Toorak & South Yarra

Strut your stuff along Chapel Street and arm yourself with internationally renowned designer labels from the vast array of fashion boutiques in Toorak and South Yarra before sitting at a chic café or bar to see and be seen. Chapel Street is the backbone of South Yarra and is lined with independent boutiques and local and international chain stores selling all things covetable, from cutting edge fashion to funky homewares and inspiring gifts. Toorak Road and High Street are well-known shopping strips, with exclusive boutiques and international fashion houses offering understated sophistication and creative window installations. High-end commercial galleries are dotted around, featuring changing exhibitions and works of art to be snapped up. Hip bars and cafés are as much about fine food and cocktails as providing great scope for people-watching, a common pastime in this part of town. Fashion devotees, art students, professionals and models are all part of the landscape here. Drag yourself away from the shops and head north for a walk along the banks of the Yarra or take in the precinct's high society history at the beautiful Como House, where you can wander around the manicured gardens and peek inside the 1850s Victorian-era mansion. Toorak is six kilometres from the Melbourne CBD. Catch trams 72, 8 or 6 from Swanston Street or take the train from Flinders Street Station to South Yarra station.