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joannew14

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Reviews

Cambridge Road

"Cambridge Rd - A truly beautiful, historical and vital Road."

The area around Cambridge Road was subdivided in 1958, with the estate of 220 acres called 'Mooroolbark Heights Estate'. It was once known as White Gums for the many Manna Gums and Candlebark that covered the hill. I believe there's a protection in place on the road that is still upheld today. There must be preserved a green wedge/easement each side of Cambridge Road. Fortunate for the road as there are many native species of gums and various plants of interest.

As mentioned, this road and area developed as the first Mooroolbark estate and the location was chosen due to planning and surveying having earmarked this as prime land for development that was previously used for grazing, the roads and the estate gained access to what was the first choice in prime land and as a result there are wider roads and more of an open feel to the area, the older estates often provide this.

These days the road provides quick access to Mooroolbark Town Centre and is the division between Mooroolbark and Kilsyth. The road has a dedicated bike track on the Mooroolbark side that crosses over to Kilsyth near Pembroke Rd, this Bike Track can take you to Elizabeth Bridge Reserve and Brushy Creek linear trail and not forgetting the Carrum to Warburton Trail, a major enhancement to the trail network in Melbourne's east that will (at time of writing this review incomplete) traverse Cambridge Road Mooroolbark/Kilsyth, a cost of $7.4m fully funded.

There are now dedicated pedestrian lights/bike crossing between Hawthory Road and Dunrossil Drive which will offer 100km of off-road riding between Carrum and Warburton to Bay Trail and the Peninsula Link Trail. Cambridge Road offers access to Mooroolbark with the 5 ways roundabouts (one of the most unique intersections in Melbourne/Victoria) and at the opposite end there's the suburb of Montrose.

Turning left at the Montrose end (Swansea Road) will take you to Mt Evelyn via York Road and Lilydale via Swansea Rd passing Lillydale Lake. Turning right at Swansea Rd will take you to the Mt Dandenong Tourist road with all the wonders of Mt Dandenong. Edna Walling claimed that Cambridge Road was (and likely still is) one of the "Prettiest Roads in Victoria". The only thing I think should be considered is a 50km speed limit between Hawthory Rd and Durhum Rd as the 60km limit is treated as 70-80km at times.

There's also access the O'Shannassy Pipeline Track that is an excellent walk from Mitcham to Mount Evelyn or great for the Mountain Bike enthusiast. Located between Dryden Concourse and Lawson Rd Mooroolbark (Mountfield Rd Kilsyth) on Cambridge Rd this Pipe Track can take you to Olinda Creek, Edinburgh Rd, Olinda Reservoir and beyond to Mount Evelyn Aqueduct Walk or all the way to Mitcham.

The walk allows thoughts regarding the amount of drinking water that passes under your feet via pipe which is quite intriguing and with close to 30 meters of open area that has a great open feel adding to the walking experience with some hills, flats and and great views. Most people passing this section of Cambridge Road by car probably wouldn't know that Melbournians benefit from this drinking water daily. The O'Shannassy Pipeline has been providing this since early last century, older than most of us alive today.

Summing up, Cambridge Road is a beautiful road with the older estates each side and wide open roads that connect with it. Property prices are steep but reasonable considering the fresh air and location and includes some unique but vital history not only to Mooroolbark's history and locality but indeed to the whole of Melbourne's drinking water supply.

Cambridge Rd - A truly beautiful, historical and vital Road.

Great for

  • Access to awesome Bike Trails, Miniture Steam Rail, parks etc
  • Easy to get to shops
  • Green and Clean!

Not great for

  • Authorities should consider a 50km speed limit between HawthoryRd and Durhum Rd Mooroolbark

Who lives here?

  • Professionals
  • Families with kids
  • Retirees
  • Students
  • Country Lovers
  • Trendy & Stylish
0
The opinions expressed within this review are those of the individual and not those of Homely.com.au.
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Mooroolbark

"Great place to live, period!"

It really has become a suburb to be proud of. Conveniences that are easy to find, with all the major stores within 10-15 minutes by car or public transport. It costs so much to get into the area now but I guess you get what you pay for. I've travelled the world and have lived in a number of other suburbs both in Victoria and interstate. Many of the places I have lived are very close to the city and with that is also that city vibe and also the trouble that comes with that. But Mooroolbark is a lively town during the day with friendly people but at night its quiet and the shops are mostly closed. What I do hate is that there are so many older people moving on or scaling down, leaving houses with large parcels of land and because of this, unfortunately, there are greedy developers that have nothing to do with the area and want to line their pockets are carving up the neighbourhood, extremely rude actually. Also Yarra Ranges Council should start restricting these types of developments and start mixing up the suburb with some bigger homes, some two stories and some five bedroom single story houses, it's time for some diversity now! There's been enough apartments built and dual occupancies are now a bit overkill. So that change would be nice to see.

Regarding Mooroolbark, here are some things that others haven't touched on. Proximity to Eastland Ringwood only three train stops away, Go Carting, Ten pin bowling, great sports facilities and plenty of open spaces, some of the best private schools are accessible via the train line as well as a number of private schools in the area, Train to Puff and Billy via Ringwood, and in the other direction direct access to the Warburton Trail (awesome bike ride), the Yarra Valley. Mooroolbark is really in the centre of everything, via the Eastlink which is only 10-15 min away. Whether it's to the Coast or the Bush or City vibe, Mooroolbark is within reach of all of these without too many delays, the Dandenong Ranges, and all the tourist hubs that are only a stones throw away.

The things that would be nice to see is the Brushy Creek running free again and like others have said the Terrace Shopping Centre in Brice Ave needs to be demolished and a Woolworths with fuel or a mixture of shops there in its place, the Terrace is dead and old and overdue for a revamp, I don't know how people make a living in that place actually.

That said there's plenty of things to do otherwise if you're into physical activity. Mooroolbark has a long history and I would say Mooroolbark is part rural, part suburbia, and also unique and quiet but has plenty of things to see, I've been here over 20 years and still finding unique places around Mooroolbark. Yes, all-in-all and very good suburb that is under appreciated by some locals and overlooked by good people looking for other good people. Great place to live, period! I just wish there'd be a few more younger people have a go at building new homes that make a bit of a statement. Venture out to some places like Greenvale and the house cost for a small piece of land is when compared to Mooroolbark, I just don't understand why a 864 Square Meter block doesn't appeal to a young family wanting to demolish and rebuild a newer home? But I guess it's easier to see something built than envisage a final investment opportunity. Finally I was on a flight from Singapore and found an Album by Barney McAll called Mooroolbark, listened to all the tracks. You can see why after his return home that he named the Album after the town. In a similar way although I've only been here for 22 years I feel that my heart is in the place.

To all the negative reviewers I say get out into the world and then you will see how incredible Mooroolbark really is. No place is perfect but if you can find peace then it's good enough.

Great for

  • Ideal for young families or young couples
  • Plenty of backyard space
  • Mobile phone reception
  • Internet access

Who lives here?

  • Professionals
  • Families with kids
  • Retirees
  • Students
  • Trendy & Stylish
1
The opinions expressed within this review are those of the individual and not those of Homely.com.au.
Report