Lara
Suburb profile, market snapshot and recent listings for Lara, VIC 3212.
About Lara
Welcome to Lara
Lara sits between Geelong and Melbourne, just off the Princes Highway and the western edge of Corio Bay's hinterland, roughly a 15-minute drive from Geelong's CBD. It's a town that has grown from a rural service centre into one of the region's most popular family destinations, without losing the sense of space that drew people there in the first place.
With a population of around 19,014 and a median age of 37, Lara has the profile of a settled, family-oriented community — the kind of place where young households and long-time locals share the same streets, footy clubs and school car parks. It suits buyers who want a house with a yard, easy access to both Geelong and Melbourne, and a slower pace than the inner suburbs offer.
Lifestyle & dining
Life in Lara revolves around its town centre, with cafes, bakeries and everyday dining options clustered around the main strip near the railway station. It's a low-key food scene rather than a destination one, geared towards locals grabbing coffee before work or families meeting for a casual lunch on the weekend. The nearby You Yangs Regional Park and the short run down to Corio Bay and Geelong's waterfront give residents plenty of options when they want a change of scenery without a long drive.
Getting around
Lara's biggest practical drawcard is its location. The Lara railway station sits on the Geelong line, putting Geelong itself within easy reach and Melbourne accessible via a direct or connecting service, making it a realistic option for commuters who work in the city but want more affordable land and larger blocks. The Princes Highway runs along the edge of town, linking Lara efficiently to Geelong, the Bellarine Peninsula and, in the other direction, the outskirts of Melbourne and Avalon Airport.
Schools & families
Families are well catered for locally, with Lara Primary School and Lara Secondary College both serving the area and giving parents a straightforward public-school pathway from prep through to year 12 without leaving town. Combined with the suburb's median age of 37 and its stock of family-sized houses, Lara has built a reputation as a place where kids can grow up close to schools, sporting grounds and open space.
Housing & architecture
The housing stock in Lara is overwhelmingly detached houses — current listings show 91% houses and 8% land, with no townhouses or apartments in the mix. That reflects the suburb's character: established brick-veneer homes on generous blocks alongside newer estates being built out on land releases at the town's fringes, appealing to buyers after a standalone home rather than medium-density living.
The property market
Lara's median house price currently sits at $749,000, with units and apartments — a much smaller part of the market — at a median of $465,000. House prices have shown modest recent growth of 1.2%, suggesting a market that has settled into steady, incremental gains rather than rapid swings. Median rent across the suburb is $600 a week, a figure that reflects solid ongoing demand from tenants drawn by the same commuter access and family amenity that appeals to buyers. With land still available for new builds alongside an established housing base, Lara offers a mix of entry points for both owner-occupiers and investors.
Market snapshot
Lara property market
Median sale price
$749k
House · 4 bed
Median rent
$600
per week
Gross rental yield
4.2%
annual rent ÷ sale price
Typical price range
Entry
$633k
Median
$749k
Premium
$967k
Days on market
37
Auction clearance
36%
Sold this year
294
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 Lara by dwelling type.
Who lives here
Demographics
ABS Census 2021 figures for Lara, VIC 3212.
Population
19,014
residents (2021)
Median age
37
years
Household income
$1,969
median, per week
Median rent
$370
per week
Median mortgage
$1,733
per month
Mortgage / income
20%
comfortable
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics, Census of Population and Housing 2021. Suburb-level (SAL) aggregates.
Education
Schools in Lara
Government school catchment
Recent results
Recently sold in Lara
$829k
1 Goodenia Avenue
Sold ~July 2026
$760k
29 Coridale Boulevard
Sold ~July 2026
$829k
11 Coridale Boulevard
Sold ~July 2026
$789k
35 Stringybark Drive
Sold ~July 2026
$620k
24 Francis Court
Sold ~July 2026
$745k
34 Blackwood Road
Sold ~July 2026
$820k
25 Kingston Drive
Sold ~July 2026
$839k
20 Cedar Road
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 Lara
Compare the area
Price map around Lara
Every listing for sale near Lara, coloured by price — so you can see how it stacks up against the streets and suburbs next door.
Loading price map…
Common questions
Lara suburb FAQ
What is the median property price in Lara?
The median house price in Lara, VIC is $749k for a 4-bedroom home. Over the past year, median sold prices have risen about 1.2%.
How much is rent in Lara?
The median weekly rent in Lara is around $600 per week.
Is Lara a good place to live?
Lara is a town in Victoria, 18 km north-east of the Geelong CBD. Lara is an established residential suburb in VIC, with a population of around 19,014 and 2 schools in the area.
What is the population of Lara?
Lara has a population of 19,014 (ABS 2021 Census), with a median age of 37.
What schools are in Lara?
There are 2 schools in or near Lara, including Lara Primary School and Lara Secondary College.
How long do homes take to sell in Lara?
Properties in Lara take around 37 days to sell on average, with an auction clearance rate of about 36%.
How much do you need to buy in Lara?
Entry-level properties in Lara start around $633k, while premium homes reach $967k.
What suburbs are near Lara?
Suburbs near Lara include Matilda Circut Lara.
Fresh to market
New this week in Lara
Mimosa Homes Proudly Presents the Jamieson 176
Mimosa Homes Proudly Presents the Heyfield 177
Mimosa Homes Proudly Presents the Montrose 182
Contemporary Design, Effortless Family Living
Available now
Properties in Lara
Light-Filled Living Wrapped Around a Striking Internal Courtyard
Spacious Family Home Designed for Growing Households
Spacious Family Living in a Quiet Ballarat East Setting
PRIME BALLARAT CENTRAL TWO-BEDROOM UNIT
Mimosa Homes Proudly Presents the Enfield 201
Mimosa Homes Proudly Presents the Chelsea 200
Prime Central Ballarat Townhouse Low-Maintenance Living
Mimosa Homes Proudly Presents the Lancaster 194
Mimosa Homes Proudly Presents the Saba 331
