Collingwood  

Collingwood is a former industrial area and working-class suburb known for its battlers that is fast getting a make-over as an alternative and gay-friendly area just 3km northeast of the city.

In Collingwood, Smith Street is the place for the sports enthusiast who is looking for a bargain. Here you will find the factory outlets for the top sporting brands such as Nike and Adidas, as well as countless other factory outlets for footwear and camping gear. Smith Street, which divides Collingwood from Fitzroy, also offers a large range of relatively inexpensive eateries, restaurants and bars.

Collingwood also offers a great range of student and budget accommmodation.

Although it's no longer the home of the Collingwood Football Club, which has moved from nearby Victoria Park to the Lexus Centre in East Melbourne, you can still hear plenty of enthusiastic supporters of the battlers' club, the Magpies, throughout Collingwood on match day.