Beloved cartoonist Michael Leunig’s much-loved home seeks a new chapter

In the heart of Fitzroy North, where wide tree-lined streets meet the creative pulse of Melbourne’s inner north, sits a home that was once home to one of Australia’s most cherished creative minds.

The residence at 86 Falconer Street is more than a freestanding, bay-windowed terrace; it's the home where the late, acclaimed cartoonist Michael Leunig lived and worked for nearly two decades, surrounded by parkland, natural light and the everyday rhythm of a neighbourhood that quietly shaped his observations of the world.

Leunig’s three-bedroom home showcases his framed artworks throughout.

The voice that shaped generations

Over a career spanning more than five decades, Leunig was one of Australia’s most recognisable and enduring creative figures, a cartoonist, artist and writer whose work appeared in The Age and The Sydney Morning Herald for generations.

His distinctive drawings introduced a cast of recurring characters, including the gentle Mr Curly and his iconic duck, both of which became deeply familiar to readers across the country.

Throughout his prolific career, Leunig published more than 30 books and was widely recognised for his contribution to Australian culture, including being named a National Living Treasure in 1999. His work remains instantly recognisable and continues to hold a lasting place in the nation’s cultural landscape.

Inspired by the everyday

For Leunig, Fitzroy North wasn't just a location; it was a daily source of inspiration. His son, Sunny, recalls how the very character of the street became a stage for his father's interactions with the world.

"I’d often pass by to find him out on the front bench, chatting with neighbours, people walking past, or strangers simply moving through the neighbourhood. There was a gentle sense of community that gathered around him, made up of people and stories he seemed genuinely fascinated by. It always felt as though those everyday encounters quietly fed his imagination in some way."

The home is filled with natural light and a lovely sense of space.

Creativity at the kitchen table

Inside, the home’s generous single-level layout and deep sense of peace created the ideal environment for a working artist. While the world outside remained quiet, the kitchen table became the place where cartoons slowly took shape.

"The house itself is incredibly peaceful, with almost no traffic noise," Sunny explains. "I’d often arrive to find unfinished cartoons spread across the kitchen table, ideas still in motion, somewhere between inspiration and deadline."

Moments at home

The home carried two distinct moods: the bright, airy calm of the day and the warmth of evening once the sun had disappeared. Leunig was deeply attached to the leafy courtyard, a quiet space where a simple pot of tea became part of a daily ritual centred around comfort, stillness and reflection.

When the temperature dropped, the open fireplace became the heart of the home.

"During winter I’d sometimes head over and we’d get fish and chips, pour a bottle of wine beside the open fire, and disappear into long conversations about life," Sunny recalls.

The courtyard was one of Leunig’s favourite places to sit, often with a cup of tea nearby.

In the heart of the village

Fortunate in his surroundings, Leunig enjoyed the very best of Fitzroy North living. Positioned within easy reach of the neighbourhood’s cafés, green spaces and local institutions, the home became deeply connected to the everyday rhythm of the area.

• Coffee and community: Morning walks to Cavallini’s or Mitte for coffee and conversation.
• Green spaces: A park directly opposite, with Edinburgh Gardens at one end of the street and the Merri Creek walking trails at the other.
• Local essentials: Easy afternoon strolls to neighbourhood favourites like Piedimonte’s and Wild Things.
• Culture: Frequent wanders across the bridge to catch a film at the Westgarth Cinema.

The next chapter

As this beautiful residence prepares to welcome its first new owners in nearly twenty years, it leaves behind a legacy of creativity and community. It remains a rare opportunity to live within a home that prioritises light, space, and a wonderful sense of calm.

"I’ve always loved this home, but every house eventually arrives at the moment where it belongs to a new chapter," Sunny reflects. "This beautiful place now waits for the people who will bring their own stories into it."

To experience this much-loved Fitzroy North home for yourself, view the full property listing and inspection times for 86 Falconer Street here.