Upper Ferntree Gully
Suburb profile, market snapshot and recent listings for Upper Ferntree Gully, VIC 3156.
About Upper Ferntree Gully
Welcome to Upper Ferntree Gully
Upper Ferntree Gully sits in Melbourne's outer east, tucked into the lower slopes of the Dandenong Ranges roughly 35 kilometres from the CBD. It's the point where suburban Melbourne gives way to hills country, with the suburb bordered by Tremont, Upwey, Tecoma, Ferny Creek and Belgrave — names that signal exactly the kind of leafy, elevated terrain this part of the world is known for.
With a population of just 3,417 and a median age of 41, it's a quieter, more settled corner of the east than the bustling suburbs closer to town. It tends to suit families and downsizers after space, gardens and a bush backdrop, without giving up the convenience of a train line and a well-worn shopping strip nearby.
Lifestyle & dining
Life here is built around the surrounding hills rather than a bustling café strip. Residents lean on nearby Upwey and Belgrave for their coffee, pubs and casual dining, while Ferntree Gully village itself is a short drive away for supermarkets, takeaway and a broader spread of restaurants. It's a relaxed, outdoorsy kind of lifestyle — the sort of place where weekend plans are more likely to involve a bushwalk than a brunch queue.
Shopping
For everyday needs, residents typically head to the shopping strips in Upwey or Ferntree Gully, both close by, which cover supermarkets, specialty stores and banking. Belgrave, at the top of the Puffing Billy line, adds a slightly more tourist-oriented mix of shops, cafés and produce stores, giving locals a pleasant alternative for a weekend outing without a long drive.
Getting around
Upper Ferntree Gully is served by its own station on the Belgrave line, giving residents a direct rail link into the city and connections through to Upwey, Tecoma and Belgrave in the other direction. The Burwood Highway runs through the area, making it straightforward to drive towards Ferntree Gully, Boronia and the Eastern suburbs, or up into the hills towards Sassafras and Olinda. It's not a suburb built for those who need to be car-free, but the train option takes the pressure off for commuters.
Schools & families
Upper Ferntree Gully Primary School anchors the local family scene, offering a genuine neighbourhood option within walking distance for many residents. Families with older children typically look to secondary options in the wider Knox and Dandenong Ranges districts, with the leafy, low-density feel of the suburb and its neighbours making it a popular choice for those wanting their kids to grow up with a backyard and bush on the doorstep.
Parks & recreation
This is a suburb defined by its proximity to the Dandenong Ranges National Park and the many walking trails that thread through Ferny Creek, Tremont and the surrounding hills. The Thousand Steps (Kokoda Track Memorial Walk) at nearby Ferntree Gully is one of the region's best-known fitness and nature drawcards, drawing walkers and runners from across Melbourne's east. Locally, there are smaller reserves and sporting grounds for everyday use, but it's the immediate access to bushland that really sets the lifestyle here apart.
Housing & architecture
Housing stock is dominated by freestanding houses, which make up 77% of current listings, reflecting the suburb's low-density, hills character — blocks tend to be larger and greener than closer-in suburbs. Apartments and units account for 14% of listings and vacant land makes up the remaining 9%, giving buyers a modest but real option for those looking to build or downsize within the same postcode.
The property market
The median house price in Upper Ferntree Gully currently sits at $903,000, having grown 9.4% recently — a solid result that reflects continued demand for hills lifestyle suburbs within commuting distance of the city. Renters can expect to pay a median of $600 a week, a figure that speaks to the suburb's family-oriented housing stock rather than a high-turnover rental market. With its mix of established houses, a smaller unit segment and some land opportunities, it remains an accessible entry point into the Dandenong Ranges lifestyle compared with pricier hills suburbs closer to the tourist trail.
Market snapshot
Upper Ferntree Gully property market
Median sale price
$903k
House · 3 bed
Median rent
$600
per week
Gross rental yield
3.5%
annual rent ÷ sale price
Typical price range
Entry
$718k
Median
$903k
Premium
$1.05m
Days on market
18
Auction clearance
0%
Sold this year
20
Median sold price trend · House 3 bed
Compound growth +1.1% / yr over 4 yrs
Median price by bedrooms · House
Property types on market
Share of current listings in Upper Ferntree Gully by dwelling type.
Who lives here
Demographics
ABS Census 2021 figures for Upper Ferntree Gully, VIC 3156.
Population
3,417
residents (2021)
Median age
41
years
Household income
$2,039
median, per week
Median rent
$369
per week
Median mortgage
$2,000
per month
Mortgage / income
23%
comfortable
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics, Census of Population and Housing 2021. Suburb-level (SAL) aggregates.
Education
Schools in Upper Ferntree Gully
Government school catchment
Recent results
Recently sold in Upper Ferntree Gully
$795k
18 Wynette Avenue
Sold ~July 2026
$1.05m
8 Baldwin Avenue
Sold ~July 2026
$825k
1 Beilby Close
Sold ~July 2026
$905k
29 Ferndale Road
Sold ~July 2026
$720k
19 Seaby Avenue
Sold ~July 2026
$880k
5 Vernon Street
Sold ~June 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 Upper Ferntree Gully
Compare the area
Price map around Upper Ferntree Gully
Every listing for sale near Upper Ferntree Gully, coloured by price — so you can see how it stacks up against the streets and suburbs next door.
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Common questions
Upper Ferntree Gully suburb FAQ
What is the median property price in Upper Ferntree Gully?
The median house price in Upper Ferntree Gully, VIC is $903k for a 3-bedroom home. Over the past year, median sold prices have risen about 9.4%.
How much is rent in Upper Ferntree Gully?
The median weekly rent in Upper Ferntree Gully is around $600 per week.
Is Upper Ferntree Gully a good place to live?
Upper Ferntree Gully is an established residential suburb in VIC, with a population of around 3,417 and 1 school in the area.
What is the population of Upper Ferntree Gully?
Upper Ferntree Gully has a population of 3,417 (ABS 2021 Census), with a median age of 41.
What schools are in Upper Ferntree Gully?
There is 1 school in or near Upper Ferntree Gully, including Upper Ferntree Gully Primary School.
How long do homes take to sell in Upper Ferntree Gully?
Properties in Upper Ferntree Gully take around 18 days to sell on average, with an auction clearance rate of about 0%.
How much do you need to buy in Upper Ferntree Gully?
Entry-level properties in Upper Ferntree Gully start around $718k, while premium homes reach $1.05m.
What suburbs are near Upper Ferntree Gully?
Suburbs near Upper Ferntree Gully include Tremont, Upwey, Tecoma, Ferny Creek and Belgrave.
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