Healesville: The heat's on as more Melburnians discover it as a perfect tree-change spot

Hunting for real estate in the bucolic Yarra Valley in and around Healesville, which an increasing number of first home buyers and retirees have been doing in the past 12 months, is an activity that should come with a health warning.

It could be potentially fattening and would be highly advisable to bring a designated driver.

The epicentre town and its lead-in route up the Maroondah passes an ever growing number of famous wineries with cellar doors and restaurants, and if you can steer on to Healesville, which basks in reputedly one of the sunniest spots in Victoria, you then confront about 40 more cafes, restaurants and hotels.

You might resist … but why would you, for in Victoria’s most historic and biggest wine growing region, 52 kilometres from the CBD, the cold climate wines and food is so fantastic that over half the tourists come specifically to graze in an epicurean fat paddock.

They spend billions and directly employ over 3000 locals in regional hospitality. Since Domaine Chandon made its mark in 1986, and the 1910 Healesville Hotel represented itself as a charming, multi-faceted, seasonal dining specialist, the valley’s identity has been trending ever upward.

In a Fender Katsalidis building nudging the Coldstream Hills, Levantine Hill is one of the newest big names in the fine dining pantheon that includes Dame Nellie Melba’s old home, Coombe Cottage.

Levantine Hill is already such a drawcard that some patrons fly in by helicopter; maybe just to have a little hamburger? Maybe they stay overnight on the property, parting with $1500 a night for a room in the homestead, or $15.000 a night to occupy the whole place?

So if Healesville and surrounds is so internationally and nationally renowned, how come it’s remained so long in the shadow of similar excellent regional foodie centres like the Goldfields and the Mornington and Bellarine Peninsulas as a tree-change lifestyle destination with the lot?

Well, that isn’t the case any longer. Healesville is happening.

Two Healesville realtors, David McKee of eview Yarra Valley, and Jenny Webb of Barry Plant, say that a town and near hinterland with such a huge diversity of property – from Victorian heritage houses whose worth can be near or in the millions, to two bedroom brick units valued in the mid $300,000-$400,000s has come to the attention of both retiree and first buyer groups – and others, who include the odd professional willing to do the 90 minute commute to Melbourne, or a family breadwinner who drives the pleasant 20-plus minutes to work in the industrial corridor of the outer east.

“It’s becoming more popular than just a tourist destination, particularly for people sick of the hustle and bustle of the suburbs”, says McKee.

Webb says “a lot more people have been moving in over the last 12-18 months for the lifestyle. It’s a beautiful spot and people are appreciating the infrastructure”. These include a recently refurbished hospital, three state schools, a racetrack and Tarrawarra, a major art gallery.

“It’s vital but is still country,” she says. “It’s vibrant but at a slower pace and that’s very important to many people moving here.”

McKee reckons that while locals can still get in as first home buyers, a good representative of new arrivals “have sold up in the inner suburbs and moved out to Healesville in particular”. He adds “those priced out of the inner suburbs see its entry price in the lower to mid $400,000s as affordable.

“So yes, we’re on!”