Kew
Kew is an established inner-eastern suburb sitting about 5 kilometres from the CBD, known for its grand Victorian and Edwardian homes, leafy streets, and some of Melbourne's most sought-after schools, including Xavier College and Trinity Grammar. The Yarra River forms its southern boundary, with Studley Park and Yarra Bend offering bushland walks that feel a world away from the city. It's a suburb that attracts families and long-term residents who value space, good public transport on the Camberwell line, and a quietly prosperous village feel centred around the shops and cafés of Kew Junction.
3101·City of Boroondara·400 businesses listed
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The heart of Kew's retail and café scene, centred around High Street and Cotham Road. It has an independent, neighbourhood feel — think boutique homewares, a good butcher, and sit-down cafés rather than chain stores.
A large bushland reserve where the Yarra River bends sharply, offering walking and cycling trails through remnant native bush. The Boathouse at Studley Park — a heritage tea house on the river — is a genuine local institution.
A winding, tree-lined road along the Yarra River escarpment that is one of Melbourne's great cycling and running routes. On weekends it fills with cyclists from across the city who come for its challenging climbs and river views.
Kew's residential streets contain some of Melbourne's finest Victorian and Edwardian architecture. Canterbury Road and the avenues off it reward a slow walk for anyone interested in heritage homes and garden design.
A striking Victorian Gothic complex completed in 1872 and now converted to residential apartments, the grounds and exterior remain open to view and are Heritage Victoria–listed. It's a genuinely fascinating piece of Melbourne social history.
Hidden gems
Studley Park Boathouse (Boathouse Road)
Skip the weekend brunch crowds elsewhere — the Boathouse sits right on the river and has been serving tea and scones since 1863. Hire a rowboat for an hour and you'll feel like you've left the city entirely.
Hive of Kew (High Street)
A small, serious deli-style café tucked into the Kew Junction strip that locals quietly rely on for good coffee and no-nonsense lunches. It doesn't advertise much, which is exactly why it stays good.
The backstreets off Sackville Street
Wander the quiet residential grid between Sackville Street and the Yarra escarpment on a weekend morning — it's the kind of unself-conscious, established Melbourne suburb that doesn't really exist closer to the CBD anymore. The garden planting alone is worth the detour.
Suburb snapshot
Train
No direct train station in Kew — nearest is Hawthorn station (Lilydale/Belgrave lines, ~10 min by tram or bus) or Glenferrie station (Lilydale/Belgrave lines, ~12 min)
Tram
Route 48 (Victoria Road · Bridge Road) · Route 109 (Collins Street · Cotham Road) · Route 16 (Bourke Street · Kew)
Council
City of Boroondara
Nearest hospital
Austin Hospital (Heidelberg — approx. 15 min by car) · St Vincent's Hospital (Fitzroy — approx. 20 min by car)
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