Overview and location
Local Kensington – 160 Stubbs Street is a purpose-built student accommodation in the Melbourne suburb of Kensington. The property sits roughly 3–4 km north-west of the Melbourne CBD, placing it within a short tram or bus ride of central universities and employment hubs. Kensington itself is a quieter residential neighbourhood with a mix of Victorian terraces and newer apartment blocks, local cafes and a small supermarket.
The address is Kensington VIC 3031, Australia. Public transport includes tram lines along Racecourse Road and buses to Flemington Bridge station. The Royal Children’s Hospital is within walking distance, a point that several residents highlight in their reviews. For students, the nearby campus of a major Melbourne university is reachable in about 15 minutes by tram.
Who this residence suits (and who it doesn’t)
Suits:
- Students or young professionals who want a balance between city access and a quieter neighbourhood. Kensington is less congested than the inner-city fringe, yet trams run frequently into the CBD.
- Those who prioritise on-site amenities: the building includes a swimming pool, gym and cinema. If you use these facilities regularly, the weekly rent may represent better value.
- People who need short-term flexibility. The earliest move-in date is 29 June 2026, and while no minimum lease term is stated in the data, the property appears to accept stays of several weeks to months (indicated by the two-week stay mentioned in one review).
- Families or individuals who require proximity to the Royal Children’s Hospital; the reviews specifically mention this as a major advantage.
Does not suit:
- Budget-conscious students on a tight weekly spend. Melbourne’s city-wide from-price for student accommodation is AUD $219 per week (indicative — confirm with the operator). Local Kensington starts at AUD $615 per week, roughly three times that floor. Even the lower-end studios are significantly above the city’s entry-level.
- Anyone who needs a large kitchen for daily cooking. The studio and some apartment units come with “small convenient kitchens”, as one reviewer notes. You may find it limiting if you cook elaborate meals.
- Those who prefer living right in the heart of the CBD. While Kensington is well-connected, it is not a central location. Nightlife and 24-hour retail are a short trip away, not on your doorstep.
What residents actually say
Three Google reviews are available for this property (overall Google rating: 4.0 out of 5 from 140 reviews). Below are direct excerpts.
lani60259196 (5 stars):
“Great place to stay! Really close to the CBD without being noisy or ridiculously expensive. Trams within short walking distance. Beds are extremely comfortable and I’m quite a fussy sleeper. Small convenient kitchen but we didn’t use it much other than for drinks and nibbles. Great on-site parking. We were even allowed”
The reviewer highlights the quiet yet accessible location, comfortable beds and limited kitchen use. The cut-off suggests they were allowed an extension or flexibility, but the full text isn’t available.
Kyriaki Coscia (5 stars):
“Adam and his team were extremely kind and accommodating to us during our two week stay while our son went through heart surgery at the Royal Children’s Hospital. The location was perfect for us to travel back and forth between the hospital for pre op and post op appointments and while our son was in ICU and on the ward”
This reviewer stayed for medical reasons. The management’s kindness and the location near the hospital are emphasised.
Ian and Helen Taylor (5 stars):
“I cannot speak more highly of Apartments on Chapman, and Adam. Apartments are clean, spacious and comfortable - with well stocked kitchenettes, and laundry. Walking distance from RCH. During what was a traumatic and distressing time for us at RCH, Adam showed care and kindness, was flexible and so helpful. Very gratefu”
Again, the proximity to the children’s hospital and the helpfulness of the management stand out. The mention of “Apartments on Chapman” may refer to an earlier brand name for this building. The review underscores cleanliness and comfort.
Overall, the reviews focus on comfort, location convenience for medical visits, and staff responsiveness. No negative reviews are included in the provided data.
Price positioning and room types
The property offers four unit types: studio, 2-bedroom, 3-bedroom, and apartment (the “apartment” category may represent larger self-contained flats). Weekly prices range from AUD $615 to AUD $1,420. All figures are indicative — confirm with the operator.
For context, Melbourne’s overall student accommodation from-price is about AUD $219 per week. That lower-end figure typically covers shared houses or basic rooms in older apartments. Local Kensington’s minimum price of AUD $615 puts it in the mid-to-upper tier for student housing, driven by its amenities (pool, gym, cinema) and Kensington’s relatively high rental demand.
Recommended room-type guidance:
- Studio (AUD $615+): Suitable for a single occupant who values privacy. The kitchenette is small; expect to eat out or use the shared facilities.
- 2-bedroom (price not itemised but within the overall range): Best for a pair of flatmates who want separate bedrooms but a common living area. Likely more economical per person than a studio.
- 3-bedroom: Good for a small group who want to split costs. Per-person rent could fall to around AUD $470–$500 per week if the unit is at the lower end of the 3-bedroom allocation.
- Apartment: This appears to be a larger self-contained unit with kitchen and laundry. May suit couples or small families.
No security deposit is listed in the data, but standard Australian practice often requires a bond of 4–6 weeks’ rent. Confirm with the operator.
Booking timing and availability
The earliest available move-in date is 29 June 2026. The data does not specify a minimum lease period, but the reviews mention stays of two weeks and longer, so short-term leases are possible. If you are a student enrolling in the February or July 2026 academic intake, you will need to check whether unit availability matches your start date.
Because the property has only 140 Google reviews (a modest volume for a building that may have been open a few years), it is not yet a household name in Melbourne student housing. However, given its amenities and Kensington location, it may fill up during peak periods (January–March and June–July). It is advisable to inquire at least 2–3 months before your intended move-in date. The operator’s contact details are not included here, but you can use the property’s official booking channel or an accommodation platform to check live availability.
FAQ
What is included in the rent?
The data does not list utilities (electricity, water, internet) or whether they are included. In many purpose-built student accommodations, bills are bundled into the weekly rent. You should clarify this with the operator before signing an agreement. The property does have a gym and cinema, which are likely free for residents.
Is parking available?
One reviewer specifically mentions “great on-site parking”. It is not specified whether parking is free or at an additional cost. If you plan to bring a car, confirm the parking fee and availability with the operator.
Can I stay for less than one month?
The reviews show that a two-week stay was accommodated, and the property allows stays from 29 June 2026 without a mandated minimum lease in the data. Short stays may be possible, but availability and pricing for very short tenancies (under one month) should be confirmed directly. There is no mention of a nightly rate; the weekly price structure suggests a minimum of one week.
Sources & data date
All prices and availability data are sourced from the operator’s listing as of July 2026. Prices are indicative — confirm with the operator. Resident reviews are from Google and are quoted verbatim. No other website domains or education agency names are referenced.
If you need current unit availability or wish to check specific move-in dates, the on-site assistant tool on this platform can provide live updates.
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