[1] Newport is approximately 10 minutes by car from Melbourne via the West Gate Freeway or a 20-minute train journey from Flinders Street.

The Yalukit-willam people of the Boon-wurrung Country are the traditional owners of land known as Newport, with a well researched connection to the area beyond 30,000 years.

The Newport Power Station is another feature of the suburb, the chimney of which remains one of the tallest towers in Melbourne at 183 metres.

[citation needed] Newport is home to people of a diverse mix of ethnic, social and economic backgrounds.

It has a Mosque, a Baptist church, Catholic schools, tattoo parlours, Asian and Italian restaurants, sports clubs, boutique wine bars and an RSL.

Major natural features of the suburb include the Newport Lakes, Greenwich Bay and the Sandy Point Conservation area.

Mansions and modest apartments compete for uninterrupted views of the Melbourne CBD along The Strand, while Greenwich Reserve offers access to the Yarra River and Port Phillip Bay via The Warmies Boat Ramp and includes a large picnic area, playground, baseball field and the Sandy Point Conservation Area.

Victoria University maintains a campus in Newport, which focuses on automotive, metal fabrication, building and electrical trades.

Originally constructed in 1915 to convert electricity for the Victorian Railways, this massive neo-classical brick building had fallen into disrepair by the 1960s.

Local residents embarked on the enormous task of restoring the building and converting it into a community arts facility and after 12 years of work it officially opened its doors to the public in 2008.

[17] Regular events include the annual Substation Contemporary Art Prize, the Carpark Fiesta, the monthly Artists' Market, the Koori Night Market, children's theatre, Westside Circus, dance classes, life-drawing, public forums, an art exhibition program across 5 gallery spaces and a diverse range of performance including cabaret, comedy, jazz and contemporary music.