The Eastern Suburbs of

Melbourne Melbourne ( , ; Boonwurrung language, Boonwurrung/ or ) is the List of Australian capital cities, capital and List of cities in Australia by population, most populous city of the States and territories of Australia, Australian state of Victori ...

Victoria Victoria most commonly refers to: * Queen Victoria (1819–1901), Queen of the United Kingdom and Empress of India * Victoria (state), a state of Australia * Victoria, British Columbia, Canada, a provincial capital * Victoria, Seychelles, the capi ...

Australia Australia, officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country comprising mainland Australia, the mainland of the Australia (continent), Australian continent, the island of Tasmania and list of islands of Australia, numerous smaller isl ...

, are a major

metropolitan region A metropolitan area or metro is a region consisting of a densely populated urban agglomeration and its surrounding territories which share industries, commercial areas, transport network, infrastructures and housing. A metropolitan area usually ...

encompassing a diverse range of

residential A residential area is a land used in which houses, housing predominates, as opposed to industrial district, industrial and Commercial Area, commercial areas. Housing may vary significantly between, and through, residential areas. These include ...

commercial Commercial may refer to: * (adjective for) commerce, a system of voluntary exchange of products and services ** (adjective for) trade, the trading of something of economic value such as goods, services, information or money * a dose of advertising ...

, and natural areas. This region is generally considered to stretch from around east of Melbourne’s Central Business District (CBD) and extends to the foot of the

Dandenong Ranges The Dandenong Ranges (commonly just the Dandenongs) are a set of low mountain ranges in Victoria, Australia, approximately east of the state capital Melbourne. A minor branch of the Great Dividing Range, the Dandenongs consist mostly of rol ...

. The Eastern Suburbs are distinct from Melbourne's Inner Eastern Suburbs, lying further out from the city and possessing a unique blend of suburban character, parklands, and proximity to natural attractions.

Geography

The Eastern Suburbs are known for their hilly terrain, leafy residential neighbourhoods, and significant areas of bushland. The Dandenong Ranges lie to the far east, providing scenic views and recreational spaces. The main arterial roads, such as the Eastern Freeway and

Maroondah Highway Maroondah Highway (also known as Whitehorse Road from Deepdene to Surrey Hills) is a major east–west thoroughfare in the eastern suburbs of Melbourne, and a highway connecting the north-eastern fringes of Melbourne to Mansfield, at the lowe ...

, provide access to the CBD and connect the region with other parts of Greater Melbourne.

Local Government Areas

The Eastern Suburbs fall within several Local Government Areas (LGAs), including: *

City of Whitehorse The City of Whitehorse is a Local government areas of Victoria, local government area in Victoria (Australia), Victoria, Australia in the eastern suburbs of Melbourne. It has an area of and an estimated residential population of 183,462 as o ...

City of Boroondara The City of Boroondara () is a local government area in Victoria, Australia. It is located in the eastern suburbs of Melbourne. It was formed in June 1994 from the amalgamation of the Cities of Kew, Camberwell and Hawthorn. It has an area of ...

City of Manningham The City of Manningham is a local government area in Victoria, Australia in the north-eastern suburbs of Melbourne and is divided into 12 suburbs, with the largest being Doncaster and Doncaster East. It comprises an area of 113 square kilometre ...

City of Maroondah A city is a human settlement of a substantial size. The term "city" has different meanings around the world and in some places the settlement can be very small. Even where the term is limited to larger settlements, there is no universally agree ...

City of Knox The City of Knox is a local government area in Victoria, Australia in the eastern suburbs of Melbourne. It has an area of and in 2020, Knox had a population of 165,147. This municipality is one of only a handful that survived the widespread mu ...

City of Monash The City of Monash is a local government area in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia in the south-eastern suburbs of Melbourne with an area of 81.5 square kilometres and a population of 200,077 people in 2016. History The City of Monash was once h ...

Shire of Yarra Ranges The Shire of Yarra Ranges, also known as Yarra Ranges Council, is a local government area in Victoria, Australia, located in the outer eastern and northeastern suburbs of Melbourne extending into the Yarra Valley and Dandenong Ranges. It has ...

(partially) These LGAs manage local services and infrastructure, reflecting the diversity of urban, suburban, and semi-rural environments across the region.

Suburbs

The Eastern Suburbs include a variety of residential and commercial suburbs, with some of the notable ones being: * Box Hill: Known for its vibrant multicultural community, particularly with a strong Chinese influence, and a bustling shopping district. * Ringwood: A significant commercial and retail hub, home to the Eastland Shopping Centre and a gateway to the Yarra Valley. * Glen Waverley: A well-developed suburb with popular shopping centres, schools, and a diverse residential population. *

Mitcham Mitcham is an area within the London Borough of Merton in South London, England. It is centred southwest of Charing Cross. Originally a village in the county of Surrey, today it is mainly a residential suburb, and includes Mitcham Common. It ...

and

Nunawading Nunawading () is an eastern suburb of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, 18 km (11 miles) east of Melbourne's Central Business District, located within the City of Whitehorse and City of Manningham local government areas. Nunawading recorded ...

: Residential areas with access to many parks and nature reserves, as well as industrial zones along the Eastern Freeway. *

Boronia ''Boronia'' is a genus of about 160 species of flowering plants in the citrus family Rutaceae. Most are endemic to Australia with a few species in New Caledonia, which were previously placed in the genus ''Boronella''. They occur in all Australi ...

and

Wantirna Wantirna is a suburb in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, 24 km east of Melbourne's Central Business District, located within the City of Knox local government area. Wantirna recorded a population of 14,237 at the 2021 census. Its name is ...

: Close to the Dandenong Ranges and known for their family-friendly appeal and green spaces. * Lilydale and

Croydon Croydon is a large town in South London, England, south of Charing Cross. Part of the London Borough of Croydon, a Districts of England, local government district of Greater London; it is one of the largest commercial districts in Greater Lond ...

: The outer edge of the suburbs, providing access to rural areas and wineries in the Yarra Valley.

Demographics

The Eastern Suburbs are known for their relatively affluent population, with a high rate of

homeownership Owner-occupancy or home-ownership is a form of housing tenure in which a person, called the owner-occupier, owner-occupant, or home owner, owns the home in which they live. The home can be a house, such as a single-family house, an apartment, c ...

and an educated demographic. However, the area is socioeconomically diverse, with wealthier enclaves such as Balwyn and Kew East (considered part of the inner east by some) contrasting with more affordable suburban areas further out. The region has a large multicultural population, particularly of Chinese, Indian, and Sri Lankan communities, influencing the cultural landscape of suburbs like Box Hill, Glen Waverley, and Burwood.

Economy

The economy of Melbourne’s Eastern Suburbs is supported by a mix of retail, healthcare, education, and professional services. Major shopping centres such as

Eastland SS ''Eastland'' was a passenger ship based in Chicago and used for tours. On 24 July 1915, the ship capsized while tied to a dock in the Chicago River. In total, 844 passengers and crew were killed in what was the largest loss of life from a s ...

in Ringwood,

Westfield Knox Westfield Knox, formerly Knox City Shopping Centre, is an Australian shopping centre, outdoor entertainment and professional services complex in the outer eastern Melbourne suburb of Wantirna South. There are over 380 stores and over 5,600 ca ...

in Wantirna South, and The Glen in Glen Waverley are economic anchors. The Eastern Health network provides a substantial portion of healthcare services in the region, with major hospitals such as Box Hill Hospital and Maroondah Hospital.

Education

The Eastern Suburbs are home to some of Melbourne’s top-ranking public and private schools, as well as tertiary institutions.

Deakin University Deakin University is a public university in Victoria, Australia. Founded in 1974 with antecedent history since 1887, the university was named after Alfred Deakin, the second Prime Minister of Australia and a founding father of Australian Fede ...

(Burwood Campus) is a prominent university in the area, offering a wide range of courses and attracting students from across Australia and overseas. Secondary education is highly regarded, with schools like Box Hill High School, Glen Waverley Secondary College, and

Vermont Secondary College Vermont Secondary College is a state high school located in the eastern Melbourne suburb of Vermont, Victoria, Australia. It is accredited under Australia's Department of Education's CRICOS system. Vermont Secondary College opened as Vermont Hi ...

achieving strong academic result

Transport

The Eastern Suburbs are well-served by public transport, including an extensive train network on the Lilydale line, Lilydale,

Belgrave Belgrave may refer to: Places *Belgrave, Cheshire, an English village *Belgrave, Leicester an English district *Belgrave, Victoria, a suburb of Melbourne, Australia **Belgrave railway line **Belgrave railway station, Melbourne **Belgrave (Puffing B ...

, and Glen Waverley lines. These lines connect the eastern areas directly with Melbourne’s CBD. In addition, numerous bus services provide coverage across the region, supplementing train routes and linking more remote areas. The Eastern Freeway and EastLink are major roadways that facilitate access to and from the area, supporting both commuter traffic and local transit.

Recreation and culture

The Eastern Suburbs boast a wealth of parks, gardens, and recreational areas. The Dandenong Ranges National Park offers walking trails, lookouts, and picnic spots, while smaller parks such as Ruffey Lake Park in

Doncaster Doncaster ( ) is a city status in the United Kingdom, city in South Yorkshire, England. Named after the River Don, Yorkshire, River Don, it is the administrative centre of the City of Doncaster metropolitan borough, and is the second largest se ...

and

Jells Park Jells Park is a public park in Wheelers Hill, a southeastern suburb of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. The park opened on 30 April 1976 and is named after Joseph Jell, a cattle grazier who worked in the area in the mid-late 1800s. The park attr ...

Wheelers Hill Wheelers Hill is a suburb in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, 23 km south-east of Melbourne's Central Business District, located within the City of Monash local government area. Wheelers Hill recorded a population of 20,652 at the . At 152m ...

are popular for outdoor activities. The region is also home to various cultural festivals, including Lunar New Year celebrations in Box Hill and community events in Ringwood and Glen Waverley.

Environment and sustainability

Environmental preservation and sustainability initiatives are a priority in the Eastern Suburbs. The proximity to natural reserves like the Yarra Ranges and the Dandenongs drives a strong focus on green initiatives, with councils promoting recycling, tree planting, and water conservation efforts. These areas also face challenges related to urban sprawl and bushfire management, particularly in the outer eastern suburbs close to heavily forested regions.

Future developments

Ongoing residential and commercial developments are anticipated in the Eastern Suburbs as Melbourne's population grows. Key projects include the expansion of public transport, improvements to road infrastructure, and urban regeneration projects aimed at maintaining the balance between development and environmental conservation. Future projects are also focused on increasing housing availability and diversity to cater to a growing and changing population.

References

External links

Eastern Metropolitan Partnership - Victorian Government

Eastern Health

Public Transport Victoria (PTV)

Plan Melbourne 2017-2050
{{Victoria East Melbourne-related lists Geography of Melbourne