Parkville, Victoria facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Parkville Melbourne, Victoria
Terrace houses in Parkville
Parkville Location in Melbourne
Population	7,074 (2021 census)
• Density	1,770/km2 (4,600/sq mi)
Established	1861
Postcode(s)	3052, 3010
Elevation	41 m (135 ft)
Area	4 km2 (1.5 sq mi)
Location	3 km (2 mi) N of Melbourne
LGA(s)	City of Melbourne City of Merri-bek
State electorate(s)	Brunswick Melbourne
Federal Division(s)	Melbourne
Suburbs around Parkville: Moonee Ponds Brunswick West Brunswick Flemington Travancore Parkville Carlton North North Melbourne Melbourne Carlton

Parkville is a suburb located close to the center of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. It's about 3 kilometers north of Melbourne's main business area. In 2021, about 7,074 people lived there.

Parkville is surrounded by other suburbs like North Melbourne, Carlton, Brunswick, and Flemington. It's known for its large park, Royal Park, which is home to the famous Royal Melbourne Zoological Gardens. This park was also where athletes stayed during the 2006 Commonwealth Games.

This suburb is a very important place for education, research, and healthcare. It has the University of Melbourne, a part of Monash University, and several major hospitals like the Royal Melbourne Hospital and the Royal Children's Hospital.

The houses in Parkville are quite expensive. This is because it's so close to the city and the beautiful park. Many homes are old Victorian-era buildings, including lovely terrace houses, on streets lined with trees.

History of Parkville

How Parkville Got Its Name

Melbourne city skyline panorama, as seen from Royal Park

The name "Parkville" might have come from Royal Park. In the 1870s, one of the first homes in the area was called "Park-ville." Before then, this area was often considered part of North Melbourne or Carlton. The name "Parkville" became common after 1875.

Early Days and the University

The first important building in Parkville was the University of Melbourne, built in 1853. People started buying land for houses in Parkville South in 1861. More areas were opened for housing in 1868 near Royal Parade and Flemington Road. By the 1870s, Parkville was a popular place for middle-class families. Many large terrace houses were built during this time.

Entrance to the Royal Melbourne Zoological Gardens in 1940

Parkville During the Wars

Aerial panorama of Royal Park. The Melbourne skyline sits on the left of the horizon.

During World War I and World War II, Royal Park was used as a military camp. It was even a temporary camp for US soldiers during World War II.

In 1944, the main Melbourne Hospital moved to Parkville. Later, in 1960, the Victorian College of Pharmacy opened here. It is now a campus of Monash University.

The buildings used for the athletes during the 2006 Commonwealth Games were also built in Parkville. This area is now a residential neighborhood called Parkville Gardens.

Who Lives in Parkville?

Aerial panorama of Melbourne's skyline from Parkville. September 2023.

Aerial of Parkville looking north. You can see Royal Park (top left), Royal Melbourne Hospital (center left), Royal Parade (center), and the University of Melbourne campus (right).

In 2016, about half of the people living in Parkville were born in Australia. Other people came from countries like China, Malaysia, England, New Zealand, and India. Most people speak English at home, but many also speak Mandarin.

Homes in Parkville

Most of the homes in Parkville are in the southern part of the suburb. This area is protected because of its historic buildings. It has many beautiful houses that date back to the 1800s.

Learning in Parkville

Old Arts Building at the University of Melbourne

Parkville is a major center for learning. Here are some of the important places:

• The University of Melbourne is a very famous university. It has many colleges like Queen's College, Melbourne and Ormond College.
• University High School is a well-known secondary school.
• Monash University has a campus here, which used to be the Victorian College of Pharmacy.
• Ridley Melbourne - Mission & Ministry College is also located in Parkville.

Getting Around Parkville

Royal Park railway station

Parkville is well-connected by different types of transport.

Buses

Several bus routes serve Parkville, connecting it to other parts of Melbourne. For example, route 401 goes from North Melbourne station to the University of Melbourne.

Roads

The main road through Parkville is Royal Parade. This road eventually becomes Sydney Road and then the Hume Highway, which is a major road leading towards Sydney.

Trains

The main train station in Parkville is Royal Park. It's located near the Melbourne Zoo and is on the Upfield line. There are also plans for a new underground train station in Parkville as part of the Melbourne Metro Rail Project.

Trams

Parkville is served by many tram routes. The Melbourne University Tram Stop is a very busy stop. From here, you can catch trams to many different parts of Melbourne, including the city center and suburbs like Coburg, Malvern East, and Kew.

Parks and Green Spaces

Royal Park

Royal Park

Royal Park is a huge park, covering 181 hectares. It's the biggest inner-city park in Melbourne. This park is where the Royal Melbourne Zoological Gardens are located.

Royal Park is also a great place for sports and seeing wildlife. The Parkville District Cricket Club plays here. There's also a golf course, the Royal Park Golf Course, north of the Zoo.

Images for kids

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  Melbourne city skyline from Royal Park.

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  Entrance to the Royal Melbourne Zoological Gardens in 1940.

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  Aerial view of Royal Park with the Melbourne skyline.

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  Melbourne's skyline from Parkville.

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  Aerial view of Parkville looking north.

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  Old Arts Building at the University of Melbourne.

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  Royal Park railway station.

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  Royal Park.