Your Weekend in Collingwood — March 2026
Collingwood runs on a reliable weekend rhythm: coffee, food, wander, drink. The suburb is 3km from the CBD, well-connected by tram 86 on Smith Street and Collingwood station on the Hurstbridge/Mernda line, and packed with enough venues that you could spend every Saturday here for a year without repeating yourself.
Here is what is worth your time this weekend.
Saturday Morning: Coffee and Breakfast
Proud Mary (172 Oxford Street) has been a Collingwood anchor since 2009. The weekend brunch queue is real — expect 15-20 minutes on a Saturday — but the bottomless drip coffee and the Full Mexican with house-made chorizo justify the wait. If the queue puts you off, walk up Wellington Street to Aunty Peg’s (200 Wellington Street), which shares the same roastery but draws fewer crowds. The single-origin pour-over here is excellent, and the two-storey space doubles as a barista training school.
For something quick, Hi Fi Collingwood (316 Smith Street) does chef-made sandwiches, proper espresso, and has a curated vinyl selection. It is the kind of place where breakfast turns into an hour of record browsing.
Saturday Mid-Morning: Smith Street and Beyond
Smith Street between Johnston Street and Gertrude Street is the main event. On any Saturday you will find:
- Polyester Records (313 Smith Street) — a Melbourne institution for vinyl. Deeper crates than you would expect, and the staff know their stock.
- Vintage and independent fashion — the stretch between Johnston Street and Hoddle Street is wall-to-wall op shops, vintage stores, and small designers.
- Walk east along Johnston Street for a different pace. The vibe shifts to residential and industrial — more dog-walkers, fewer crowds, and less competition for cafe tables.
Saturday Afternoon: Culture and Fresh Air
Abbotsford Convent (1 St Heliers Street, Abbotsford) is a 15-minute walk south from Smith Street. A former convent turned arts hub with galleries, artist studios, a bakery, and gardens backing onto the Yarra. On weekends there is usually a market, exhibition, or workshop running.
Collingwood Children’s Farm (70 St Heliers Street) is another 10 minutes past the Convent. Open daily 9am-5pm, with a farmers’ market on the second Saturday of each month. Even without the market, it is a genuinely calming spot with a cafe overlooking the Yarra.
The Main Yarra Trail runs through the area — walk, run, or cycle from Collingwood to the CBD (about 45 minutes on foot) or east toward Dights Falls. The section near the Convent is at its best in late March with autumn light starting to filter through.
Saturday Evening: Dinner and Drinks
Le Bon Ton (51 Gipps Street) is a New Orleans-inspired smokehouse with exposed brick, a beer garden that runs until 1am on weekends, and a smoked brisket that justifies the trip alone. The cocktail list is bourbon-heavy and the atmosphere tips into Southern Gothic. Open Tuesday to Sunday from midday.
Stomping Ground (Gipps Street) is one of Collingwood’s standout breweries. The beer range covers crisp lagers through to hazy IPAs, and the taproom atmosphere is relaxed enough for couples or groups. Good food menu beyond standard brewery fare.
Easey’s (Easey Street) does burgers in converted train carriages on a rooftop. It sounds gimmicky but the food is solid, the views over Collingwood rooftops are good, and it is the kind of venue that visitors remember. A strong option for a casual Saturday night.
For something low-key, grab cured meats and natural wine at one of the delis on Smith Street, or head to a quieter bar on Langridge Street.
Sunday: Slow It Down
Sunday in Collingwood starts later. The cafes adjust — service is relaxed, tables turn slower, and nobody judges you for a 10:30am breakfast.
Walk through Victoria Park (the former Collingwood Football Club ground) for a bit of sporting history and green space. Then loop back to Smith Street for lunch, or take tram 86 into the CBD if you want a change of scene.
Sunday pub sessions are worth seeking out — relaxed atmosphere, sometimes live music, and no pressure to be anywhere else.
FAQ
What is the best street for a weekend in Collingwood? Smith Street. It is the main commercial strip with cafes, restaurants, bars, vintage shops, and record stores. Johnston Street and Gipps Street are strong secondary options.
Is Collingwood good for families on weekends? Yes. Collingwood Children’s Farm, Abbotsford Convent, and the Yarra Trail are all family-friendly. The Saturday morning farmers’ market (second Saturday of each month) is popular with families.
How do I get to Collingwood on the weekend? Tram 86 runs along Smith Street from the CBD. Collingwood station is on the Hurstbridge/Mernda line. Tram 12 runs along Victoria Parade. Driving is fine but parking on Smith Street is limited on weekends.
What is there to do in Collingwood at night? Le Bon Ton, Stomping Ground, and the bars along Smith Street cover everything from cocktails to craft beer. The 86 tram runs until around 1am on weekends for getting home or continuing into the CBD.
Verdict
Collingwood in March 2026 is a suburb that knows exactly what it is: caffeinated, creative, slightly scruffy, and reliably entertaining. The weekend formula is coffee, browse, eat, drink, and you can execute it well every single Saturday. Smith Street is the starting point, but the side streets — Gipps, Easey, Wellington, Johnston — are where the depth lives.
More on Collingwood: Collingwood suburb guide | Things to do in Collingwood | [Collingwood nightlife guide](/collingwood/nightlife-guide/)
Explore More of Collingwood
- Collingwood History
- Collingwood Late Night Eats
- Collingwood Cheap Eats
- Collingwood Rent Guide
- Collingwood Date Night Guide
- Collingwood New Openings
- Collingwood Things To Do
- Collingwood Rent Report
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