Smith Street

Smith Street runs north-south between Victoria Parade and Queens Parade, marking the boundary between Fitzroy and Collingwood neighborhoods in Melbourne. The street features rows of multi-story buildings with ground-floor shops and upper-level residential or office space.

The route began as a dirt track in 1838 and was named in 1851 after John Thomas Smith, who served as Melbourne's mayor seven times. This early naming marked the street's importance as an economic connection in the expanding city.

The street houses vintage clothing stores, art galleries, and local cafes that serve as gathering spots for creative communities and food enthusiasts. These shops and venues reflect how the neighborhood has become a destination for people seeking alternative culture and local design.

Tram line 86 provides direct access along the street with regular daytime service connecting downtown to northern suburbs. Visitors can walk the entire length and browse shops and cafes without any special requirements or restrictions.

The location holds a piece of Australian retail history as the site where the first Coles Variety Store opened in 1914. This store introduced a shopping model that would reshape how people shopped across the country.