Melbourne's eastern suburbs offer one of Australia's most enjoyable weekend drives. From elegant inner-city neighbourhoods to thriving family communities and the gateway to the Yarra Valley, this route showcases a diverse range of homes, shopping precincts, cafés and parklands.

Whether you're searching for a new home, considering an investment or simply exploring another part of Melbourne, this self-guided tour provides an ideal day out.

Tour Overview

Starting Point: Melbourne CBD

Destination: Ringwood

Distance: Approximately 30 kilometres

Driving Time: Around 50 minutes (excluding stops)

Recommended Time: Full day

Stop 1 – Richmond (9:00 am)

Begin your journey just east of Melbourne's CBD.

Walk along Bridge Road and Swan Street to experience one of Melbourne's most vibrant inner-city precincts. Explore the cafés, inspect the Victorian terrace homes and modern apartment developments, and enjoy the energy that has made Richmond one of Melbourne's most sought-after suburbs.

Highlights

• Historic terrace housing
• Modern apartments
• Boutique shopping
• Café culture

Stop 2 – Hawthorn (10:00 am)

Travel east along Bridge Road and continue into Hawthorn.

Stroll along Glenferrie Road, browse local boutiques and admire the elegant homes that line many of the surrounding streets. The suburb blends prestige real estate with outstanding schools and beautiful parklands.

Highlights

• Heritage homes
• Glenferrie Road shopping
• Schools
• Yarra River parklands

Stop 3 – Kew (11:00 am)

A short drive brings you to Kew.

Enjoy the leafy boulevards and impressive family homes before visiting Alexandra Gardens or one of the local cafés.

Kew remains one of Melbourne's classic prestige suburbs.

Highlights

• Tree-lined streets
• Grand family residences
• Parks
• Riverside scenery

Stop 4 – Balwyn & Balwyn North (12:00 pm)

Continue east through two of Melbourne's most desirable family suburbs.

Inspect the established homes, neighbourhood shopping villages and sporting facilities that continue to attract families seeking long-term lifestyles.

Highlights

• Family homes
• Local shopping villages
• Schools
• Community atmosphere

Lunch – Box Hill (1:00 pm)

Box Hill offers one of Melbourne's most exciting multicultural dining precincts.

Choose from Asian restaurants, cafés and bakeries before exploring the surrounding retail centre.

Take time to experience how this suburb has transformed into one of Melbourne's major commercial hubs.

Stop 5 – Blackburn (2:30 pm)

Leave the bustle behind and head into Blackburn.

Visit Blackburn Lake Sanctuary or simply enjoy driving through the quiet residential streets that make this suburb a favourite with families.

Highlights

• Nature reserves
• Established homes
• Peaceful streets
• Village atmosphere

Stop 6 – Nunawading (3:30 pm)

Continue east to Nunawading.

Explore the homemaker precincts and observe how older homes are gradually giving way to carefully planned redevelopment.

Its location and transport connections continue to drive buyer interest.

Final Stop – Ringwood (4:30 pm)

Finish the afternoon in Ringwood.

Visit Eastland Shopping Centre, walk through the modern town centre and see why Ringwood has become Melbourne's major eastern commercial hub.

From here, visitors can continue another day into the Yarra Valley.

Highlights

• Eastland Shopping Centre
• Transport hub
• Modern apartments
• Gateway to regional Victoria

Property Snapshot

• Richmond: Inner-city professionals and investors.
• Hawthorn: Prestige homes and established families.
• Kew: Grand residences and premium lifestyle.
• Balwyn: Highly regarded family neighbourhoods.
• Box Hill: Apartments, commercial growth and multicultural living.
• Blackburn: Quiet suburban lifestyle.
• Nunawading: Value with excellent transport.
• Ringwood: Growth corridor and regional gateway.

Next Weekend

Our Property Tour leaves metropolitan Melbourne and heads into the spectacular Yarra Valley, exploring Lilydale, Coldstream, Yering and Healesville—where vineyards, lifestyle properties and country estates offer a completely different vision of Victorian living.