Belmont 3216: Affordable, accessible and thriving with amenities
Belmont, meaning Beautiful Hill, is an established suburb ideally located just 4km from the heart of Geelong.
The suburb is one of Geelong's oldest and largest, and has become popular with young families, first-home buyers and downsizers alike.
It is bordered by the Barwon River and neighbouring suburbs of Grovedale and Newtown. According to the 2021 Census, about 15,000 people call Belmont home.
Central to the suburb is a strip of shops along High St where cafes, takeaway shops and clothing stores can be found, as well as major supermarkets Coles and Aldi. And the Belmont Village Shopping Centre offers other shops including KMart, Wendy’s and Specsavers.
It’s also surrounded by parks and recreation facilities such as the Belmont Common, Barwon Valley Golf Club and the Barwon Valley Park, and walking tracks along the Barwon River.
There are plenty of sports clubs on offer in Belmont, including at the South Barwon Reserve which has facilities for cricket clubs, a BMX track and an off-leash dog area. The Barwon Valley Activity Centre has indoor basketball and netball courts, as well.
There are a number of quality schools in the area including Belmont Primary School, Belmont High School, Oberon Primary School and Barwon Valley School. And Deakin Univerisity’s Geelong campuses in Waurn Ponds and the CBD are also easily accessible.
Belmont is also close to major roads including Princes Highway, the Geelong Ring Road, and has easy access to the Surf Coast Highway and the start of the Great Ocean Road. Or hop on a train at nearby South Geelong or Marshall Station, which connect to the wider Geelong region and Melbourne’s CBD.
Data from the Real Estate Institute of Victoria (REIV) shows the median price for a house in Belmont was about $770,000 in the 12 months to June 2022. A unit was priced at about $616,000 in that same period - a rise of 27 per cent compared to the 12 months to June 2021.
Barry Plant Geelong agent and auctioneer Matt Hunt said younger buyers were taking advantage of the suburb’s block sizes and established homes for subdivisions or renovations.
“It’s a suburb that’s only getting better,” Mr Hunt said.
“High St is certainly increasing with more cafes and restaurants, and bringing that Melbourne convenience and lifestyle that’s hitting well with the younger generation.”