Greensborough: Suburbia with a bush flavour makes north east gem unique

IT might be known for its bypass but this suburb’s green streets hide great nature walks, a big water park and some of the best shopping on Melbourne’s fringe. Why it’s time to detour to Greensborough.

The Plaza might be the most well known part, but there’s a lot more to love about Greensborough.

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NESTLED at the end of the Metropolitan Ring Road, the leafy suburb of Greensborough has evolved into one of the shopping meccas of Melbourne’s northeast.

Originally named Keelbundoora, after an Aboriginal world for a round swamp, the suburb got its current name from settler and district mail contractor Edward Bernard Green, who ran the mail service between Port Phillip District and Sydney.

Established in the late 1850s just 19km from the Melbourne CBD, Greensborough became a cornerstone of our city’s expansion.

It also shows no signs of slowing down, with property in the suburb always in high demand.

In the Plenty River Trail, Greensborough has a nature trail that is almost second to none.

Easily accessible by car or train, there are few excuses not to come and visit this part of Melbourne suburbia.

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Banyule Mayor Tom Melican says Greensborough possesses a unique charm.

“It has been exciting to watch Greensborough changing as new businesses, business owners and residential and commercial developments have come to the area,” he said.

Banyule Mayor Tom Melican.

“There is a new confidence and pride in the area and many more choices when it comes to shopping or dining out, gym and medical facilities, and a host of other facilities.

“All in all, Greensborough is a great place to live, work and play.”

With 21,092 people calling this corner of Melbourne home, the suburb has grown into a sprawling mix of modern homes, lush bushland and countless options to keep the whole family entertained.

THE FOOD

Greensborough has attracted plenty of new, trendy inner city-style cafes, including Urban Grooves and Mabel Jones, which have established a loyal clientele.

But some local hot spots mean residents are spoiled for choice whatever time of day.

Holey Moley Gourmet Coffee

Those with friends and relatives of the vegan persuasion know that finding a place to eat that caters to all the needs of your group can sometimes be a challenge.

Not so at this delightful little store just off of Main Street.

Holey Moley provides specialised pies, bagels, sandwiches and fancy shakes that are sure to whet the appetite of even the most discerning vegan, and maybe a few meat lovers too.

Urban Grooves Cafe

From their little shop front on Grimshaw Street, the team from the Urban Grooves Cafe is constantly finding ways to outdo themselves in the search for culinary creativity.

The diverse menu, including plenty of vegetarian and gluten-free options, the food is always prepared from fantastic ingredients.

Open 8am till late, you’re sure to great a great meal no matter what time of day you swing by.

What do you love about Greensborough? Let us know in the comments below

THE SHOPS

Greensborough Town Centre has been servicing the local region for a long time and now boasts 400 businesses, with half located along Main Street and the other half within Greensborough Plaza.

Greensborough Plaza
When paying a visit to this beautiful part of suburbia, it’s hard to miss the ever impressive Greensborough Plaza.

Commonly regarded as one of the major shopping centres in Melbourne’s northeast, the plaza has served the community for 40 years.

Greensborough Plaza has been a staple of locals lives for over four decades.

Home to stores, restaurants and cinemas, local residents never have to travel far to get everything they need.

If shopping is not your taste, Hoyts Greensborough has you covered.

Greensborough Plaza film precinct has recently been fully fitted out with reclining leather seats, while sweet tooths can indulge in a variety of ice-cream flavours at the new Ben and Jerry’s Scoop Shop.

The change has proven to be a major winner for locals and visitors alike, with Hoyts Group chief executive Damian Keogh saying the company had seen great results from similar moves.

Hoyts Cinema Greensborough has recently been fully fitted out with reclining leather seats.

Main Street

While the plaza may be packed to the brim with shopping options, Main Street just outside the centre has a much more laid back feel.

More the equivalent of a local shopping strip than bustling retail mecca, the pleasant mix of shopping and food makes for an enjoyable stroll while you slowly peruse the local stores.

Main Street Greensborough has seriously changed over the years.

THE FUN

Plenty River Trail

For those looking to take the scenic route (literally), Greensborough has a nature trail that is second to none.

Travelling alongside the Plenty River, the trail canvases some truly amazing architecture, including an early public swimming pool built into the riverbank and a number of 100-150 year old fruit trees that mark the location of several large orchards established in the area in the late 1800s.

The trail stretches through Greensborough and surrounding suburbs, all the way through to where the river joins the Yarra near Heidelberg.

If you’re lucky, you may spot wallabies, echidnas wombats, or a wide variety of native birdlife while adventuring.

With the Plenty River flowing through the suburb, there are parklands offering sporting facilities, children’s play areas, shared trails and natural bushland, which are all popular for sport, recreation and relaxation.

This combined with some new man-made marvels ensure there’s plenty to do, no matter what the weather.

WaterMarc

As one of the newer aquatic centres around Melbourne, WaterMarc has certainly made a splash, with 800,000 visitors passing through it’s doors each year.

WaterMarc boasts two giant water slides, combined with interactive water activities, light and sound features as well as an aquatic adventure playground, the swimming area has something for all ages.

The WaterMarc swimming pool attracts 800,000 visitors each year.

The pools and slides make WaterMarc a destination for people of all ages.

But all pale in comparison to the mammoth Tantrum Alley water slide.

A monstrous undertaking, and the only one of its kind in Australia, the slide has brought smiles to people of all ages as up to four people at once rocket around its twisting bends.

The centre also received the tick of approval from Mr Melican who said: “It is such a happy atmosphere as families make use of the pools, waterplay features and of course the water slides, which are very popular with young and old alike.”

The Tantrum Alley water slide.

Andrew Yandell Habitat Reserve

Branching out over six hectares of pristine Greensborough bushland, the Andrew Yandell Habitat Reserve provides visitors with a unique look at many beautiful indigenous plants not often seen in Melbourne.

With 206 species of indigenous plants within the reserve, eight of which are listed as rare or threatened in Victoria, the reserve has a spectacular array of flora to explore.

THE AMAZING

Women’s AFL legacy

If there are any aspiring women footballers in your household, a trip to Greensborough might be in your future with local school Greensborough College opening a women’s AFL academy this year, in partnership with local VFL women’s club Diamond Creek.

Boasting the largest female football club in Australia, Diamond Creek offers a path for female footballers to take the next step in their career.

But football talent alone isn’t enough at Greensborough College, with players required to keep an 80 per cent attendance record at training and a 90 per cent attendance record for their school classes.

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The Greensborough College Girls' Football team, which will this year become part of the Diamond Creek women’s AFL academy.