Melaleuca

Honestly? The street was full of drug addicts, alcoholics, a few elderly people and some foreigners.

The local Huntingdale Primary school is the last place in the world you should send your kids. While the nearest Secondary College--South Oakleigh Secondary is even worse.

The road is okay, reasonable width, made, naturestrips with small trees, the houses older style, 50 ft frontages, brick veneer or weatherboard with mostly tiled rooves. There is a small shopping centre at the end of the street that has mostly computer shops and accountants in it and other useless type shops in it. There was a Pizza Hut when I lived there that always gave me indigestion but I don't know if it is still there. If you walk down further (about 15 minutes) there is a train station with lots of parking if you get there before 7.00am that is the last stop out of Melbourne that is zone one, and more shops but the unless you are into very small and not really that quaint local shopping centres its easier to jump in the car and go the back way through Burlington Street to the Oakleigh Shopping centre. At Oakleigh there are several large supermarkets, fruit shops, greek cake shops, chinese restaurant, op shops, sandwich bars, railway station, quite large but not that inspiring.

The internet was cable when I was there but don't know if they have upgraded to something faster or not.

Monash Medical centre is not far away in Clayton and I recommend it as an excellent hospital although you will have to wait if you go into the emergency department.

East Warburton is a very elongated suburb with George Road being one of the first streets just before you pass the 'Welcome to East Warburton' signs coming from Melbourne. It shares with many other pockets of this suburb, beautiful views of Mt. Victoria, Mt. Boobialla and Mt Bride. East Warburton is a little wilder and has less amenities than Warburton proper but I count its wildness and greater feeling of isolation a plus, especially when it is only five minutes away from Warburton's hubbub.

George Road comes off Warburton Highway just opposite a section of the Yarra River suitable for walks and swimming and with a bus stop there that goes through Lilydale to Chirnside park and stopping at all townships along the way--although it only runs four times a day (out and four time inwards). George Road is greener than the rest of East Warburton (in fact it is lush compared to most of Victoria). It has excellent reception for TV, internet (including ADSL) and mobile phones (not all of East Warburton has!). The East Warburton Primary School is within easy walking distance. The neighbours have all been friendly towards me and help each other out. It is an unmade road but the council keep it regularly updated and in good condition. The road starts low close to Warburton Hwy and rises up to a little hill at the end.

Warburton is a lovely community with a fabulous cafe and restaurant culture and with all amenities: supermarket, post office, bank, chemist, newsagent, etcetera. Also tennis courts, golf range, a local football oval, lawn bowls, and a Community Arts Complex/Cinema that not only shows films, but has art exhibitions, plays, stand-up comedy, musicals and music and more both local and touring. It also has a very pleasant 'River Walk' over swing bridges and along a tree-lined path, with picnic tables, barbecues and opportunities to feed the ducks too. There are many arts and crafts related community with clubs and classes, and a large gardening club if you are into gardening and are interested in sharing with others and/or touring gardens both local and further afield.

Warburton is five minutes by car, twenty by bicycle and and an hour walking from George Road, which can be done along a very pleasant and flat track that runs beside the road for half of it before plunging into the bush and following along the river where it becomes even prettier. This bicycle/walking track goes all the way to Lilydale if you want to be more adventurous.

In the snow season Mt. Donna Buang is 17 minutes away by car for tobagganing and snow play and you can see the snow on top of the mountains from most properties on the street. While Lake Mountain is one hour away and the rest of the snowfields closer to you from here.

20 minutes away and Yarra Junction has a very new indoor pool and gym complex and the choice of more shops and cafes. There are also winery restaurants in the area.