South Yarra

Strut your stuff along Chapel Street and after arming yourself with internationally renowned designer labels from the vast array of fashion boutiques in Prahran and South Yarra, seat yourself at a chic café or bar and get ready to see and be seen. Chapel Street is the backbone of Prahran and South Yarra and is lined with trendy shops selling all things groovy and hip from cutting edge fashion to funky homewares and inspiring gifts. Browse Australian designers like Scanlan and Theodore, Colette Dinnigan and Bettina Liano. Nearby Toorak Road and High Street are also well-known shopping strips, offering understated sophistication with exclusive shops and boutiques. Detour to Greville Street (just off Chapel Street in Prahran) for offbeat retro clothing and eclectic gifts, jewellery and record stores. If you're in the area on a Sunday afternoon, wander through Greville Street Market. For fantastic fresh food and discount shopping don't miss the Prahran Market on Commercial Road. Cool bars and cafés like Caffand e Cucina, café Domo, Pieroni and Chinois are as much about fresh food and cocktails as providing great scope for people-watching, a common pastime in this part of town. Fashion devotees, art students, 30-something professionals, models, techno kids and skaters 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. Catch trams 72, 8 or 6 from Swanston Street or take the train from Flinders Street Station to either Prahran or South Yarra stations.