Set in the City of Moreland, the suburb is 8km north of the CBD and a haven for singles, couples, professionals, families and retirees.

At the 2016 Census, Coburg had a population of 26,185, with 62.1 per cent Australian-born and the rest born overseas, including Italy, Greece, Lebanon, England and Nepal. A language other than English was spoken at home by 42 per cent of the residents.

Originally named Pentridge in 1840, the suburb’s name was changed to Coburg in 1870, inspired by the impending visit of the Duke of Edinburgh, who was a member of the royal house of Saxe-Coburg.

By the mid-1800s, farms and bluestone quarrying began operating in the area, while the Victorian gold mining boom brought many new settlers to the area.

Coburg’s main landmark, Pentridge Prison, was established in 1850 to house some of Australia’s most notorious criminals, including Ned Kelly, Squizzy Taylor, Julian Knight and Ronald Ryan, the last man to be hanged in Australia.

After being decommissioned in 1997, the heritage-listed prison with its towering bluestone buildings was transformed into an urban village with luxury apartments, boutique shops, a supermarket, a Palace cinema and eateries.

Other buildings of historical significance dating back to the 1800s have been retained in the area, including The Bluestone Cottage Museum and the Coburg Metropolitan Fire Brigade Station.

Charming period homes from the 1900s including California bungalows and double-fronted Victorians plus quirky retro-style houses bring character to Coburg’s leafy streets, with The Grove regarded as the most prestigious in the suburb.

New estates boast modern houses, units and apartments, including Coburg Hill in Elizabeth Street, formerly the site of the Kodak film manufacturing plant. The product of a $230 million redevelopment project, the 21ha site features about 400 quality modern homes with hectares of parkland at its doorstep.

Coburg offers residents an attractive inner-city lifestyle, Barry Plant Coburg auctioneer Jarrod Couch said.

There is a wide range of properties available with easy access to good schools, shops, eateries, transport and medical centres, including the John Fawkner Private Hospital in Moreland Road.

“Homes have performed very well in terms of capital growth,” he said. “And while prices have been rising in the past 18 months, the suburb offers good value.”

In January 2022, Coburg had 152 properties available for rent and 82 properties for sale, according to realestate.com.au.

Median property prices range from $1.2 million for houses to $580,000 for units, and houses rent out for $545 a week with an annual yield of 2.4 per cent, while units lease for $395 a week with a yield of 3.5 per cent.

Based on five years of sales, Coburg has seen a compound growth rate of 7.3 per cent for houses and 3.7 per cent for units.

Coburg’s cultural diversity is reflected through its street and music festivals, hip cafes, vibrant restaurants, clubs, markets and arcades.

Ethnic shops, discount stores, supermarkets, fresh fruit and vegetable markets plus international grocery outlets are mainly in the commercial precinct between Coburg railway station and Sydney Road.

In Victoria Street, the revamped pedestrian mall is a relaxed meeting place with seating areas, native trees and bluestone paving, near cafes and the library.

A favourite of the foodies, Coburg offers authentic Italian dishes at Cornerstone Pizzeria, Turkish fare at Chorba Café, a Bluestone American barbecue restaurant, pub meals at the Browns Corner Hotel, and Asian delights at the Wang Wang Chinese dumpling eatery.

There is a plethora of bakeries and patisseries, including O'Heas Bakery & Deli, the original Ferguson Plarre Bakehouse, Trivelli Cake Shop, the Middle Eastern Zatar, and The Pie Place in Walkers Arcade.

The old Pentridge Prison site also offers the Glass Den, a trendy café with outdoor seating and health-conscious fare, as well as Mela Patisserie in the shopping centre.

Entertainment reminiscent of the 1950s can be experienced under the stars at the Coburg Village drive-in cinema, the largest in the southern hemisphere. Featuring three screens, it has space for 900 cars and a diner offering fast food, popcorn, soft drinks and ice cream.

Coburg’s renowned Merri Creek Trail is the place to escape the hubbub, as is the Harmony Skate Park and Bridges Reserve, a heritage park with a memorial adjoining the Coburg Leisure Centre.

In Gaffney Street, the Coburg Lake Reserve is a great spot for a picnic or barbecue. Created in 1915, the large green space has playgrounds with a maze and flying fox, landscaped lawns with shade trees and seats overlooking the lake, free gym equipment, a chessboard table and abundant birdlife.

Getting around or out of the suburb is easy with three tram lines, two train stations, several bus routes and access to freeways.

Educational needs are met with a special developmental school plus numerous government, Catholic and Christian primary schools, including Coburg North and St Pauls. There are a variety of secondary colleges, such as Coburg High, the Antonine College and Mercy Girls College. The Australian International Academy provides Islamic primary and secondary education.

Coburg is home to three football clubs, including the Coburg Lions, based at Coburg City Oval since 1915, West Coburg and Northern Saints. It also has basketball, cricket, tennis, baseball, swimming, table tennis, track cycling and soccer clubs.

One of the oldest sporting clubs in the area is the Coburg Harriers Athletic Club, established in 1896 and counts Olympic medal winners, Australian record holders and Commonwealth Games representatives among its past members.

There is also the top-class Harold Stevens Athletic Track at Jacksons Reserve, the Coburg velodrome for keen cyclists, and the Coburg Basketball Stadium.

To find out more view the Coburg Suburb Profile >