'Everyone gets to know their neighbour': What's luring Melburnians to the Yarra Valley

If you talk to the Yarra Valley locals, there are a few key features that keep coming up in conversation.

Clean air is at the top of the list, alongside a thriving wine industry, great fresh produce and fantastic restaurants.

Community is key

While these are drawcards, Camilla Airs says the strong community was the standout attraction of the region, which stretches from Marysville in the north to the Dandenong Ranges in the south. She moved to the area in 2012 with her fiance and hasn’t looked back.

“We moved in before we got married and our whole focus was around the tight-knit community feel,” Airs says. “Yes, there are wineries and they’re a big draw for tourism, but we were choosing a foundation to build a family.

“Everyone gets to know their neighbour here and when you grow up in the bayside area that’s not always the case.”

Airs says she went to restaurants, for walks or to the markets and everyone she met was willing to stop and chat and share a little bit of their story, even before the couple moved to the valley.

“They were very generous with their time and their expertise and genuinely wanted to form a connection with you.”

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She has found the locals take a “community over competition” approach and embrace collaborative business building, which encouraged her to establish her own business venture, findmyperfectvenue.com.au.

Aimed at connecting couples with their dream wedding venue in the Yarra Valley, the business has given Airs a great excuse to get to know local business owners.

“One of the best parts of my role is dropping into venues to catch up with the owners.”

There are lots of smaller family-owned wineries and distilleries popping up and working together to showcase the best of the local produce, she says.

Shifting landscape

“The valley keeps on developing but in a beautiful way. The infrastructure is complementary to the area, and the region doesn’t seem to lose that vibrancy or novelty.”

RT Edgar Carlton agent Kathy Purcell says the mixed demographic includes young families and professionals who still make the hour-long commute back to Melbourne several times a week.

“They love the ambience of the Yarra Valley and the wonderful country towns. It’s the kind of place where once you move there, people are reluctant to move on.”

Airs agrees. “It’s a beautiful place to live in and such a lovely family area and we don’t take it for granted,” she says.

Top home in the area

386 Healesville-Yarra Glen Road, Tarrawarra. Photo: Supplied

Set on nearly 11 hectares, Kookaburra in Tarrawarra is a lifestyle property with views of the Yarra Ranges.

The substantial home has a choice of living spaces and a stone and timber kitchen with twin ovens.

A wraparound verandah and north-facing terrace provide space for relaxing outdoors.

The dining room enjoys a view of the substantial surrounding greenery. Photo: Supplied

RT Edgar Carlton are marketing the property with a $2.65 million guide.