Does your head spin when you think about the perfect location for your dream home? There’s so much to think about — commuting times, schools, shopping, recreation.
However, whether you’re craving a coastal retreat, an escape to the country or the perfect place to raise your children, the greater Geelong region truly has a place for everyone.
Building a new home has so many benefits, and in addition to the financial advantages, building a home in a new estate can offer you the lifestyle and sense of community you’ve always wanted in one package.
The beauty of some of the new estates is that they’re socially conscious. The developers of these modern estates have identified what makes happy, healthy communities, and what many have discovered is it’s all about wholesome lifestyles centered around greenspace, walkability, and amenities.
It sounds like utopia, right? Let’s take a closer look.
Ocean Grove has always been an enviable location for people seeking a coastal town where they can raise a family. With several primary and secondary schools in Ocean Grove it’s definitely one of the best spots in the Bellarine Peninsula for those looking for a long-term family home. One of Ocean Grove’s newest offerings is Oakdene Estate.
Damian Cayzer is the Managing Director of Kerleys Coast Real Estate and in charge of land sales at Oakdene Estate. He says Oakdene’s highly sought-after location puts all of the coast’s best features at your doorstep.
“The beautiful wide sandy beaches are some of the finest in Australia and stretch for kilometres,” he says.
“If you make the time, the activities are endless – surfing, fishing, diving, boating, walking, running, cycling, paddling or simply relaxing as the time passes by – there is something for everyone to enjoy.”
Damian says people from all demographics are buying into Oakdene Estate from first home buyers right through to retirees. In addition to its great location, the estate design in itself is very specific in maintaining its coastal look and feel.
“Every aspect of Oakdene Estate has been thoughtfully considered and carefully planned,” he says.
“Conservation and environmental protection is a priority, together with building design and sustainability creating a better living environment for residents. Land has been set aside for green corridors and wetlands drawing native birds and wildlife to the estate.
“Parks provide areas for people to enjoy open space and are linked by walkways designed to accentuate the beautiful features of the surrounds.”
Does it sound like what you’re looking for? Damian says the Oakdene Estate’s next stage will be released in Spring.
There’s no denying that Armstrong Creek is one of Geelong’s fastest-growing areas. And with the Armstrong Creek Inclusive Education Precinct and the earmarked Armstrong Creek Town Centre — this suburb will soon be its own self-sufficient town, snug between Geelong and the Surf Coast.
Warralily is at the centre of this development. Warralily encompasses Warralily Coast, Warralily Grange, Warralily Promenade and Warralily Central and is described as “the perfect balance of modern amenities and natural landscapes”.
With Armstrong Creek running through Warralily, it has allowed the estate to develop a seamless flow of parks, playgrounds, hike and bike paths for its residents to enjoy.
“Armstrong Creek itself is a major drawcard with it recently being one of the major reasons why the estate won the (UDIA) National Environmental Excellence award,” Warralily Estate Manager Ben Stewart says.
According to the Urban Development Institute of Australia (UDIA) Victoria, “Warralily has developed into a thriving community of over 7,000 residents who enjoy the very best of contemporary urban design in an environment that is guided by nature.” UDIA VIC awarded Warralily the Environmental Excellence and Masterplanned Development Award in 2018.
This year the estate claimed a national accolade when it won the UDIA National Environmental Excellence Award.
Ben says that in addition to Armstrong Creek and its environmental benefits to residents, its proximity to key locations such as Torquay, Barwon Heads, Deakin University, Waurn Ponds and Marshall train stations, and Waurn Ponds Shopping Centre are big drawcards to people.
“The new town centre has also just broken ground with Coles being the key anchor tenant,” he says.
“A further drawcard would be being part of a very engaged community – our developer employs a community development officer who holds monthly meetings with our community,” Ben says.
“We currently have in excess of 7000 residents and growing. We are also home to several grassroots sporting clubs, the Armstrong Creek Sharks (AFL), Armstrong United (Soccer) and cricket club.”
Ben says there’s still 1800 lots remaining — so there’s still lots of opportunities to join this community.
Do you work in the city but crave a slower pace once you’re home? Lara is one of the best options for Melbourne commuters, being only 45 minutes from the Melbourne CBD. It’s got a train station, plus easy access to the freeway and the Avalon airport. Its established town centre offers shopping, schools and health services within minutes. And with Serendip Sanctuary and the beautiful You Yangs as its backdrop, Lara also appeals to those who love the outdoors.
Coridale is one of Lara’s newest estates, set to be launched this Spring. It’s being developed by Villawood Properties and will feature an exclusive residents-only Club Coridale, future supermarket, retail, dining and a large adventure park.
Villawood Properties executive director Rory Costelloe says Coridale offers the best of rural and city life, with proximity to services, transport, shopping, health, education, sports, and entertainment.
“It will be minutes from schools, a medical and community centre, a new shopping centre, sports grounds, a hotel and numerous sports clubs,” he says. “And Coridale is less than 20 minutes from Geelong and its CBD.”
Rory says Coridale is setting new standards in Lara, especially with the multi-million dollar
resort-style residents’ club.
“It will give the new community a real people focus. It will be a great place for parents and kids to make new friends, socialise, play, and keep fit and healthy,” he says.
Rory says Coridale suits people who have pride in their own property and care for their neighbours.
“Villawood is all about building sustainable communities and our primary focus is making sure people live in a place where they really want to be,” he says.
Keep your eyes peeled for Coridale’s Spring release, which will have a range of lot sizes to suit all lifestyles and budgets.
Along the banks for the Barwon River and nestled between Geelong and Colac is the quiet country town of Winchelsea. Winchelsea is filled with character and its long history can be seen in its bluestone buildings and architecture. A notable landmark is the National Trust protected Barwon Park — a 42-room bluestone mansion and stables built by pioneer pastoralist Thomas Austin and his wife Elizabeth in 1871.
The beauty of a location like Winchelsea is that you’ll feel like you’re a lifetime away from anywhere but in fact, you’re only about 30 minutes drive from Geelong, Torquay and Colac. And it’s not hard to get to Melbourne, Winchelsea is about 20 minutes from the M1 and the Winchelsea train station includes a VLine service to Melbourne.
Being an established town, it has a budding cafe and restaurant scene as well as shops and a primary school — with about 150 students, this school is the true heart of this community.
Put simply, what Winchelsea offers is a tree change, not too far from the hustle and bustle of Geelong.
Winchelsea’s new estate is River’s Edge, an estate that offers “residents a laid back lifestyle on the banks of the Barwon River in the heart of Winchelsea”.
Its location right on the bank of the Barwon River means you’re within walking distance of the school, established parklands and playgrounds. River’s Edge is also only 20 minutes from Deakin’s Waurn Ponds campus, plus it has school buses into Geelong for secondary schools.
The estate will also be home to the 2020 Rivers Gift Home, a charity home built by Geelong Homes to raise money for River’s Gift — a charity dedicated to raising funds for research into Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS), as well as providing education and awareness on SIDS.
A cause that both River’s Edge and Geelong Homes is proud to be part of!
Conclusion
The choice of where you should build your dream home has never been easier with some of the new estates that are being developed across our region.
What’s great about these new estates is they are socially conscious. Developers have identified what makes happy, healthy communities and planned these spaces accordingly. Greenspace, walkability, amenities and creating a sense of community are all top priorities.
The only decision that’s left for you is to decide what appeals to you most: the perfect coastal home at Oakdene Estate in Ocean Grove, or an environmentally conscious, self-sustainable community like Warralily Armstrong Creek. A rural escape that’s close to Melbourne in Coridale, Lara or the quiet life by the river at River’s Edge in Winchelsea.
And we’re only just scratching the surface — there’s so many more estates just like these to explore!
Lucky for you, our new home consultants aren’t just experts in new homes, they also understand land and locations. If you want to learn more about some of the new estates in the Geelong region drop into any one of Geelong homes display homes in Warralily Coast — Armstrong Creek, Oakdene Estate — Ocean Grove or Manzeene Village — Lara to learn more!
