Four overlooked Victorian beach towns that won’t break the bank
For those prepared to drive past Anglesea or the Mornington Peninsula, delightful seaside spots offer value for money.
It’s summer and the beach beckons, but many families are priced out of holiday home or coastal housing options within a two-hour drive of Melbourne.
Here are some value-for-money beachside housing markets three and four hours from the city. For those prepared to drive past Anglesea, Torquay and Ocean Grove to the west and the Mornington Peninsula to the east, these delightful seaside spots are less likely to break the bank.
Port Fairy in Victoria’s west.Credit: Damian White
Port Fairy
Port Fairy, almost a four-hour drive west of Melbourne, is a stunning, historical beachside town on the banks of the Moyne River. It is famous for its river mouth surf break, creative community, foodie culture and the annual four-day folk festival.
Aside from a couple of older properties on the highway, the lowest prices are mostly unachievable for local first home buyers.
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The median house price is $857,000, down 12.5 per cent from a year ago but a 30.6 per cent gain over five years.
It is not uncommon for “really good houses” in the town centre to fetch $1.5 million and South Beach properties, $1.2 million, Stockdale & Leggo Port Fairy agent Sarah McCorkell said.
“There’s been a real mix of sales and a real mix of buyers. Of the ten of our properties that are due to settle, two are first home buyers, three are downsizing and the others are either moving into the area or buying a holiday house,” she said.
“We are really lucky that Melbourne buyers love Port Fairy. It’s still a rural country town with good food and hospitality.”
Portland
The maritime town of Portland is on the far west coast of Victoria, featuring at least a dozen beaches, some of Victoria’s most consistent surf spots, and some of Victoria’s most affordable beachside housing.
Portland real estate offers better value than some other coastal hotspots.Credit: Domain
Portland is about a four-and-a half hour drive west of Melbourne. Its employment options include Alcoa’s aluminium smelter, the deepwater port, forestry, logistics and agriculture – and there’s a thriving arts and sporting community.
