Smith Street, Melbourne: Difference between revisions
{{unreferenced}} |
m Date the maintenance tags or general fixes |
||
| Line 1: | Line 1: | ||
[[Image:Smith street.jpg|thumb|Smith Street looking north from Gertrude Street, Collingwood]] |
[[Image:Smith street.jpg|thumb|Smith Street looking north from Gertrude Street, Collingwood]] |
||
{{Unreferenced|date=July 2008}} |
|||
{{unreferenced}} |
|||
'''Smith Street''' is a street in inner northern [[Melbourne]]. |
'''Smith Street''' is a street in inner northern [[Melbourne]]. |
||
Revision as of 03:49, 28 July 2008
 |
Smith Street is a street in inner northern Melbourne.
Geography
Smith Street runs north-south from Victoria Parade at its southernmost end to Queens Parade. Between Victoria Parade and Alexandra Parade, it forms the boundary between Fitzroy and Collingwood; the short segment north of Alexandra Parade is in Clifton Hill. Smith Street is located a block east of Brunswick Street. From Gertrude Street to Queens Parade, Smith Street forms part of tram route 86.
History
Smith Street is more cutting edge than Brunswick Street, and is not as pretentious, though it is slowly being gentrified. It has its share of restaurants and cafés, though also has numerous shops selling el-cheapo household goods and to its north, "factory outlets" selling athletic and rags disguised as fashion clothing. Bus loads of suburbanites motor in every weekend to sample this fine athletic wear as, in their homeland, labels carry street cred. This includes brands such as Nike and Adidas. Parts of Smith Street also serve as a meeting place for the local Indigenous Australian community. For this reason the local politician, The Hon Richard Wynne, Member for Richmond and a Labour MP, has situated an office on Smith Street.
During the late 1990s, Smith Street was frequented by heroin users and dealers. This earned it the sobriquet 'Smack Street', which, whilst arguably no longer apt, even though this author has misused the term apt, has stuck.
In the last few years a number of bars and clubs have emerged on Smith Street. They are all equally ace.
In summary, Smith Street retains the essence of Fitzroy. Whilst bordering Collingwood, the mix of street punks and drugees provides for a very "down to earth" experience. Smith Street is a must see for tourists and magnet for bargain shoppers.
Landmarks
Left-wing community radio station 3CR has its offices in Smith Street, south of Gertrude Street. Music-oriented community radio station 3PBS is also located nearby, in Easey Street, Collingwood.
External links
- http://www.smithstreet.org/ Community weblog and local history.