Little-known must-visit spots in Melbourne’s northern suburbs

FROM a cafe in an 1860s homestead to great spots to find a vintage or edible treasure, here’s the list of gems in our northern Melbourne suburbs you may not have discovered yet.

“Oh My Gosh” cakes from Sweet by Nature: Citrus Kick, Chocolate Pop, and Berry Smash.

WE’VE searched high and low to find the best hidden gems across each region of our great state so you don’t have to.

From best spots to shop to roller derby, here’s the list of gems in our northern suburbs.

Check back tomorrow for more hidden gems from a different region.

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Two Beans and a Farm cafe

10 Hathfelde Blvd, Mernda.twobeansandafarm.com.au

Hidden behind the burgeoning housing estates in this booming outer suburb is the resplendent Plenty Gorge Parklands and historic Carome Homestead.

Built in 1861, it housed one of Victoria’s first water-powered flour mills and now powers an espresso machine and a kitchen serving seasonal dishes with inner-city flair.

La Trobe University Sports Centre

Kingsbury Dve, Bundoora. latrobe.edu.au/unisport

Buried in the heart of La Trobe University, you’ll find one of the best places to hold a children’s party.

The Tarzan swing over the 2.5m deepwater pit alone guarantees squeals of delight.

Then there are kayak races in the 25m pool, plus a choice of rock climbing, indoor soccer, basketball, netball, tennis, table tennis, squash or volleyball.

The activities suit children aged 7-15, with a minimum of 12 children ($25 a child).

Opening of the Carome Homestead in Mernda

That’s Amore Factory Outlet

66 Latitude Boulevard, Thomastown.thatsamorecheese.com.au

In Thomastown’s industrial zone, off the main High St drag, you’ll find a store that makes you think of Rome and Vespas.

That’s Amore is more of a stylish cafe and deli than traditional factory outlet, and it has a cheese selection to rival the Victoria Market.

Try the bocconcini with olives or smoked scamorza. Ricotta calda is served until 10am. Also check out the store’s mozzarella bar at the Wine and Cheese Festival in Williamstown or Carlton Italian Festa, on October 23.

Yard Furniture

271 Dundas St, Preston. yardfurniture.com.au

You can trawl Fitzroy and Richmond looking at expensive tables and chairs or head north for furniture with heart and history.

PRESTON furniture store YARD creates furniture from reclaimed timber, including timber salvaged from the Jam Factory, AMCOR and Don Smallgoods Altona factory. Picture: David Smith

Owner Peter McManus and his team make customised and set pieces from salvaged timber. Every table is unique, with timber coming from such Melbourne landmarks as the NGV and Jam Factory. There are stylish breadboards, cushions and other homewares for sale, too.

Pictures and Pages

400 Sydney Rd, Coburg. picturesandpages.com.au

This bookshop might be on the main drag, but it’s tiny and easily missed. It specialises in kids’ books, comics and graphic novels. It’s an enticing place for children, with a space to sit or lie down with a good book. There are groovy book bags and arty cards as well. It does what Melbourne’s indie bookshops do so well — great customer service by staff who love books.

Hunter & Co

553 Plenty Rd, Preston. facebook.com/hunterandcovintage

Walk into this labyrinthine store and you’ll be kicking yourself if your grandmother or mother threw out that old Wedgwood teapot, J.H. Lynch 1960s print or vinyl and chrome chair.

This stuff is valuable now and sometimes the prices are gobsmacking.

Most of it represents the golden age of manufacturing, here and in Europe. Baby Boomers will get nostalgic and teens will be in awe of this pre-digital treasure trove.

Victorian Roller Derby League

The Factory, 62-64 Oakover Rd, Preston. vrdl.org

Women’s AFL might be one of the fastest-growing sports in Victoria, but women’s flat track roller derby is going gangbusters globally. The game sounds a bit like quidditch with skates rather than brooms. There are jammers who score points, pivots who set the pace and blockers who stop jammers. There are five teams in the league and they are always looking for “fresh meat”. Beginners aged 16 and over of either sex can try a 10-week program, though you do need to be able to skate a lap of a rink unaided. There are advanced classes for those ready to rumble (email: [e-mail]). So get your (quad) skates, helmet and protective gear on and head on down.

Rathdowne Fabrics

154-158 Victoria St, Brunswick. rathdownefabrics.com.au

If you sew, like fabric, want to reupholster a chair or need to throw together a costume, you should know about this gem. Rathdowne Fabrics has survived the demise of many a fabric shop and lives on in all its glory, with dress fabrics, knits, bridal fabrics, haberdashery and patterns. The piece de resistance is the remnant bins, with offcuts ranging from a scrap to a couple of metres, to inspire all sorts of projects.

Sweet by Nature Kitchen

131-133 Bamfield Rd, Heidelberg West.sweetbynature.com.au

There’s a bit of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory awe when you walk into this stylish cafe in Heidelberg West’s industrial heart. The unexpected array of individual cakes (salted caramel “jarcakes”, choc mudslide cupcakes, red velvet lamingtons and more) and large festive cakes is topped off by old-fashion tin toys, games and cards that are also for sale. There is also a fridge with offcuts and seconds. It’s worth the drive if you have a sweet tooth or want to impress guests.

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