Vivian Li
536 Boronia Road, Wantirna, Vic 3152
AUCTION
3 1 2
Open Saturday 13 June 11:30 am Auction Saturday 27 June 12:00 pm🏛️ About This Suburb (Last Updated Date: 2026-03-06)
History, Aboriginal heritage, and the story behind the name.
Wantirna — Wurundjeri Country
Originally a region of orchards and grazing land, Wantirna remained largely rural until the post-war housing boom of the 1960s and 70s. The suburb transitioned from agricultural roots to a planned residential landscape as Melbourne's eastern corridor expanded.
Today, it is a quintessential leafy middle-ring suburb known for large family homes, significant medical infrastructure, and the major retail hub of Westfield Knox.
Overall Score
7.8
A high-performing family suburb with strong fundamentals, tempered by car dependency.
Aboriginal Name
Wantirna— "A gurgling stream"
Name Origin
Derived from the local Wurundjeri description of the Dandenong Creek.
Established
Gazetted 1927
Orchard Legacy
Was once a major apple and pear producing region for Melbourne.
Medical Hub
Home to Knox Private Hospital, the largest private hospital in the state.
Green Space
Bordered by the expansive Koomba Park and Dandenong Creek Trail.
📊 Scorecard
12 key dimensions scored 0–10. Each score includes a one-line explanation.
Market Momentum
6.5
Steady demand driven by school catchments, though high interest rates have moderated rapid price spikes.
Amenity
8.5
Exceptional access to Westfield Knox and major healthcare facilities.
Schools
9.2
Home to elite public schools like Templeton Primary, which significantly inflates local land values.
Transport
5.5
Lacks a dedicated train station, relying heavily on bus networks and the EastLink tollway.
Risk Profile
7.0
Generally low risk, but specific pockets face flood and fire overlays near parklands.
Liveability
8.2
Excellent for families due to large blocks, parks, and low crime rates.
Demographics
8.0
Stable population of high-income professionals and established families.
Rental Demand
7.5
High demand for 4-bedroom family homes near education precincts.
Growth Potential
6.8
Strong long-term prospects due to scarcity of large blocks and proximity to employment hubs.
Affordability
5.2
Becoming increasingly expensive, with house prices well above the Melbourne metropolitan median.
Crime & Safety
8.4
Statistically safer than the Victorian average, with low rates of violent crime.
Walkability
4.5
Most errands require a vehicle due to the expansive, suburban layout.
⚡ Quick Snapshot
Key metrics at a glance, plus your top advantages and watch-outs.
Median House
$1,185,000
Estimated March 2026
Median Unit
$745,000
Townhouses and units
12mo Growth
4.2%
Steady capital appreciation
Top School
Templeton Primary
Highly sought catchment
Nearest Rail
Bayswater
Approx 3-5km away
Parkland
12%
Suburb area as green space
✅ Key Advantages
- Exceptional public and private school options including Templeton Primary and The Knox School.
- Proximity to the newly redeveloped Westfield Knox shopping and entertainment precinct.
- Large residential allotments (typically 650sqm+) providing significant family space.
- Strong employment hub nearby including Knox Private Hospital and Eastern Innovation District.
- Excellent connectivity to the CBD and Mornington Peninsula via EastLink.
⚠️ Key Watch-Outs
- Significant car dependency with no rail station within the suburb boundaries.
- Traffic congestion on major arterials like Stud Road and Burwood Highway during peak hours.
- Presence of Bushfire Management Overlays (BMO) in properties bordering Dandenong Creek.
- Aging 1970s housing stock may require significant capital expenditure for thermal efficiency.
- Strict vegetation protection overlays in certain pockets can limit tree removal and development.
🏘️ Suburb Overview
Character, property mix, price range and what drives value here.
🏙️ Character
Established Family
How this suburb feels day-to-day.
🏠 Property Types
Predominantly detached brick veneer houses, with a growing number of modern townhouses.
Dominant dwelling stock.
💰 Price Range
$850k (Units) – $1.8m+ (Premium Houses)
Typical entry to ceiling.
💡 Why It Matters
Wantirna represents the 'aspirational east' for many families. Its value is anchored by educational outcomes and healthcare proximity, making it more resilient to market downturns than outer-fringe suburbs.
💰 Price Guide & Market Trends
Medians, rental market, 5-year history and property split.
🏠 House Median
$1,185,000
$1.05m – $1.65m
🏢 Unit Median
$745,000
$620k – $880k
📈 Price Trend
+4.2% past 12 months
12-month movement
🔑 Weekly Rents
Houses $680pw, Units $540pw
Current asking rents
📉 5-Year Price History
🏘️ Property Type Split
The price gap between houses and units remains wide, reflecting the high value placed on land and school zone access.
🎯 Affordability
How this suburb compares to metro and state medians.
🏙️ vs Metro Average
12% above Melbourne metro median
Price comparison
📋 Income Ratio
8.8x average household income
Median price ÷ median income
💳 Gross Yield
3.1% gross yield
Estimated rental yield
More AffordableModeratePremium
Entry levelMid rangePremium
While more affordable than neighboring Vermont South or Glen Waverley, Wantirna is no longer considered an entry-level suburb for first-home buyers.
🔥 Rental Demand
Vacancy rates, demand pressure, tenant profile, and investor outlook.
📊 Vacancy Rate
1.1%
Lower = tighter market
⏱️ Days to Lease
18 days
Avg time on market
📈 Rent Growth p.a.
+8.5% pa
Annual rental increase
Demand Level
High
👤 Tenant Profile
Professional families and medical staff from Knox Private Hospital.
💼 Investor Outlook
Strong capital growth prospects and low vacancy rates, though gross yields are compressed due to high entry prices. Focus on 4-bedroom homes for maximum tenant retention.
🚀 Growth Potential
Historical capital growth, infrastructure pipeline, and 5-year outlook.
+4.2%
1-Year Growth
+14.5% cumulative
3-Year Growth
+28.8% cumulative
5-Year Growth
📍 Growth Drivers
- Continued demand for high-ranking school catchments.
- Ongoing upgrades to Westfield Knox and surrounding commercial precincts.
- Limited supply of new detached housing in the middle-ring east.
- Expansion of the Knox medical research and health precinct.
⛔ Headwinds
- Higher for longer interest rates impacting borrowing capacity for the $1m+ segment.
- Lack of direct rail infrastructure compared to neighboring Ringwood or Mitcham.
- Increasing construction costs for renovating older 1970s stock.
🔮 5-Year Outlook
Expect steady, moderate growth. Wantirna is unlikely to see explosive spikes but will benefit from the 'ripple effect' as Glen Waverley becomes unattainable for middle-income families.
🛡️ Crime & Safety
Safety index, trend comparison, and what to check locally.
8.4
Safety Score
Above Average
📉 Trend
Stable
vs last 12 months
🏙️ vs Metro Average
18% below metropolitan average crime rate
Relative comparison
Risk Categories
Property Crime: Low
Personal Safety: Low
Traffic Incidents: Medium
📋 What to Check Locally
Standard residential security is sufficient; focus on securing properties near major shopping thoroughfares where opportunistic theft is slightly higher.
⚠️ Risk Profile
Natural hazards and planning risks to verify before buying.
📋 Summary
The primary risks are environmental and regulatory, specifically related to water management and fire safety in bush-adjacent pockets.
🌊 Flood Risk
Special Building Overlays (SBO) affect properties near Blind Creek and Dandenong Creek, indicating potential for overland flow during extreme rain.
🔥 Bushfire Risk
Properties on the western edge near Koomba Park are subject to Bushfire Management Overlays (BMO).
🏦 Insurance Impact
Expect higher premiums for properties within the BMO or SBO zones; verify with providers before settlement.
🗺️ Planning & Zoning
Development controls, overlays, and what's changing locally.
📐 Typical Zoning
General Residential Zone - Schedule 1 (GRZ1)
🔲 Overlays
Significant Landscape Overlay (SLO), Special Building Overlay (SBO), Bushfire Management Overlay (BMO).
🏗️ Development Hotspots
Burwood Highway corridor and areas within walking distance of Westfield Knox.
Zoning generally protects the 'garden city' character, but SLOs can significantly restrict your ability to remove trees or extend your home footprint.
🌳 Liveability
Day-to-day experience — transport, amenity, green space, schools and healthcare.
🚌 Transport
Heavily reliant on buses (SmartBus 901) and EastLink. Commute to CBD is 35-50 mins by car.
🛍️ Amenity & Retail
World-class retail at Westfield Knox and essential services at Knox Private Hospital.
🌲 Parks & Recreation
Abundant green space including Koomba Park, Schultz Reserve, and the Dandenong Creek Trail.
🏫 Schools
Top-tier public education (Templeton, Wantirna College) and private (The Knox School).
🏥 Healthcare
Exceptional; one of the strongest private and public health clusters in Melbourne's east.
👥 Demographics
Who lives here — income, age, ownership, and education levels.
A mature, multicultural, and affluent community dominated by established couples and families.
💵 Median Income
$98,500 pa (Household)
🏠 Ownership
78% owner-occupied (including with mortgage), 22% renting
🎂 Age Profile
Median age 41
🎓 Education
High proportion of residents with tertiary qualifications (32%+).
📊 Age Distribution
High owner-occupancy rates typically correlate with better property maintenance and community stability.
🏗️ Major Developments
Infrastructure pipeline and what it means for values and liveability.
📋 Overview
Recent focus has been on the $350m+ redevelopment of Westfield Knox and the expansion of the Knox Health precinct.
📈 Positive Impacts
- Modernized retail and community facilities at Westfield.
- Increased local employment in the healthcare sector.
- Improved public spaces and library facilities.
📉 Negative Impacts
- Increased traffic congestion around the Burwood Hwy/Stud Rd intersection.
- Construction noise from ongoing medium-density townhouse developments.
🗺️ Nearby Suburb Comparison
How neighbouring suburbs stack up on price, lifestyle and who they suit.
📍Wantirna South
Position
South
Price
10-15% more expensive
Lifestyle
More modern builds, closer to Knox City, slightly more prestigious.
Best for
Upsizers seeking newer luxury homes.
📍Bayswater
Position
East
Price
15-20% cheaper
Lifestyle
More industrial, smaller blocks, but has a train station.
Best for
First home buyers and investors.
📍Vermont
Position
West
Price
5-10% more expensive
Lifestyle
Closer to the city, very strong school zones (Vermont Secondary).
Best for
Education-focused families.
📍Heathmont
Position
North
Price
Similar
Lifestyle
Leafier, hillier, and has a dedicated train station.
Best for
Commuters who prefer a 'village' feel.
🔍 Similar Suburbs
Suburbs with a comparable profile — useful if this one is over budget or sold up.
Wheelers Hill
VIC
8.0/10
Large family blocks, no train station, strong views and schools.
Doncaster East
VIC
8.2/10
High-performing schools, car-dependent, premium suburban feel.
Templestowe Lower
VIC
7.9/10
1970s architecture, large allotments, focus on family lifestyle.
Baulkham Hills
NSW
8.1/10
Strong school catchments, car-reliant, family-dominant demographic.
💬 Community Sentiment
Aggregated themes from resident discussions, forums and local feedback.
📊 Overall Community Sentiment
Residents value the suburb for its safety, 'green' feel, and the quality of local schools, though many lament the lack of a train line.
★★★★★
Family Life
The best place to raise kids in the east; the parks are endless and Templeton Primary is worth every cent of the house price.
Schools
Parks
★★★☆☆
Transport
I love the house, but the commute to the CBD is a nightmare without a train station nearby. You're stuck on the bus or paying tolls.
Transport
Tolls
★★★★☆
Amenity
Having Knox Private and the shopping centre so close makes life very easy as we get older.
Healthcare
Shopping
★★★★☆
Work-Life
Working at the hospital is great, and I can actually afford a decent townhouse here compared to Glen Waverley.
Employment
Affordability
★★★★☆
Rental Market
Never had a vacancy longer than a week. Families will always pay a premium to be in the right school zone.
Demand
Yield
★★★★★
Community
Very safe and quiet streets. My neighbors have lived here for 30 years and really look out for each other.
Safety
Community
💡 Tailored Advice
Personalised guidance for every role in this market.
🧑💼 Buyer Strategy
- Prioritize properties within the Templeton Primary School zone for maximum resale value.
- Check the Section 32 for 'Special Building Overlays' which indicate flood-prone drainage paths.
- Look for 1970s homes with 'good bones' that haven't been renovated; these offer the best value-add potential.
- Factor in the cost of a car-dependent lifestyle, including EastLink tolls if commuting to the CBD.
- Inspect the condition of the roof and electrical wiring in older brick veneers.
- Verify if the property is within a Bushfire Management Overlay (BMO) as this affects insurance and future build costs.
❓ Questions to Ask the Agent
- Is this property within the Templeton Primary School catchment area?
- Are there any Special Building Overlays (SBO) or Bushfire Management Overlays (BMO) on this title?
- Has the house been tested for asbestos, given its construction era?
- What are the specific restrictions under the Significant Landscape Overlay (SLO) for this lot?
- Are there any active planning applications for medium-density developments in the immediate street?
- When were the gas and electrical safety checks last performed?
- What is the current internet connectivity (NBN type) for this specific address?
- Is the backyard north-facing?
🏷️ Seller Strategy
- Highlight school zone eligibility as the primary marketing headline.
- Ensure gardens are well-maintained; the 'garden suburb' aesthetic is a major drawcard here.
- Consider a short-form auction campaign (3-4 weeks) as family demand is currently consistent.
- Declutter and modernize the kitchen/bathrooms to appeal to time-poor professional families.
- Provide a recent building and pest report to speed up the negotiation process.
📣 Positioning Tips
Position the property as a 'forever family home' with a focus on education and lifestyle convenience. Emphasize land size and future potential for extension or a swimming pool.
💼 Investment Case
Long-term capital growth play driven by land scarcity and education demand.
⚠️ Investment Risks
Low rental yields (sub 3.5%) and potential for high maintenance costs on older dwellings.
📈 Action Plan
- Target 4-bedroom, 2-bathroom houses on 650sqm+.
- Focus on the 'Golden Triangle' between Stud Rd, Burwood Hwy, and High St Rd.
- Consider a minor cosmetic renovation to maximize rental appraisal.
- Check for any Significant Landscape Overlays that might prevent future subdivision.
🔑 Renter Tips
- Be ready with all documentation; family homes in school zones move very quickly.
- Look for properties with ducted heating/cooling as older Wantirna homes can be poorly insulated.
- Check bus routes if you don't have two cars.
🏘️ What Renters Love Here
Quiet streets, great parks, and proximity to major shopping.
⚠️ Renter Watch-Outs
High competition for 4-bedroom homes; some older rentals may have high energy bills.
🏢 Landlord Strategy
- Install energy-efficient heating/cooling to attract higher-quality long-term tenants.
- Maintain the garden as part of the lease to protect the property's street appeal.
- Ensure compliance with the latest Victorian rental safety standards (gas/electrical).
📋 Compliance & Management
Strict adherence to the Residential Tenancies Act is required, particularly regarding smoke alarms and heating standards.
🤝 Agent Insights
- The 'Templeton Effect' can add $100k+ to a property's value compared to one just outside the zone.
- Buyers are increasingly wary of unrenovated 70s homes due to high building costs.
- Proximity to Knox Private Hospital is a major selling point for medical professionals.
🎯 Marketing Angles
Education Excellence, Medical Precinct Proximity, and The Ultimate Family Quarter-Acre.
👤 Target Buyer Profile
Established families with primary-school-aged children and medical professionals.
✅ Due Diligence Checklist
Tap items to tick them off. Don't skip these before signing anything.
✓
Verify school zone boundaries via findmyschool.vic.gov.au.
✓
Order a detailed planning report to check for BMO, SBO, and SLO overlays.
✓
Conduct a professional building inspection focusing on stumps and roof structure.
✓
Check for any easements on the title that might restrict future pool or shed construction.
✓
Review Knox Council's 'Green Streets' policy for tree removal restrictions.
✓
Assess traffic noise levels during peak hour if the property is near Stud Rd or Burwood Hwy.
✓
Confirm the presence of a working and compliant pool fence if applicable.
✓
Check for evidence of past termite activity, especially near parkland boundaries.
✓
Verify the age and condition of the hot water system and climate control units.
✓
Review the Section 32 for any outstanding council orders or building permits.
✓
Check the distance to the nearest bus stop and frequency of service.
✓
Investigate any proposed major roadworks or infrastructure projects in the Knox area.
📚 Government Sources & Disclaimer
Official council and government links only. Always verify independently before any property decision.
🔗 knox.vic.gov.au
🔗 abs.gov.au
🔗 planning.vic.gov.au
🔗 findmyschool.vic.gov.au
🔗 mapshare.vic.gov.au
⚠️ Important Disclaimer
This report is based on data available as of March 6, 2026. It is intended for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial, legal, or real estate advice. Buyers should conduct their own independent due diligence and consult with professionals before making any property purchase.
