Essendon at a glance
Essendon is the largest and busiest suburb in the City of Moonee Valley. It sits about 9km northwest of Melbourne's CBD, connected by the Craigieburn train line and multiple bus routes. The postcode is 3040.
The suburb has a proper village feel centred around Keilor Road, with smaller pockets of activity on Rose Street, Fletcher Street, Buckley Street, and the Mt Alexander Road strip near the border with Moonee Ponds.
Shopping and eating
The Keilor Road strip between Buckley Street and Mt Alexander Road is where most of the action happens. You'll find a mix of cafes, restaurants, retail, and professional services.
Key streets for food and coffee include Rose Street, Fletcher Street, Russell Street, and Glass Street. See our best cafes in Essendon for specific recommendations.
Buckley Street runs east-west and has its own cluster of shops, particularly between Pascoe Vale Road and the railway line. The DFO Essendon outlet centre is nearby on the Tullamarine Freeway.
Browse all 825 Essendon businesses on The Valley Local.
Health and medical
Essendon is well-served for healthcare. There are GPs, dentists, physiotherapists, psychologists, and specialists across the suburb. Most are concentrated along Keilor Road and Mt Alexander Road.
Browse health and wellness in Essendon.
Schools
Essendon has strong public and private school options:
- Essendon Primary School on Fletcher Street
- Essendon North Primary School
- Buckley Park College (secondary)
- Penleigh and Essendon Grammar (private, P-12)
- St Columba's Primary School
Browse education and childcare in Essendon.
Parks and recreation
- Windy Hill (home of the Essendon District Football League, with swimming pool and fitness centre)
- Cross Keys Reserve on Buckley Street
- Moonee Ponds Creek Trail for walking and cycling
- Essendon Royals Soccer Club at English Street Reserve (NPL and community football)
Browse sport and recreation in Essendon.
Transport
- Essendon station on the Craigieburn line (20 min to Flinders Street)
- Bus routes along Keilor Road, Mt Alexander Road, and Buckley Street
- Easy freeway access to Tullamarine Freeway (airport 15 min) and CityLink
The vibe
Essendon is established, family-oriented, and increasingly food-focused. The village strip has evolved a lot over the past decade, with more specialty retail and dining replacing the old-school shops. It's still got a local feel, though. People know their barista. The school run is a social event. And the side streets are genuinely quiet.
Find what you need: Browse all Essendon businesses or search the directory.
