Discovering Yarraville
Known for its iconic art deco theatre and town square style main streets, Yarraville, is the definition of an urban village. While the area has undergone significant change over the last decade, Yarraville has never lost its unique, tight-knit community feel.
Named for its location on the banks of the city’s main river, Yarraville is a traditionally working class suburb. While the area has undergone rapid gentrification (mostly due to its proximity to the city), evidence of its long industrial history remains, with a number of large factories and refineries still operating in the suburb.
Located about 6km west of the CBD, Yarraville is well connected to the city. While no tram routes service the area, residents can catch the train from Yarraville station (on the Werribee and Williamstown lines) and generally be in the centre of the CBD within 15 minutes. Sitting in the shadow of iconic West Gate Bridge, Yarraville also enjoys easy access to major arterial roads – this can be a bit of a catch-22 though, as parking in the area is quite limited.
Despite being so close to the centre of the city, Yarraville really does feel a world away. This is mostly thanks to its charming village centre, built around the intersection of Ballarat and Anderson Streets. Here, the local community comes together to eat, drink, shop, and just generally enjoy life – particularly during the warmer months, when a section of Ballarat St is converted into a pop-up community park.
At the heart of the Yarraville Village sits the iconic Sun Theatre. Easily the suburb’s best known attraction, the Art Deco cinema originally opened in 1938. Having undergone significant restoration, it still operates today, showing everything from limited release arthouse films to the latest Hollywood blockbusters.
The rejuvenation of Yarraville Village has also given rise to a vibrant café and bar culture. With options ranging from Heal.Thy Self’s plant-based menu to Coracle’s Asian-fusion fare, brunch aficionados are spoilt for choice. If you’re in need of something a little stronger, head to Johnny’s Emporium for a cocktail or the Rooftop of The Railway Hotel for a few beers in the sun.
Yarraville has also become a hot spot for fashion, with stores like Angelica (known for its effortlessly cool womenswear) and Green Collective (a new take on the Op Shop) favourites with locals and visitors alike. The area also features a great selection of quirky boutique stores, like indoor plant oasis, Mosey.
If you’re in need of a little fresh air, head out of the Village Centre and in to one of Yarraville’s many parks and playgrounds. From the beautiful tree-lined paths of Yarraville Gardens, to the meandering creekside tracks of Cruickshank Park, and the quirky McNish ‘Dinosaur Park’ Reserve, you’ll find no shortage of green space in Yarraville.
For all the benefits Yarraville’s location provides, it also makes the area prone to extremely heavy traffic. This is further exacerbated by the heavy vehicle route that passes through the suburb. While there are increasing restrictions on truck traffic, it does create some noise and air pollution issues, particularly at peak times.
Also, while there are a number of top-notch primary schools in Yarraville, there is no secondary school in the suburb. As a result, the area tends to be more popular with young families and individuals/couples without children.
If you’re considering moving to Yarraville, you’re sure to find a property that suits, with a great selection of renovated Edwardian houses, updated Victorian workers cottages, and new build townhouse and apartment complexes. Demand for rental properties in revitalised Yarraville remains high.
Your Home Hunter loves Yarraville’s unique village lifestyle. So, if you want to be part of a buzzing local community, while maintaining easy access to the city, Yarraville could be perfect for you.