Labilliere Street, Maddingley, VIC 3340

Labilliere Street is a long and quiet, yet comfortably wide street that includes a mix of older style cottages and weatherboards, through to more recent, but tastefully completed modern homes. Just around the corner is the popular Maddingley Park featuring old elms, oaks, tennis courts, and one of the best children's playgrounds I have ever seen. On the other side of the park is the train station which has a 45min express train in to Southern Cross. Maddingley is known as the better part of Bacchus Marsh - I think this is due to proximity to the park.

Towards the lower end of Labilliere Street adjoining Grant St you will find the high school and the YMCA Leisure Centre offering a gym (cheaper than typical branded gyms), plus other indoor sports. The Centre backs on to the local high school - admittedly just before and just after school, this section of street can be busy with teenagers. It is also the 'business end' of the street, with a milk bar, a local, and a drive through bottle shop along with a small selection of other shops.

The local bus service runs along Labilliere yet it is very easy walking distance to town. For those who aren't as mobile, the bus might be the best option, especially if you are looking to live further along Labilliere towards the top of the hill.

Great coffee is available at several locations in town, and with 4 locals in town, you will never be short of a beer or a parma. I moved to the town 5 years ago and I was personally surprised at the high quality and great variety of options for eating out in such a small town.

Labilliere Street is within proximity of what I would call a 'hidden treasure' - the 2.6km walking track that runs parralel to the street, closer to the river side. It's a relaxing and picturesque walk that hugs the riverbank, meandering alongside a farm, and then loops around so that you finish up near the local swimming pool at Peppertree Park. If you have a dog, this will be perfect for a daily walk but best keep it on a leash, as you will often encounter wildlife and other dogs.

In fact, we have blue tongue lizards and frogs living in our backyard, and there are often native parrots flying about; we have even spotted the odd koala and wallaby who have taken the wrong turn and ended up in the middle of our residential street. Fortunately we have not had any incidents with snakes, although you should always keep a look out when living close to a river and farming areas!