Northcote is located 6 km north-east of the CBD. Bounded by the Merri Creek in the west and Darebin Rd in the north Northcote is a large residential suburb in Melbourne's inner northern suburbs. Commercial and retail activity is concentrated along High St especially at Separation St where both the Northcote Shopping Plaza and Northcote Central Shopping Centre are located. Northcote also features a number of areas of open space including the Rubie Thomson Reserve Merri Park and McDonell Park.