A leafy suburb with a history dating back to 1854, Berwick is perfect for those looking to invest in an area with a country feel that is growing in popularity with home buyers.

Part of the City of Casey and about 41km south-east of Melbourne, Berwick is surrounded by suburbs such as Beaconsfield, Narre Warren, Narre Warren South and Guys Hill.

According to data from realestate.com.au, property growth in Berwick has been on the rise since 2016 and it doesn’t look like it’s slowing down anytime soon.

Houses in the suburb are available for rent at $440 per week with an annual yield of 2.8 per cent. Units lease at $390 per week with a rental yield of 3.3 per cent. Investors can be sure of the suburb’s popularity as there is only a 0.76 per cent vacancy rate as of December 2021.

There is also a steady growth rate for properties in Berwick as houses have a compound growth rate of 7.2 per cent, while units have a compound growth rate of 7.6 per cent.

Architecturally, properties in Berwick are reminiscent of popular home design of the 1980s and 1990s. While some are more modern and contemporary, other properties are inspired by the bushland and countryside that surrounds the suburb.

The heritage of Berwick has also been retained in the older, public buildings on the northern side of the suburb.

The suburb with a laid back vibe is mostly home to families looking to settle down because of its spacious houses and streets, coupled with the rural feel. In terms of education, the suburb has a mixture of public and private, and primary and secondary schools including Berwick Lodge Primary School, Kambrya College, Haileybury Girls College, St Catherine’s Primary School, St Margaret’s and Berwick Grammar School, and the select-entry Nossal High School. Berwick is also home to a TAFE and a campus of Monash University.

High Street, Berwick, is a favourite among the locals, filled with shops, cafes and restaurants for residents to get brunch or run errands.

Nearby, the large and popular Fountain Gate Shopping Centre includes hundreds of stores, restaurants, cinemas and in-centre events. For those who prefer outdoor activities, Berwick is also home to Wilson Botanic Park, which comprises 39ha of natural greenery. Located off Princes Highway, the park features a variety of wildlife and many species of trees and plants.

The area offers a plethora of attractions such as the Rose Garden, Sensory Garden, Amphitheatre, Ball Games Area, Little Red Train and Parkrun. If you are looking to invest in Berwick, the median property price as of December 2021 was $815,000 for houses and $620,750 for units. These figures have been on a steady increase since 2016 and are expected to rise further.

The area is also well serviced by a train station and bus services, and there is easy access to major roads such as the Princes Highway and Monash Freeway.