The City of Greater Geelong, which encompasses about 60 suburbs, has boomed in popularity with growth areas like Waurn Ponds and Armstrong Creek attracting families due to their affordable price point and sense of community.

Relaxing lifestyle, every day

Geelong itself is the second biggest city in Victoria, ideally located about an hour from Melbourne. The wider region is situated along the Barwon River and its coastline stretches along Port Phillip Bay, Corio Bay and the Bellarine Peninsula.

In town, you can take a stroll on the Geelong foreshore or try and spot a dolphin off the Cunningham Pier before taking a ride on the iconic carousel. On the first Sunday of the month, you can attend the Geelong Waterfront Makers and Growers Market where locals offer fresh produce, art and crafts. Or shop to your heart’s content at the Westfield Shopping Centre in the CBD.

If you want to explore a bit more, the picturesque Great Ocean Road is just a short drive away. In summer, catch a wave or build a sandcastle at Torquay or Ocean Grove, then enjoy fish and chips while watching the sunset. Or catch the Vline service to Melbourne, where attractions like the MCG, Melbourne Zoo and DFO shopping centre can be easily accessed.

The best opportunities

There are a number of top-quality schools in the Geelong region across both the private and public sectors. Some of the top ones include Geelong Grammar School, Matthew Flinders Girls Secondary College and Christian College Geelong.

For families with older children, Deakin University Geelong offers a range of further education courses, as does The Gordon TAFE.

A number of grassroots and professional sporting clubs operate across the wider region, including AFL, basketball, netball, soccer, cricket, tennis, horse riding and cycling.

Something for everyone

Properties in the Geelong region range from older-style weatherboard cottages to newly-built homes in the city’s growth suburbs, as well as modern houses and apartments.

Realestate.com.au provided the following data for Geelong’s CBD as of September 2022 (based on sales over the previous 12 months):

• Median price: $875,000 for houses and $657,500 for units (a figure that has grown by 8.9 percent in the last year)
• Rental returns: $500 per week for a house with an annual rental yield of 2.8 per cent and $420 for units with an annual rental yield of 3.6 per cent
• Sales: 54 houses and 66 units were sold in the suburb of Geelong in the last year

Geelong’s Barry Plant team is dynamic and knowledgeable across the rental and sales market, and works closely with neighbouring offices to produce great results throughout the region. Looking to buy, sell or rent in the Geelong area? Get in touch.