Just 21 km from Melbourne’s CBD, it has grown from a quiet country area into a bustling metropolis on the northern end of the Plenty River Valley growth corridor in the City of Whittlesea.

Formerly named Morang after an Aboriginal word thought to mean cloudy or sky, the area displays original artefacts and stone quarries in the Granite Hills and Quarry Hills parks, scarred trees along Gordons and McDonalds roads, and dry stone walls from the farming days in the mid-1800s.

The suburb is studded with historical buildings, including Morang South school (1877) and the Commercial Hotel (1890), plus farm buildings from the 1850s, notably the LePage family homestead and art gallery.

In the 2016 Census, there were 24,060 residents in South Morang of ethnically diverse backgrounds, including English, Italian, Indian and Macedonian.

About 24 minutes from Tullamarine Airport and 40 minutes from the CBD, South Morang is a haven for families of all ages, according to local Barry Plant agents.

“There is everything here that you ask for, from top restaurants and eateries, cinemas and three train stations, to quality schools and a diverse range of housing in established and new estates,” they said.

“This all helps with future growth and property values, and attracts all types of buyers, including first-home buyers and investors to downsizers, retirees, and families seeking larger lifestyle homes.”

In May 2021, realestate.com.au listed South Morang with 31 properties for rent and 76 properties for sale.

Median property prices ranged from $650,000 for houses to $471,250 for units, and houses leased for $400 per week with an annual rental yield of 3.2 per cent while units rented for $360 per week with a rental yield of 4.0 per cent.

Based on five years of sales, South Morang saw a compound growth rate of 7.1 per cent for houses and 6.1 per cent for units.

The website considered South Morang a high-demand area with visits mainly from young, established and mature couples and families.

The postcode is home to the City of Whittlesea’s civic offices and the Plenty Ranges Arts and Convention Centre, which is a popular venue for private and corporate events, exhibitions, conferences and world-class theatre productions.

Serene lakes and waterways and hectares of natural bushland abundant with native wildlife create an idyllic setting for the area and offer walking and cycling trails, and views of the Plenty River, city skyline and mountain ranges.

The Plenty Valley Town Centre is a major hub that features the recently expanded Westfield Plenty Valley shopping centre and entertainment precinct. It offers about 200 specialty stores anchored by Coles, Woolworths, Aldi, Target and Kmart, plus a food court and fresh food outlets.

A recent $80 million redevelopment to the centre included a leisure and dining precinct with around 20 specialty retailers and food operators, plus the Village Cinemas complex.

Other shopping hubs sprawled around the suburb include a homemaker centre, the Axis lifestyle centre and Rivergum complex, while the Commercial Hotel, Farm Vigano restaurant and reception centre, plus a variety of cafes and eateries offer extra spots to meet with family and friends.

South Morang is served by extensive bus routes, major arterial roads and freeways, plus South Morang, Middle Gorge and Hawkstowe train stations on the Mernda line that cater to about 8000 commuters a day and have ample car parking and bicycle storage facilities.

There are abundant childcare and health services, sports and recreational facilities, and reputable schools, including The Lakes South Morang P-9 school and college, Marymede Catholic P-12 college, Morang South Primary School and Merriang Special Development School.

Residents also enjoy visits to the South Morang Farmers & Makers Market, and picnic, barbecue, birdwatching and bushwalking activities at Plenty Gorge Park, Hawkstowe Recreation Reserve, Morang wetlands and Quarry Hills Bushland Park.