Oceana Drive, Howrah, TAS 7018

'Oceana Drive' is a comparitively long road for Hobart. It starts in Howrah, intersecting the South Arm Highway and continues to stretch south through the growing riviera suburbs of South Howrah & Tranmere towards Droughty Point, along the hilly skyline visible across the water from Hobart.

Whilst previously segmented into 3 sections broken by bushland or paddock, 2 parts have recently joined providing Tranmere residents a better connection to the city. No doubt the remaining paddock will eventually be urbanised and Oceana Drive will become one continued length in future. The street's profile consists of almost all properties sloping westerly, commanding a guaranteed view of the Hobart trifecta; City, Mountain & Water. The street has underground services which ensures no ugly power-lines or poles interupt the view.

It is consistently a wide street allowing plenty of off-street parking, safe footpaths & a larger-than-normal setback requirement for houses. As the street has grown in length, so too has the experimentation in architectural style. Executive & designer houses & townhouses at the start of the street are generally from the 1980 period and as one travels its length the era gradually shifts through the 90's, 00's and today. Gardens of all ages are well-cared for and the variety of style each property offers make Oceana Drive an enjoyable, visually interesting walk.

The street is popular with cyclists, joggers & strollers but in my opinion could do with a decent avenue-style tree-planting program to provide more interest, leafy summer shade & wind protection. For a nature fix one can also access the native skyline bushland which Oceana Drive runs parallel with, which features a variety of wildlife, creeks, mountain bike & walking tracks.

Properties in South Howrah enjoy closer walking proximity to the Shoreline Centre, services & recreational facilities, including Little Howrah Beach & Howrah Point shops, whilst the lifestyle towards the end of Tranmere along Oceana becomes a little more car-dependant.

If you're planning to buy land & build along Oceana, be prepared to spend bucks on excavation upfront - Most of the land has little to no clay and alot of sandstone bedrock, which is good news for foundations & solid homes that will last.

Overall, Oceana Drive represents a stand-out address in Hobart.