mall which shows the area’s landscape alongside its local animal life.

 Wild Australian Gallery (Mosaics)

Bundoora Traders Association and Bundoora Secondary School Students, Walkway, Dennison Mall

Also sponsored by the Bundoora Traders Association, the Wild Australian Gallery is composed of mosaics produced by students from the Bundoora Secondary School and their art teacher. 

Originally set up on the old fence lining up the establishment now known as the Dennison Mall, the Bundoora businesses opted to retain the pieces upon the area’s upgrade.

The Takeaway

While cafés and shops may fill one’s ego with plenty to enjoy, marveling at art offers food for the heart, mind, and soul enough to sustain a sense of joy for a long time. 

So when you’re in Bundoora and find yourself needing a different kind of experience, we invite you to visit these local wonders. 

Are you looking to buy, sell or rent a property in Bundoora? Let our Bundoora real estate agents assist you with your requirements. Send us an email at info@collings.com.au or give us a call at +61 3 9486 2000.

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Northcote is known for its strong bike culture. In fact, there are events here and there that are specifically catering to bike enthusiasts. The local government is supportive of this as they have free monthly bike checks not only for the Northcote community. This initiative is co-funded by the Victorian Department of Transport.

But really, what draws people into biking? Here are some possible reasons:

1. It is a good physical activity.
2. It is a good transportation option.
3. It builds a sense of community.

In Northcote, there has been a long-running bicycle club. Northcote Cycling Club was founded in 1921 and is still very active up to the present. They are affiliated with Cycling Australia, Cycle Sport Victoria, and UCI.

But make no mistake, cycling is for everyone, even beginners and those who are intermediate riders training to be better at the sport. There are several groups near Northcote that you may join if you are interested in biking. The list is available at KeepActive. 

With more and more people getting into cycling, an initiative from private citizens was born out of their sense of community through bike kitchens.

What are bike kitchens? Bike kitchens are maintenance workshops providing the community with the necessary help in keeping bikes safe and in top condition. Sometimes, bike kitchens also accept whole bikes and parts donations. Volunteers fix and transform them into fully functional bikes. Bike kitchens do this to contribute to sustainability while helping other people obtain a bike of their own.

In Northcote, we also have our own bike kitchen: WeCycle Melbourne. WeCycle Melbourne is a not-for-profit bike kitchen in Northcote. Their noble objectives are:

• Providing low-cost bicycles to marginalised members of our community
• Reducing landfill by repairing and recycling unwanted bicycles
• Providing access to cycling and bicycle maintenance as a sustainable means of transport and to reducing pollution and traffic congestion
• Helping members of the community to keep fit and healthy
• Empowering women to gain access to an independent means of transport
• Offer opportunities to enhance community connectedness and social inclusion

Communities with walkable streets and safe roads encourage their residents to live an active lifestyle. More bikes also mean fewer cars which can lead to a safer road environment. People from all social statuses can benefit from safe roads. So whether you are a single professional or a couple looking into having children in the future, safe roads and walkable streets are something that should be on your list when considering a suburb to settle in. In Melbourne, Northcote is the top choice when it comes to these criteria.

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Who wants to pay their home loans faster, raise your hands?

Who doesn’t, right?

Loans are a part of our lives as adults and while it helps us get to our goals faster, it comes with a slightly different price: our time and our future funds for otherwise different things we can spend on.

So, the faster we pay off our home loans, the easier it will be for us to focus our resources on other things we want to buy and experience. But how quickly can I pay off my home loan, you ask?

We came up with a list of tips on what are the best ways to pay off home loan.  

Find lower interest rates

Find a loan that fits your budget. Don’t go for huge amounts that will cripple you in the coming years. Choose an institution that offers lower interest rates.

Make higher payments

If in case there are increases in your budget monthly, allot some of it for your home loan.

Make extra payments

If you happen to come across some bonuses or other financial perks that let you have some extra funds, set aside some of it to put towards your home loan and pay even if it’s not your schedule yet. These can potentially lower the overall price that you’re paying off.

Cut back on other expenses

Do you really need that venti-sized cold coffee drink every night? Do you have time to maximise your streaming memberships in all 11 platforms? How about instead of takeaways and food deliveries, you experiment dishes on your rarely used kitchen?

Cutting back on other expenses is not only for paying off your home loan faster, but also a step towards a healthier lifestyle.

Want more tips like this? Follow us on our socials.

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Riding a bike is one of the best exercise habits you can develop in your lifetime. It trains balance and mind and body coordination and is an eco-friendly way to easily get to places. 

Who does not like getting from one point to another through a bicycle anyway? And what better place to enjoy the ride but in Brunswick. 

With the right balance between nature and modern living, Brunswick offers an atmosphere that calms the senses and imbues an appreciation for what the outdoors have to offer. The suburb provides several bike trails that would have serious and casual cyclists enjoying themselves. 

Here are 3 of the known bike routes in Brunswick that you should try out.

The Capital City Trail

A shared use path running 29 km in the suburb, the Capital City Trail goes around the city center and some select inner eastern and northern suburbs. Trails like the Inner Circle Rail Trail, Main Yarra Trail, Merri Creek Trail, and Moonee Ponds Creek Trail are connected to the Capital City Trail.

The Princes Bridge near Flinders Street station is the Capital City Trail’s most known starting point.

Upfield Bike Path

Stretching 12.9 miles, the Upfield Shared Path is an out-and-back trail near Parkville. It goes through the Upfield railway line within the other inner northern suburbs.

Opened in the late 80s, the path starts at Princes Park and ends at Box Forest Road, Fawkner.

Northern Pipe Trail

Starting at Thomastown Station and ending at Rushall Station, this ‘the old pipeline’ route follows the underground route of the main pipe that supplies water to the city. It passes through the 7-kilometer path to the center of St. Georges Road via Preston and Brunswick.

Among the trails in the list, this route is more urban compared to the others which are mostly creek trails. This is a fun, alternative path that gives the biking experience a more modern vibe. 

So if you have made cycling a lifestyle or are someone who just enjoys riding across your local suburb, these three popular bike trails will get you your fix while making you fall in love more with Brunswick.

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Are you looking into buying, selling or renting a property in Brunswick? Get in touch with our Brunswick real estate agents and let us discuss your requirements! Simply fill out our contact form or send us an email at info@collings.com.au. You may also give us a call at +61 3 9486 2000.

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Ivanhoe is known as the suburb of a great culture is influenced by the historical events in this suburb – one that has been recently celebrated is the 100th anniversary of Ivanhoe Reading Circle.

Ivanhoe Reading Circle is a literary book club based in Ivanhoe. They have been meeting continuously for the last 100 years. Not even the pandemic has stopped them from doing so. They conducted their meetings via Zoom during the lockdown. 

The group was established in 1920 and brought bookworms together. Several readers have been members for 50-79 years already, which says a lot about their commitment to the group. The members of this small community serve as companions for each other by discussing the books they have read. The discussions on each piece of literature revolve around the political and social ideas of the members who have read it. Joining this group provides an opportunity for bookworms to be introduced to books they haven’t thought of reading. The meetings are open to everyone for questions and discussions. Although there are some provocative discussions once in a while, all meetings end on a harmonious note.

At present, Ivanhoe Reading Circle has 28 members. They continuously meet once a month every Tuesday night to discuss the texts from their book of the month.

Truly, the hobbies of the populace say a lot about the suburb. The thriving community of Ivanhoe Reading Circle only proves that Invahoe is indeed a suburb of culture.

Whether you are interested in moving to Ivanhoe or planning to sell your property there, Collings Real Estate can assist you. Reach us through our contact form or call us directly at +61 3 9486 2000.

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Exuding a village vibe that invites anyone looking to buy something of value or delight or access to unique dining experiences, Bundoora Square delivers with its offerings of themed stores and specialty restaurants.

Established strategically on the corner of Settlement Road and Plenty Road for everyone to easily visit, Bundoora Square has become a popular meet-up place for family, friends, and colleagues. 

Visiting Bundoora Square opens you to a multicultural experience with its standout offering of various international cuisines that are sure to cater to varying palettes and tastes. Here are some of them:

Chuan Wazi Dumpling House

Chuan Wazi Dumpling House prides itself in serving authentic Chinese cuisine alongside a host of other Asian dishes. You can find them at 8 Dennison Mall, Bundoora, or call them at (03) 9466 7140 for inquiries.

Mr. Souv

Mr. Souv gets at the heart of Eastern Mediterranean culture with its sumptuous take on well-loved Greek dishes. You can visit Mr. Souv at Shop 1, 4 Nickson Street, Bundoora.

Simply Noodles Bundoora

Simply Noodles serves up a wide range of noodle dishes from various Asian cultures namely, Chinese, Japanese, Singaporean, Malaysian, Thai, and Vietnamese. Drop by at Simply Noodles at 5/25-31 Plenty Rd, Bundoora. 

Genki Sushi Bundoora

Genki Sushi is a popular chain of sushi restaurants in Japan that has become a massive international franchise. You can visit Genki Sushi Bundoora at 25 Plenty Rd.

Little House Malaysian & Chinese Restaurant

Serving the best of authentic Malaysian and Chinese dishes, Little House is a small unassuming Asian restaurant at 13 Dennison Mall. It is lined across a chain of other eateries in Bundoora Square.

Mrs. Pho House

An Asian restaurant specializing in Vietnamese cuisine, Mrs. Pho House is a quaint eating place that exudes a homey atmosphere. You can find Mrs. Pho at Shop 23/47 Plenty Rd.

Namaste Indian Restaurant

Specializing in Indian dishes, the Namaste Indian Restaurant serves up only genuine cuisine that is sure to hook even the most discriminating of tastes. You can drop by 12-16 McLeans Road, Shop 6 Nathan Court to visit the Namaste Indian Restaurant.

Babaluis Pizza & Pasta Café

Located at 47 Plenty Road Shop 24, the Babaluis Pizza & Pasta Café presents a range of legitimate Italian pizza and pasta choices that are sure to give visitors a good time, every time. 

These are only a few of the restaurants and cafes that you could visit when you happen to be in Bundoora Square. 

For visitors and residents needing specific services, you would be thrilled to know that Bundoora Square is in close proximity to a hundred businesses which include several medical centres, post offices, Woolworths, Coles, and Psarakos Markets, a quaint market that is home to groceries, fruit and vegetable stalls, liquor stores, cafes, furniture establishment, and even a watch repair shop.

But for everything else, get your family, friends, and even friends of friends and head on over to Bundoora Square to have a fun, multicultural experience.

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Just 3 km east of the CBD, Richmond has a layered personality owed to its rich history of being an industrial suburb and a municipality. Its surrounding areas are exuberant offerings of nature, framing the suburb in rich greenery and abundant rivers. 

Richmond is punctuated on its western boundary by a prominent hill simultaneously called Richmond Hill and Dockers Hill.

The houses lining Richmond’s residential area is indicative of the fusion between the modern and the rustic with the influence of contemporary architecture and the persistence of the Victorian style, with such units built from the 1850s to 1930s.

Richmond boasts of a network of transportation including a bus route, arterial roads, seven tram routes, five train stations, and several bicycle trails, making traveling across other suburbs faster and more convenient.

Multicultural in character, Richmond is home to Little Saigon, complete with its wide selection of Asian grocery stores and eateries that serve authentic Vietnamese dishes. 

Visiting Richmond will prove quite an experience for those hoping into getting to know Melbourne’s benevolent welcoming of cultures as it treasures its own. So if you are in the area or looking for your next place of residence, do check what Richmond has to offer.

Collings Real Estate is a team of experienced real estate agents servicing the whole of Victoria – Richmond included. Whether you’re looking into buying or selling your property in Richmond, give us a call at +61 3 9486 2000 and let us discuss your requirements. You can also send us an email at info@collings.com.au or simply fill out our contact form.

Median home sale price, quarterly price range, median rent, rental yield of Richmond, VIC as of September 2022. Screenshot from https://reiv.com.au/market-insights/suburb/richmond.

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Macleod is located within the councils of Banyule and Darebin, a mere 14 kilometres northeast of Melbourne’s central business district. With a very reliable transportation system, residents enjoy the distance from the city as it is near enough for necessities shopping but also a good distance away that it retains its neighbourhood charm.

Macleod is known for its peaceful vibe. People who live here feel a deep sense of community and family, encouraging safety and freedom to socialise with their neighbours all the time. A great way to foster new connections post-pandemic, indeed.

Macleod, Victoria is also an affordable suburb in Melbourne that is home to several local sports teams. Most Australians enjoy areas where they can practice their chosen sport or support their favourite teams. Definitely, Mcleod is the suburb of choice to live in.

Are you looking into buying or selling a property in Macleod? Reach out to our Macleod real estate agents and let us help you through your real estate journey. Fill out our contact form or send us an email at info@collings.com.au to discuss your requirements. Alternatively, you can also give us a call at +61 3 9486 2000

Median home sale price, quarterly price range, median rent, rental yield of Macleod, VIC as of September 2022. Screenshot from https://reiv.com.au/market-insights/suburb/macleod

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Wellness has become central to our lives of us. And this is not surprising given the demand for genuine rest and repose from the almost unforgiving speed of daily living.

Clifton Hill provides the venue for clinics that serve the cause. And serve it well these clinics do. Let us take a look at three facilities that are among the ones that render the best wellness services within the suburb.

Wellness Medicine

While it operates as a GP, Integrative Medicine is at the core of Wellness Medicine’s service. Catering to various patients struggling with chronic conditions that challenge the General Practice model. The facility offers Integrative Medicine as spearheaded by Wellness Medicine founder, Dr. Joanna Hickey.

Patients can easily access Wellness Medicine by either car or public transport.

If you’re interested in making an appointment with Wellness Medicine you can call them at (03) 9489 7955 or drop them an email at info@wellnessmedicine.com.au. You can also make a personal visit to 41 Queens Parade.

Body Osteopathy Clifton Hill

The Body Osteopathy Clifton Hill is a wellness facility centered on recovery through the restoration of mobility of the physically challenged so they can reintegrate seamlessly into life. 

As the name suggests, the facility offers Osteopathy, Cupping, and Dry Needling. On top of that, the experts also provide exercise advice.

Want to schedule a session with Body Osteopathy? You can visit them at 107 Queens Parade, ring them at 0434 292 751, or send an email through bodyosteo@gmail.com.

 Body Align Myotherapy & Massage Clifton Hill, Melbourne

As the name suggests, the professionals at Body Align Myotherapy & Massage are experts in soft tissue treatment. The clinic has been providing Myotherapy and Massage in the suburb for over a decade.

Interested in making an appointment with Body Align Myotherapy & Massage? You can visit them at 107 Queens Parade, or call them at (03) 9489 7511. You can also send them an email through contact@bodyalignmyotherapy.com.au or book one online.

These three facilities provide Clifton Hill residents with the most reliable and trustworthy wellness offerings in the area. If you happen to be in the suburbs and in need of care or health-related services, you might want to check these clinics out.  

Overall wellness is something that shouldn’t be overlooked. The suburb can only be as healthy as its residents. Having readily accessible facilities like this says so much about how important wellness is to the people it serves.

Is this a factor that you are looking into before purchasing a property? Or perhaps you are interested in selling your investment property – reach out to us and our Clifton Hill real estate agents will assist you with your requirements. Simply fill out our contact form or give us a call at +61 3 9486 2000

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