Gisborne, VIC 3437

3.9(17 reviews)

Ranked 7th best suburb by locals in Loddon Region, VIC

Great for

  • Clean & green
  • Safe and sound
  • Peace and quiet
  • Parks and recreation
  • Neighbourly spirit

Not great for

    No ratings yet

Who lives here?

  • Professionals
  • Families With Kids
  • Retirees
  • Country Lovers
  • LGBTQ+

Reviews of Gisborne, VIC

Editors Choice

"Best of both words"

As someone who has lived in the inner suburbs of Melbourne and outback NSW found Gisborne offers the best of both to me, been here four years now.

I like the quiet, relaxed small town charm, I also commute to Melbourne CBD each day to work. Prompted to write this review after reading some of the negative reviews.

Things I agree with, Gisborne is colder - yes but its also cooler in Summer, the open spaces and valleys means there is a breeze unlike the heat sinks of suburbia. There is little in the way of night-life - agreed this does not mean Gisborne is not a social town it is its, just not a party town. If you want the lights and sounds and the 24/7 nature of a big city Gisborne is not for you. Personally I don't (been there done that) so very happy with Gisborne.

Things I disagree with locals are Hick, having lived in outback NSW where there are most certainly Hicks Gisborne people are not Hicks, if there is a downside with Gisborne its the locals are trying to preserve Gisborne the way it is. What this means if you fit in, you will fit in and its very friendly. If you are someone who is looking at having a party life style you wont find it. Gisborne is an easy commute if you want to go out into the inner city regularly just not frequently, so again not the place for you.

Gisborne is a great place to raise kids, but its not the best place for the older teenagers and early 20's due to the quite night life, and limited choice of things to do in the town itself. However do know a number of locals who moved closer to Melbourne, then back out once they wanted to settle down.

Apart from the school time rush, there is no traffic, even the school time rush is nothing compared to where I use to live in inner Melbourne suburbs!.

Is it Gossipy? As gossipy as outback NSW no, more Gossipy then inner Melbourne, yes but a lot more chance you know your neighbours and more people so more things to gossip about and as the review guidelines say everyone loves a good dose of gossip and Gisborne is really no different to anywhere else I lived. Its what you make it.

Great for

  • Cooler and Greener in Summer
  • Picturesque town - very leafy.
  • Friendly people
  • Small town charm

Not great for

  • Colder in Winter
  • Not for the party crowd

Who lives here?

  • Professionals
  • Families with kids
  • Retirees
  • LGBT+
  • Country Lovers
2
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Looking for a home in Gisborne?

22nd December 2022

"Natural Beauty, Peace and Quiet, Easy Commute to Melbourne"

Gisborne is a perfect mix of natural beauty, peace and quiet within a quick commute to the city. For the price of a small decrepit house in the inner city you can buy a huge block and luxury home where you feel completely away from it all. I’m Gisborne South can even buy a whole farm with luxury house for around $2 mil (despite The Block’s crazy price tags). So you can feel totally rural and grow veggies, keep horses or lamas and still be at work in about 45 minutes! Some great schools too.

Who lives here?

  • Professionals
  • Families with kids
0
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"A world away from the Hustle & Bustle"

My family & I love it here so much - we are never going to leave.
Gisborne has a great community who are just really genuine people.
My son attends St Brigids and it has such a family feel when walking through the gates each day, greeted by the amazing staff and other parents.
We could have not picked a better part of Victoria to raise our children.

Who lives here?

  • Families with kids
1
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"This town keeps getting bigger than Texas"

My family chose to leave this place 2 years ago when I finished university, but it's not really what I hoped would happen. I had a lot of friends here, but there were some idiots as well. And although me, my brother and my mum protested against it, council allowed McDonalds to be built here in 2012! No good. McDonalds is disgusting. If you think it's a great place to live then try living here for a few years. I lived here for more than 15 years. It does get quite hot in summer and cold in winter but I love cold weather. You can always put on more layers. But my family had had enough when the town kept growing. They were desirous for a sea change, and I couldn't stop them. I had to come with them or else! That's why we all live in Portarlington now. The schools in the Gisborne area aren't really great, though.

Who lives here?

  • Professionals
  • Singles
  • Families with kids
0
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"No country feel anymore but no town feel either"

I have mixed feelings. We visited Gisborne last Sat and I was surprised with traffic jams in the central area where the shops and cafes are. I feel that shops should be distributed around rather than located in the middle. Car parks are small, so not sure if people are always able to find a spot and go shopping. New estates are built but no additional shops, which looks very strange. I think this town lost its county feel already because of lots of cars in its center. However, it doesn’t have a town feel anymore, so it’s something in between.
I don’t think the number of grocery shops in adequate.

0
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Rentals in Gisborne

"Picturesque, clean, peaceful."

We went for a Sunday drive one day about 4 yrs ago, and we fell in love with Gisborne.
We moved here from central Melbourne and slowed the pace of life. The easy commute is Our 'wind-down' time. We enjoy the beautiful parks and walkways of Gisborne, where people still smile and clearly enjoy life. We are both now much happier, I am allergy- free & breathe easier and our stress levels are almost non-existant.
My partner and I are both city born & bred, but having lived here for the last few years, we know we will never live in a large city again.
Our two adult children love visiting here each weekend and are also considering buying land here for a future move.

Who lives here?

  • Professionals
1
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Robert Hall real estate agent
Robert Hall
Raine & Horne Gisborne

"A great place to live for families of all ages"

I've lived in many areas of Melbourne and Intestate. I have been a resident of Gisborne now 13 years and love it, not moving again.
Everything you need is with easy access, and the residents and shop owners extremely helpful. There are great state and private, primary & secondary schools, fantastic restaurants & wineries, excellent sporting facilities plus much more.

If you have a questions regarding the area please feel free to call me on 0419 388 778.

Regards

Robert Hall
Raine & Horne

Who lives here?

  • Professionals
  • Families with kids
2
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"Gisborne"

Not too far from the city if city is required, train system pretty good (most of the time) but so many people living up here these days, overcrowding on the trains has become a major problem.

It is a nice town to live - like anywhere there is the good and the bad, clicquey groups etc. Not good for older teenagers and young adults wanting to hit the night-spots! It is a place which feels pretty safe, people are generally nice (my friends who come up from the city comment on how strangers happily have a chat when out and about). It is the best of both worlds - away from the manic, crowded rat-race of the city, but not isolated in a one-horse town.

Great for

  • Some great breakfast cafes up here
  • No traffic lights!
  • Picturesque town - very leafy.
  • Friendly people
  • Small town charm

Not great for

  • Bogans who roar around (driving) at a million miles an hour at all hours of the day and night - lack of policing
  • Many residents have a very low opinion of the MRSC (High rates here, but Council only looks after the favoured ones)
  • There is no decent restaurant for going out for dinner

Who lives here?

  • Professionals
  • Families with kids
  • Retirees
  • Country Lovers
1
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"Lovely place to live"

its starting progress more, clean street lovely place to live not far from the city

Great for

  • Picturesque town - very leafy.
  • Friendly people
  • Small town charm
  • Cooler and Greener in Summer

Not great for

  • Lack of progress eg bus services

Who lives here?

  • Professionals
  • Tourists
  • LGBT+
  • Country Lovers
1
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"Unfriendly Town"

As a resident of 10 years and leaving soon I agree that Gisborne has become an unfriendly town full of self-promoting nobodies and two-bob snobs. This town is so boring it hardly rates a mention in the Tourist News!

Great for

  • Picturesque town - very leafy.

Not great for

  • Apathetic people live here.
  • Hick, unfriendly locals
  • Small town attitude
  • Unfriendly
  • Lack of progress eg bus services
  • Miles from anywhere fun

Who lives here?

  • Professionals
  • Families with kids
  • Retirees
  • LGBT+
  • Country Lovers
0
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"Fantastic lifestyle"

Moved here 8 months ago from inner city Melbourne, was the best thing my wife and I did, it's so relaxing and peaceful, people are friendly, safe to walk around, never ever feel threatened. No hoons. And when the fog rolls in some afternoons it's so magical. A world away from Melbourne, but only a short drive if you need it for work or play.
My neighbours are great, so there is always someone to look after the place if we go on holidays.

Great for

  • Picturesque town - very leafy.
  • Friendly people
  • Small town charm

Who lives here?

  • Professionals
  • Families with kids
  • Retirees
  • Tourists
  • Country Lovers
  • Trendy & Stylish
2
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"Unfriendly, weird, hick town"

I can wait to leave. People in Gisborne are totally self absorbed, unfriendly, and unkind. When you walk into a shop, the shopkeeper looks at you like you have 2 heads, and is probably thinking "you're not from around here". Very strange. And the cold. It's about 5 degrees colder than Sunbury in winter, and stinking hot in Summer. Get this, the locals say, "We're going to Melbourne". Melbourne. Who are they kidding, like they are somehow superior because they live technically just outside Metro Melbourne. Oh, and there is literally nothing to do here...

Not great for

  • Hick, unfriendly locals
  • Miles from anywhere fun
  • Freezing cold in winter
0
Lovecountry

Love being able to get out of the city to relax in Gisborne, weather is awesome, yeah cold put on a jumper. I love it when people like you leave makes it better for the ones that stay, good riddance I say!

mpd74

I use to live in Essendon and people there say I am going to Melbourne when going out, just as they say going to St Kilda. Its nothing to do with being superior.....its just where they going.

As for Gisborne being stinking hot in Summer, when its hot in Gisborne its even hotter in Melbourne!

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"The best the country has to offer"

I am moving...from Gisborne to another location in Gisborne. Why? Because Gisborne is the best place to live. My familly could live anywhere in Australia or Europe....we are not bound by family or work, yet we do not want to leave Gisborne. There are too many reasons to list, just come and have a look and you will fall in love with the town, the people and surrounding environment.

Great for

  • Picturesque town - very leafy.
  • Friendly people
  • Small town charm

Who lives here?

  • Professionals
  • Families with kids
  • Retirees
  • Tourists
  • LGBT+
  • Hipsters
  • Country Lovers
  • Trendy & Stylish
1
amyamychu23

Very keen on moving to Gisborne .....just wondering what it would be like for ppl so used to the convenience of shops n stores etc of the inner burbs like do Gisborne residents just travel everytime they want to shop for things? It's not like there's many shops or nice restaurants in the town centre right?

Evan Clarke
Evan Clarke

No offence Amy, but you've got it all wrong! There are several Asian restaurants as well as two pubs in Gisborne, several other restaurants, a few cafes, several bakeries, four supermarkets (Coles, Aldi, Foodworks and IGA) and some grog shops.

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"The quiet of the country, just a short trip away from the city."

Moved to Gisborne around 2 years ago, best moved I made. Found the locals very friendly and accepting of people who moved here to enjoy the same lifestyle the have.

The neighbors are all friendly, but respectful of your privacy at the same time. Plenty of room to move, parks to enjoy.

Enough local shops, Cafes etc that you have all you need for your day to day needs, and a short trip to the city for anything else.

Transport is improving, local bus services running more on a as needed request basis, which is more often then the timetable says. Lots of school buses serving all manner of schools on this side of town.

Gisborne is the place to live if you want the peace and quiet of the country, with all your day to day needs on your door step, and a easy drive to Melbourne for that night out, or shopping trip. I also commute into the CBD each day and find I get there quicker then most of my colleagues coming from the middle to outer eastern suburbs.

If you want the city constantly on your door step and life to be a constant party, Gisborne is not the place to be. If the biggest complaint people have about Gisborne, is that the locals are trying to keep it as it is, then it must be a good place to be!

Great for

  • Small town charm
  • Friendly people
  • Picturesque town - very leafy.

Who lives here?

  • Professionals
  • Families with kids
  • Retirees
  • Hipsters
  • Country Lovers
1
amyamychu23

Great comment. So if locals want to keep it as it is...which is great to reserve the whole point of the small quiet town, does it mean it'll never develop to have nice restaurants n shops for locals to enjoy and to attract more business for the business owners? Or do the retail just run purely to serve the locals?

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Great for

  • Picturesque town - very leafy.

Who lives here?

  • Professionals
  • Singles
  • Families with kids
  • Retirees
  • Country Lovers
2
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"Can't wait to move!"

Since living here (eight years) I have found Gisborne seems to attract more than their share of 'odd bods'. When speaking to people in surrounding towns they tell me and that Gisborne is known for being UNFRIENDLY - I totally agree. Many seem to want to keep this as a 'country town' and seem 'hell bent' in holding any progress back. Although I live in a lovely street with friendly and caring neighbours I cannot wait to move.

Great for

  • Picturesque town - very leafy.

Not great for

  • Unfriendly
  • Small town attitude
  • Lack of progress eg bus services

Who lives here?

  • Professionals
  • Singles
  • Families with kids
  • Retirees
  • LGBT+
  • Hipsters
  • Country Lovers
0
MattXXX
MattXXX

Totally disagree with the above the above comment, lived here for the last few years and found that the people are very friendly.

There is a BIG difference between being unfriendly, and wanting to keep the charm of Gisborne as it is.

If you want the hussle and bustle of city life day in and day out, Gisborne is not for you. If you want to live somewhere quite but have an easy commute to Melbourne and it all has to offer then Gisborne is a great place to be be.

Agnetha
Agnetha

You may disagree Matt but you are lucky not to have come upon the downright nasty 'old harpies' in this town - and obviously do not hear and read about what others think about Gisborne. You are right about the BIG difference between 'wanting to keep the charm of Gisborne' and unfriendly - they are a totally different subjects which were in separate sentences - you can keep the charm of Gisborne - it is picturesque I agree but that doesn't mean that all the natives are friendly - think about it! Oh I did say I had lovely neighbours and live in a lovely QUIET street. Public transport eg train and bus service is another matter!

MattXXX
MattXXX

Please don't say things like I obviously don't read or hear what others think without knowing me, I happen to read a lot. The nature of my work means I interact with people across the region and Victoria, the nature of my wife's work mean she interacts with businesses in the region. Please do not make judgements about what I read or hear with out knowning me.

I agree that there are many NIMBYS (not in my back yard) in Gisi who are anti development, but I see this just about every where. Read just about any news paper and you find 'nasty old harpies' Also find on a personal level these people are friendly. As you said the people in your street are that way. The point I was making is that these people are often the same people, you friendly neighbour could well be one of the leading Anti - MacDonalds people (for example).

I also know people who are very pro development, who see Gisborne as opportunity due to it's growing size and location, these people can be be just as passionate (forcefull) in their beliefs to develop Gisi, as those who want to keep it the same. On a personal level just as friendly.

After living in country NSW for 5 years, and inner Melbourne (10kms from Cbd) for 18 months found the public transport a pleasant surpise, I catch the train most days, and while some days it can be busy, it's not as packed as the metro service gets, more regular then other country towns I have lived or been too. Could it be improved yes, what can't? As for the bus, connects to all peak trains I catch, often drops me off or picks me up at the door when I catch it, worse case down the road.

My experince of Gisborne has been positive, Having lived in 4 country towns and 2 state capitals, I have found Gisiborne the best blend, balance, of what I am looking from a place to live. it's not for everyone, I know that. We just have to agree to disagree and I hope you find some where that suits you, and you happy with, as Gisborne is for me.

Agnetha
Agnetha

Matt - Have a happy life is Gisi??? it obviously suits you.

billy123

Agnetha - Lived in the area for 15 years and am pleased to report that I have not shared your experience. Cannot speak more highly of the place.
Frankly, you sound a bit sad and not very nice - dare I say a little "UNFRIENDLY" !!!!!!!!!
Good luck with your move. seeya!

Evan Clarke
Evan Clarke

What you've said, Agnetha, isn't a hundred per cent true. Why did you say Gisborne is LGBT+ friendly when you said the town also is hell-bent on holding back progress? Smells like hypocrisy to me. I'll see you in another life!

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"The secret is out!"

Lived in the area for twenty years. Simply the best lifestyle for those who:
- appreciate a beautiful pituresque environment
- clean air for your kids to breathe (no better start in life in my view)
- excellent affordable private schools
- abundant parklands to enjoy and explore
- close enough to the CBD for a comfortable daily commute either by car or rail and fantastic access to Tullamarine airport
- growing cafe lifestle
- local attractions include proximity to all that Macedon Ranges has to offer icluding breathtaking scenery, local wineries, horse riding, hanging rock, one of the premier weekend markets in Victoria, etc etc
In short I cannot recommend this area more highly - but don't tell everyone cos we don't want the secret to get out!

Who lives here?

  • Professionals
  • Singles
  • Families with kids
  • Retirees
2
Gisbornite

Poor Agnetha, is she a masochist or something. I thought she would have left her hell hole by now. I've lived in Gisborne for 23 years and would not live anywhere else. I must have been lucky as I have only met one troublemaker/whinger in my years here. I go to the main drag and have a coffee on a regular basis and all I see are happy people with smiles on their dials. I see the families using the great walking paths through the beautiful parks and the littlies playing Milo crisket in summer or Auskick in the winter or enjoying themselves at the adventure playground. Friendly shopkeepers and great schools. If anyone doesn't enjoy this enviroment, let them go back to the stress and pollution in the suburbs where they can find plenty to whinge about and people to listen.

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