Eltham

Eltham is just a ‘stone’s throw’ from Melbourne city which is just one of the reasons it is popular with some of Victoria’s well known celebrities (think Kerry Armstrong, Ben Mendelsohn, Peter Hitchener, Wilbur Wilde). It’s hilly terrain means finding real estate pockets of leafy green privacy, only 20kms from the city, is achievable. Eltham is also renowned for its artistic scene as it is home to Monsalvat which represents Australia’s oldest continuously active artists’ community. Today, the medieval style buildings offer gardens, a restaurant, regular events and 20 or more artists and artisans in studios on site. If you’re of a sporting mind you’ll be pleased with what is on offer with basketball, soccer and tennis well represented, along with football, netball and lawn bowls. Eltham railway station is located on the Hurstbridge line and ferroequinologists (those who love trains) will delight in the Diamond Valley Railway Park and an historic wooden railway trestle bridge still in use today. For those wanting a little bit of everything, or an inner city feel but with a relaxed vibe, then Eltham deserves to be in your top five of places to inspect.