Auburn, Victoria

Auburn
Victorian streetscape of Auburn Road
Victorian streetscape of Auburn Road
Auburn is located in Melbourne
Auburn
Auburn
Interactive map of Auburn
Coordinates: 37°49′26″S 145°02′41″E / 37.8238°S 145.0447°E / -37.8238; 145.0447
CountryAustralia
StateVictoria
CityMelbourne
LGA
Government
 • State electorate
 • Federal division
Postcode
3123

Auburn is a locality within the suburb of Hawthorn, Victoria. It is located approximately 8 kilometres east of the Melbourne CBD, and is centred around its railway station and Auburn Road.

History

The area now known as Auburn was first known post-colonisation as Red Gum Flat, well-regarded for clay products.[1] The area around between Rathmines and Burke Roads was also known as Rathmines Village.[2]

The present name Auburn has two possible origins, both large 1850s residences. Reverend Henry Liddiard, for whom nearby Liddiard Street is named, owned Auburn Lodge south of Burwood Road between Glenferrie and Auburn Roads, while to the south John Collings constructed Auburn House near today's Goodall Street.[3]

The construction of a railway line between Hawthorn and Lilydale, which opened on 3 April 1882,[4] included a railway station at the level crossing with Auburn Road. This encouraged further land development and commercial growth, including the opening of the Auburn Hotel in 1888.[2]

Architecture

The area is renowned for its commercial Victorian architecture, particularly along Auburn (and to a lesser degree Burwood) roads.

Located at the intersection of Auburn and Victoria Roads, next to the train station, the Auburn Hotel opened in 1888 as a large, 3-storey coffee palace in the Second Empire style. The Hotel was also briefly known as the 'Geebung Polo Club'.[5]

Auburn Hotel, built in 1888

The streetscape on Auburn Road is also generally well-preserved. Three-storey red brick shops and other two-storey Victorian-era buildings are prominent. On the south side of Burwood Road, the Murphy Brothers' grain store stands from 1906.

Auburn Post Office opened on 10 April 1893.[6]

Transport

The area is serviced predominantly by Auburn railway station, located on the Alamein, Belgrave and Lilydale lines of the Melbourne suburban rail network.[7]

An Xtrapolis 100 train departing Auburn Station in 2024

Auburn Road, running north-south through the area, is served by the 624 bus route (Kew - Oakleigh via Caulfield & Chadstone).[8]

References

  1. ↑ "Auburn". Victorian Places. Retrieved 24 July 2026.
  2. 1 2 "Statement of Recommendation from the Executive Director, Heritage Victoria - Auburn Railway Station Complex" (PDF). Heritage Victoria. 13 January 2026. Retrieved 24 July 2026.
  3. ↑ "Auburn". Australian Places. 1999. Archived from the original on 3 February 2004. Retrieved 24 July 2026.
  4. ↑ "Auburn". Vicsig. Retrieved 24 July 2026.
  5. ↑ "Our History". Auburn Hotel. Retrieved 24 July 2026.
  6. ↑ "Post Office List", Phoenix Auctions History, retrieved 14 April 2021
  7. ↑ Victorian train network (PDF) (Map). Victoria State Government — Department of Transport and Planning.
  8. ↑ "624 Kew - Oakleigh via Caulfield & Carnegie & Darling and Chadstone (From 4-11-2018)". Public Transport Victoria.

37°49′30″S 145°02′49″E / 37.825°S 145.047°E / -37.825; 145.047