Discovering Elwood
When it comes to property, you often need to look in the shadows to find some of the brightest stars – like Elwood, Melbourne. Sitting next to one of Melbourne’s most iconic suburbs, St Kilda, Elwood has long been overlooked. However, thanks to the ongoing development of its more famous neighbour, people are starting to recognise the appeal of its beachside village vibe.
While the area now called Elwood has been inhabited for about forty thousand years, its early history following European settlement was filled with adversity. Originally swampland, the first large group of settlers were brought to the area by fever – their ship, the Glen Huntley, landed at Point Ormond in 1840, creating Victoria’s first quarantine station. The area was also prone to heavy flooding, which has been managed – though, not completely eradicated – by the building of the Elwood Canal. Given this history, it’s amazing to see the peaceful, modern, thriving Elwood community that inhabits the area now.
Located about 8km south of the CBD, Elwood’s public transport system is limited, relying mostly on buses. There are no train stations in the suburb and a single tram line (route 67) that runs along its northern boundary. However, the area is connected to other beachside suburbs by the Bayside Trail – a shared bicycle and pedestrian path that is also popular with inline skaters.
Being a beachside suburb, the majority of Elwood’s open space is concentrated on the Bay foreshore, with Elwood Beach particularly popular during the warmer months. Elwood Canal is also popular with walkers and cyclists, having undergone significant rejuvenation over the last couple of decades. The suburb is also very pet-friendly, with several off-leash spaces – including on Elwood Beach – and easy access to dog beaches in neighbouring Elsternwick and Brighton.
Elwood is most widely known for its connection to water sports, with the Elwood Sailing Club a cornerstone of the community and the previous host of multiple national and international competitions. Elwood beach also hosts a number of windsurfing, lifesaving, and triathlon events throughout the year.
Unlike neighbouring St Kilda, which has a particularly tourist-friendly feeling, Elwood is firmly focused on the lifestyle and amenity of its residents. As there are currently no major supermarkets or retail chains in the suburb, Elwood Village has a decidedly boutique feel and features a great selection of cafes, you can’t go past Plain Sailing, organic supermarkets (The Leaf Store, is a true village grocer), and local businesses (try South Village Trading, for designer homewares and stylish fashions).
Traditionally a working class suburb, Elwood’s demographics have steadily changed over the past 50 years. It is now one of the most desirable areas in the inner-city, with most locals saying that they love the sense of community and always feel safe. In fact, the biggest complaint most residents have is that the plane trees that line the suburb’s streets can cause bouts of hay fever, particularly as the weather warms up.
If you’re interested in moving to Elwood, you’ll find a great selection of art deco properties, Edwardian houses, and spacious 50s flats. Due to the strong interest in the area, rents are generally higher than in most of the surrounding suburbs. That said, units tend to be more affordable, with rents comparable with what you would pay in other similar bayside locations.
Your Home Hunter loves the relaxed beachy lifestyle of Elwood. So, if you want that quiet village feel, but don’t want to be too far from the hustle and bustle, Elwood could be the perfect place for you.