Eltham
Suburb profile, market snapshot and recent listings for Eltham, VIC 3095.
About Eltham
Welcome to Eltham
Eltham sits about 22 kilometres north-east of the Melbourne CBD, tucked into the Diamond Valley where the suburban fringe gives way to the Nillumbik hills and the Yarra Valley beyond. It's long been known as Melbourne's "artists' colony", a reputation built on the mudbrick and timber houses that architects like Alistair Knox scattered through its bushy streets from the 1950s onward, and on the creative community that grew up around them.
These days Eltham suits families and tree-changers who want genuine bush surrounds without giving up train access to the city. With a population of just under 19,000 and a median age of 43, it's a settled, established suburb rather than a fast-growing new estate, and it sits comfortably alongside neighbours Eltham North, Research, St Helena, Briar Hill and Wattle Glen as part of a broader green belt on Melbourne's north-eastern edge.
Lifestyle & dining
Eltham's town centre has a relaxed, villagey feel, with cafes, pubs and independent restaurants clustered around Main Road and the Eltham Town Square. It's not a suburb chasing trends so much as one that has quietly supported the same mix of good coffee, casual dining and community events for decades, including a well-regarded farmers' market and a strong live music and arts scene that traces back to the Montsalvat artists' colony on the suburb's edge. Locals tend to describe the pace as unhurried, and that carries through to weekends spent walking the Diamond Creek trails or browsing the local galleries rather than heading into the city.
Shopping
Day-to-day shopping is centred on the Eltham Village and Town Square precinct, which covers supermarkets, specialty retailers and a cinema alongside the cafe strip, while Research and Greensborough (just beyond the immediate area) offer additional options for bigger shopping trips. The overall feel is neighbourhood-scale rather than mall-driven, which suits residents who prefer independent shops to big retail chains.
Getting around
Eltham station, on the Hurstbridge line, puts the suburb roughly 40-45 minutes from Flinders Street by train, making it a realistic commute for city workers who are happy to trade travel time for space and greenery. Main Road and Bolton Street link through to the Eastern Freeway and Greensborough Highway for drivers, while local bus routes connect Eltham to Research, Wattle Glen, St Helena and Briar Hill. Being on the edge of the green wedge, Eltham is more car-dependent than inner suburbs, but the train line is a genuine drawcard for those wanting to avoid the drive in.
Schools & families
Families are well served locally, with Eltham Primary School and Eltham East Primary School both long-established options, Eltham High School providing government secondary schooling, and Catholic Ladies' College offering an independent alternative. The presence of multiple primary schools within the suburb, plus secondary options close by, is a big part of Eltham's appeal to families looking to put down roots rather than move again in a few years.
Parks & recreation
Eltham's setting along Diamond Creek and against the backdrop of the Kangaroo Ground and Nillumbik hills gives it some of the best bush and river access of any suburb this close to Melbourne. Walking and cycling trails follow the creek through town, linking to Eltham Park and on to Research and Wattle Glen, and there's ready access to the Yarra Valley's wineries and the Kinglake ranges for weekend trips. This is a suburb where backyard space and nearby nature reserves are as much a selling point as anything on the main street.
The property market
Eltham's property market reflects its established, family-oriented character. The median house price sits at $1.35 million, with units and apartments considerably more affordable at a median of $860,000, and median rent across the suburb at $850 a week. House prices have grown 5.5% recently, a solid result that points to continued demand for the suburb's mix of space, bush setting and train access. Listings are dominated by houses, which make up 64% of current stock, with townhouses at 13%, apartments and units at 12%, and land at 12% - a mix that underlines Eltham's identity as a house-and-land suburb rather than a medium-density one, though there's still some choice for buyers after a lower-maintenance unit or townhouse.
Market snapshot
Eltham property market
Median sale price
$1.35m
House · 4 bed
Median rent
$850
per week
Gross rental yield
3.3%
annual rent ÷ sale price
Typical price range
Entry
$1.02m
Median
$1.35m
Premium
$1.90m
Days on market
22
Auction clearance
63%
Sold this year
120
Median sold price trend · House 4 bed
Compound growth -0.3% / yr over 4 yrs
Median price by bedrooms · House
Property types on market
Share of current listings in Eltham by dwelling type.
Who lives here
Demographics
ABS Census 2021 figures for Eltham, VIC 3095.
Population
18,847
residents (2021)
Median age
43
years
Household income
$2,391
median, per week
Median rent
$440
per week
Median mortgage
$2,250
per month
Mortgage / income
22%
comfortable
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics, Census of Population and Housing 2021. Suburb-level (SAL) aggregates.
Education
Schools in Eltham
Government school catchment
Independent & Catholic schools
Recent results
Recently sold in Eltham
$1.25m
7 Arcola Court
Sold ~July 2026
$900k
172 Bolton Street
Sold ~July 2026
$3.05m
1 Cooinda Place
Sold ~July 2026
$740k
3/26 Bible Street
Sold ~July 2026
$1.07m
11 Beard Street
Sold ~July 2026
$940k
1/95 Pitt Street
Sold ~July 2026
$1.36m
11 Hartland Way
Sold ~July 2026
$800k
57 Frank Street
Sold ~July 2026
Sold prices as published on the original listing; some may reflect the last advertised price. Dates are approximate.
Explore the area
Properties & amenities in Eltham
Compare the area
Price map around Eltham
Every listing for sale near Eltham, coloured by price — so you can see how it stacks up against the streets and suburbs next door.
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Nearby suburbs
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Common questions
Eltham suburb FAQ
What is the median property price in Eltham?
The median house price in Eltham, VIC is $1.35m for a 4-bedroom home. Over the past year, median sold prices have risen about 5.5%.
How much is rent in Eltham?
The median weekly rent in Eltham is around $850 per week.
Is Eltham a good place to live?
Eltham is a suburb of Melbourne, 20 km (12 mi) north-east of the Central Business District, located within the Shire of Nillumbik local government area. Eltham is an established residential suburb in VIC, with a population of around 18,847 and 4 schools in the area.
What is the population of Eltham?
Eltham has a population of 18,847 (ABS 2021 Census), with a median age of 43.
What schools are in Eltham?
There are 4 schools in or near Eltham, including Eltham East Primary School, Eltham Primary School and Catholic Ladies' College Ltd.
How long do homes take to sell in Eltham?
Properties in Eltham take around 22 days to sell on average, with an auction clearance rate of about 63%.
How much do you need to buy in Eltham?
Entry-level properties in Eltham start around $1.02m, while premium homes reach $1.90m.
What suburbs are near Eltham?
Suburbs near Eltham include Research, Eltham North, St Helena, Briar Hill and Wattle Glen.
Fresh to market
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