Best of The Age’s city life coverage

How a century-old ‘zombie subdivision’ became Melbourne’s ‘worst case of urban blight’

A prime site in Melbourne’s west boasts river frontage, city views and proximity to transport links. Yet Solomon Heights has remained undeveloped for a century.

• July 28, 2025
• by Adam Carey

A city grappling with antisemitism and the blaming of weekly pro-Palestine protests

A march of protest, fringe groups and a fearful community horrified by recent attacks have made the streets of Melbourne a hotly contested space.

• July 13, 2025
• by Sophie Aubrey and Kieran Rooney

This train engineer discovered a dreamland under his new house, created by the previous owner

No one told Daniel Xu about what the previous owner had made in the space underneath his home. He couldn’t believe what he found.

• July 5, 2025
• by Lachlan Abbott

Exclusive

Melbourne roads to cop tripling of trucks as rail freight plans flounder

Australia’s busiest container port is pumping shipping containers onto Melbourne’s roads. And it’s about to get worse.

• April 24, 2025
• by Adam Carey and Sophie Aubrey

Exclusive

How handwriting and voter birthdates uncovered two alleged council election frauds

The penmanship on ballots lodged during last October’s council elections is among the evidence filed in alleged schemes of voter fraud uncovered by the Victorian Electoral Commission.

• April 7, 2025
• by Tom Cowie

‘He’s dying’: Distressed comedy fans say show continued after man’s collapse

Shocked audience members have described how the show went on while a man died during the opening night of the Melbourne International Comedy Festival.

• March 27, 2025
• by Cassandra Morgan

Exclusive

Pop superstar Robbie Williams sparks council review over keys to the city honour

The British singer received the key to Melbourne before a crowd at Federation Square. But a donation to Lord Mayor Nick Reece’s election campaign and the late notice to councillors have raised questions.

• March 25, 2025
• by Cara Waters

Exclusive

Rattle and hum: Why Suburban Rail Loop works are making some residents nauseous

Since mid-February, locals have observed an odd feeling of pressure in their ears, along with spells of dizziness, which was being caused by something many initially couldn’t identify. 

• March 23, 2025
• by Tom Cowie

‘It’s going to be a museum’: Fears for the Queen Vic Market’s future

A strike this week by fruit and vegetable traders exposed tensions between traders, management and developers.

• March 1, 2025
• by Cara Waters

‘Classic Daniel’: How the ex-premier’s housing gambit created Labor schism

Daniel Andrews’ final promise was pitched as visionary urban renewal, but it has left many Labor figures livid, deepening tensions over the state’s housing future.

• February 17, 2025
• by Royce Millar and Rachael Dexter

Updated

‘Bloody lucky’: Owner of house destroyed by landslide tells of family’s near miss

Seven homes have been evacuated in the area near Penny Lane in McCrae amid warnings other properties could be in danger.

• January 14, 2025
• by Adam Carey, Sarah Danckert, Lachlan Abbott and Angus Delaney

Almost 13 years after Robert’s death, jet-skis are still a danger at Melbourne’s beaches

As the weather heats up, videos circulate on social media of close encounters between swimmers and jet-skiers. Melbourne councils and community groups worry it will take another tragedy for the laws to change.

• January 4, 2025
• by Rachael Dexter

The man who ran around the world – without leaving Melbourne

For his 50th birthday, Melbourne’s Peter Mitchell managed to jog around the world while never even leaving the city.

• October 13, 2024
• by Carolyn Webb

How Brighton became the unexpected ground zero for Melbourne’s housing debate

Brighton’s tranquillity is derided by outsiders and beloved by locals. But it all fades when one topic of conversation comes up.

• November 29, 2024
• by Tom Cowie