12th April 2021 / Prue Fletcher: SUBURB SPOTLIGHT | WARRANDYTE VIC 3113

SUBURB SPOTLIGHT | WARRANDYTE VIC 3113

A dog walker's paradise and a horse enthusiast's dream, the heartbeat of Warrandyte winds its way through the centre of the suburb in the form of the Yarra River.

Located just 24 km's from Melbourne's CBD, in years gone by it may have been referred to as somewhat of a 'hippiedom' but in more recent years is now looked upon with endearment as we all yearn to embrace the slower pace and learn a thing or two from the young families, old lovers and groups of friends who have long called this creative oasis home.

Famous for its old fashioned woodfire bread, The Bakery Warrandyte is one of the true gems of the town and popular amongst locals and tourists alike. Whether it's a rustic meat pie you're after or a thick slice of carrot cake, there is something truly delectable for everyone! Positioned alongside a nature playground for kids, the setting invites you to sit back and soak up the small-town atmosphere whilst enjoying a creamy flat white. Once finished, why not purchase some poultry feed and head down to feed the ducks! In true community spirit, all duck feed proceeds are donated to Wildhaven, a registered non-profit wildlife rehabilitation centre specialising in Australian Wildlife.

A trip to The Bakery Warrandyte will do more than fill your stomach, but also your mind and soul!

Often touted for its thriving arts culture and small-town feel, it's clear that these are some of the major reasons why so many people are attracted to the suburb. Josh Teskey, from ARIA-winning blues band, The Teskey Brothers, was recently quoted in The Domain as saying that where he and brother Sam went to school 'music was encouraged.' Located in a beautiful, natural setting, Warrandyte High prides itself having strong links to its local community with an extensive curriculum and co-curricular prospectus and is easily supported by both private and public transport routes.

Adding to the already bustling scene along the Yarra, on the first Saturday of the month market goers are treated to the largest market in the Eastern suburbs - the Warrandyte Riverside Market. Selling everything from fresh fruit and vegetables to soaps made from goat's milk and olive oil, the creative souk offers a glimpse into the vibrance of the artistic community which has been the epicentre of the leafy suburb since the 1970s.

With all the post-pandemic research suggesting that now more than ever, buyers are being attracted by a real sense of real community, Warrandyte - appears to tick all the boxes. Having recently purchased in the suburb, a new local resident was reported as saying in an article posted by realestate.com.au, 'Warrandyte, where Australia most want to live' that 'you walk past people in Melbourne and they just look at their phone, but in Warrandyte, people who you've never met before stop and say hello' he said.

The Warrandyte residence is synonymous with sustainable living. Often mud brick or modernist in design, a Knox or Hipwell if you're lucky, the nostalgic architecture has seen the contemporary crowd flock to the suburb, resulting in property here becoming particularly hot commodity in recent years.

An expectation that homes must now be both aesthetically pleasing and gentle on the earth, means a home in Warrandyte or 'lifestyle property' as they are so fondly referred to as, are fast moving up the search list!

Putting Warrandyte on the map in the modern design scene, Lucy Feagins from The Design Files, interviewed local resident and interior stylist Anna Byrnes after having recently renovated her 1960's John Hipwell home. 'I feel this is our own private retreat where we can remove ourselves from the daily grind and reconnect with nature", echoing the sentiment of the suburbs booming popularity.

With the median property price in Warrandyte currently sitting at $1,550,000*, Fletchers Senior Associate Dominic Cruz believes it's been a long time coming watching the rest of the world wake up to the attraction of the slower pace lifestyle.

"We've felt the murmur for a while, a push from inner city buyers seeking a tree change & stronger sense of community to raise a family and here in Warrandyte – we have it all! One of the few suburbs in Melbourne that offers river frontage living whilst still offering a reasonable commute to the CBD with the Eastern Freeway just 10km away'.

Here Dominic gives us his top tips on how to spend a weekend in Warrandyte:

Market – Warrandyte Riverside Market, held on the 1st Saturday of the month
Coffee - Warrandyte Cafe
Dinner – The Grand Hotel
Brunch – Kokomo Cafe
Park / Recreation – Stiggants Reserve
Fashion – Warranwood Nursery
Something for the kids – Playground by The Bakery
Art & Culture - Pottery Expo Warrandyte
After work drinks - The Grand Hotel
Inside scoop – 46 Pound Road, Warrandyte. A character sanctuary of stunning design and scenery, this tri-level home evokes a real sense of tranquillity, whilst supplying a well-configured floorplan for the modern family.

To discover more of our Warrandyte properties, contact Fletchers Warrandyte Senior Associate Dominic Cruz on 0409 410 161 to discuss all of your property needs.

*Median price sourced via REIV website