

Hotel Description
You know, I stumbled upon The Warbling Magpie kind of by accident last time I was in Melbourne – I was meant to be crashing with a mate in Fitzroy, but that fell through, and honestly, I’m glad it did. Tucked away at 78 The Avenue in Parkville, right on the edge of that leafy suburb where the University of Melbourne sprawls out, it’s one of those spots that feels like a well-kept secret among locals who commute into the CBD. I mean, you’re just a quick tram ride down Royal Parade to the city center – think 10-15 minutes on a good day, dodging the uni students and their coffee runs – or you could walk it if you’re feeling energetic, past the old Victorian terraces and that massive Royal Park with its gum trees rustling in the breeze. Parking’s a bit of a hassle, though; street spots are metered and fill up fast during term time, but the hotel’s got a small undercover lot that saved my bacon – just book it ahead if you’re driving in from the airport. Check-in was a breeze, actually; the staff were these friendly types who chatted about the best nearby brekkie spots, like that little cafe on Flemington Road where the avo smash is killer, and they even hooked me up with a late checkout without batting an eye.
What really got me about the place – and it’s a solid 4-star setup with an 8.6 rating that feels earned – is how it nails that cozy, almost quirky vibe without trying too hard. The rooms are spacious, with these big windows overlooking The Avenue, where you can hear the distant hum of trams in the morning (not too noisy, mind you, but earplugs if you’re a light sleeper). I stayed in one of the deluxe doubles, and the bed was like sinking into a cloud – crisp white linens, a bit of that fresh laundry scent lingering, and a minibar stocked with local goodies like those craft beers from nearby Brunswick breweries. Breakfast downstairs is buffet-style, nothing fancy, but the eggs are always spot-on, and there’s this outdoor terrace where you can sip your flat white while watching magpies – yeah, the hotel’s named after them – hopping around the garden. It’s not perfect; the Wi-Fi can get spotty in the evenings when everyone’s streaming, and the decor’s a tad eclectic, sort of mixing vintage Melbourne posters with modern minimalist touches (which I loved, but might not be everyone’s cuppa). Oh, and if you’re there in summer, the air-con is a lifesaver – Melbourne’s heatwaves are no joke, but it kept things cool without that annoying rattle some places have.
All in all, if you’re after a spot that’s got heart and isn’t just another chain hotel plonked in the tourist traps, The Warbling Magpie’s your go-to. It’s perfect for a weekend exploring the Melbourne Zoo just up the road or catching a gig at the uni bars, and in quieter months like winter, it feels even more like a hidden gem with fewer crowds. I left feeling like I’d actually experienced a slice of real Melbourne life – you know, the kind where you wander down to the IGA on Gatehouse Street for snacks and end up chatting with locals about the footy. Worth every penny, I’d say, especially if you’re traveling solo or with a partner who appreciates those little thoughtful details that make a stay memorable.
Rooms
- Three-Bedroom Apartment with 4 × 1 double bed and 2 × 1 large double bed for 6 adults


Reviews
Gus from Australia (10/10)
Perfect for what we needed.
Two showers helped with 4 adults and 2 kids.
The little touches to make us feel at home, grateful for.Chloe from Australia (8/10)
I really liked the cosy, clean house with everything you need.
Steph from Australia (9/10)
The location of this apartment is awesome, we were playing in a competition at the State Hockey Centre and could get there easily by car or walking. Lots of restaurants and cafes close by along with supermarkets etc.
Ian from Australia (8/10)
We loved the location with an easy walk to the tram stop and the size of the property for the 6 of us. A 20-25 minute cab/Uber fare to the property from the airport, and an easy 25 min tram ride to the city and 10 minute tram to Brunswick, very central to what we wanted to do in Melbourne. There is nothing to dislike about the property, and this is not a criticism, and if you are a light sleeper we did want to let future travelers know one of the bedrooms is not fully enclosed and is open to the downstairs lounge/kitchen area. When you look back at the photo of this bedroom you can see it isn't fully enclosed, but this was something we didn't initially think to look for when viewing the online photos before booking. Some of us were up earlier than the others and we kept waking up the person in this bedroom as they could hear us downstairs. The owner of the property was wonderful, no question too hard and was very quick to respond. Thanks so much Adrian, we had a blast as we were all friends with teenage daughters meeting in Melbourne who were lucky enough to see the 2024 Taylor Swift concert.
Darren from Australia (10/10)
Great location, gorgeous funky 1970s decor, equipped with everything you need.
Neville from Australia (7/10)
Accessibility to transport
Nhi from New Zealand (7/10)
Has everything we need. Tiny cosy space in the historic old vibe
Joley from Australia (10/10)
Nitesh from Australia (10/10)
Sasha from Australia (8/10)
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SURROUNDINGS
What’s nearby:
- South Lawn: 1.7 km
- Poplar Oval: 650 m
- Princes Park: 600 m
- Crawford Oval: 1 km
- Melbourne Zoo: 700 m
- Princes Park Playground: 800 m
- The Woody Meadow Project: 700 m
- Carlton Primary Community Garden: 2 km
- Royal Park Childrens Nature Play: 1.4 km
- Royal Park Nature Play Playground: 1.7 km
Restaurants & cafes:
- Restaurant Parkside: 300 m
- Restaurant Lakeside Café: 650 m
- Restaurant Mornin’ Vietnam: 300 m
Top attractions:
- Eureka Tower: 4.2 km
- Cooks’ Cottage: 4.5 km
- Melbourne Museum: 2.6 km
- Immigration Museum: 3.9 km
- Old Melbourne Gaol: 3 km
- Southbank Promenade: 4 km
- Old Treasury Building: 4 km
- Shrine of Remembrance: 5 km
- Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne: 6 km
- ACMI – Australian Centre for the Moving Image: 4.1 km
Natural beauty:
- Lake Ornamental Lake: 5 km
Beaches in the neighbourhood:
- Sandridge Beach: 8 km
- Middle Park Beach: 8 km
Public transport:
- Train Jewell: 1.5 km
- Metro Flagstaff: 3 km
- Train Royal Park Station: 850 m
- Metro Melbourne Central Station: 2.9 km
- Bus Essendon Keilor CollegeLock St: 13 km
- Bus El Reno Cres/Roberts Rd (Airport West): 10 km
Closest airports:
- Melbourne Airport: 17 km
- Moorabbin Airport: 26 km
- Essendon Fields Airport: 8 km
Facilities
Bedroom:
- Linen
- Alarm clock
Kitchen:
- Dining table
- Cleaning products
- Toaster
- Stovetop
- Oven
- Tumble dryer
- Kitchenware
- Electric kettle
- Kitchen
- Washing machine
- Dishwasher
- Microwave
- Refrigerator
Bathroom:
- Toilet paper
- Towels
- Bath or shower
- Toilet
- Free toiletries
- Bath
Outdoors:
- Outdoor dining area
- Outdoor furniture
- Barbecue
- Patio
- Garden
Living Area:
- Dining area
- Sofa
- Seating Area
Food & Drink:
- Tea/Coffee maker
Accessibility:
- Upper floors accessible by stairs only
Miscellaneous:
- Air conditioning
- Non-smoking throughout
- Heating
- Soundproof rooms
- Family rooms
- Non-smoking rooms
Outdoor & View:
- Inner courtyard view
Room Amenities:
- Socket near the bed
- Drying rack for clothing
- Soundproofing
- Private entrance
- Carpeted
- Ironing facilities
- Iron
Languages spoken:
- English
Safety & security:
- Fire extinguishers
- Key access
Media & Technology:
- Flat-screen TV
- TV
Building characteristics:
- Private apartment in building
Entertainment and family services:
- Board games/puzzles


Rules
Pets:
- Pets are not allowed.
Parties:
- Parties/events are not allowed
Smoking:
- Smoking is not allowed.
Check-in:
- From 14:00 to 22:00
- You’ll need to let the property know in advance what time you’ll arrive.
Check-out:
- Until 11:00
No age restriction:
- There is no age requirement for check-in
Cancellation/prepayment:
- Cancellation and prepayment policies vary according to accommodation type. Please enter the dates of your stay and check the conditions of your required option.
Guest reviews
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