Why Elwood is Melbourne’s just-right bayside suburb

St Kilda gets the backpackers and Brighton gets the BMWs, but Elwood in between gets it just right.

This pocket of Melbourne is an easygoing blend of bayside calm and city convenience. Eight kilometres from the CBD, it’s leafy and sandy in all the right places. If you’re not too busy grafting to afford the rent or mortgage, every day can feel like a seaside holiday.

Throw in a canal and Elwood becomes “the Venice of Melbourne” (well, that’s what we reckon they ought to call it, anyway).

It’s the kind of ‘hood people are loath to leave – and usually do so only when they need more space for the kids, Bugaboo stroller and spoodle.

The suburb’s streets are a showcase of Melbourne’s architectural heritage, from art deco and 1960s “six-pack” apartments and Edwardian cottages to revamped Victorians and slick modern homes on streets lined with plane trees.

Life’s essentials – boutiques, grocers, skin studios and superfood bars – can be found along Ormond Road and Glen Huntly Road, where cafe tables spilling onto the footpath contribute to a suburb that’s as practical as it is picturesque.

Elwood Beach hits its KPIs with a life saving club (fun fact: it’s the oldest on Port Phillip Bay), a grassy foreshore and a path knotted with walkers, joggers and dog walkers.

At its northern end, Beach Shack Elwood comes to the party with its uncomplicated offering of coffee, toasties and fish and chips. Find a stretch of sand or fight for an outside table overlooking the action.

Speaking of coffee, Elwood takes its morning brew seriously. On any morning, the scent of espresso and freshly baked bread lures locals to Ormond Road.

Plain Sailing anchors the cafe scene with its beachy interiors and on-trend brunch dishes like pulled pork benedict, while Arlo swings happily between continents with its miso chilli scramble, Turkish eggs, and salmon and corn gazpacho.

The wellness crowd gravitate to Combi for its smoothies (add mushroom powder for extra glow), acai bowls and surf-shack charm, while Mokosz Cafe has recently taken over the site previously occupied by the legendary The Turtle cafe, adding a Greek flavour to the prominent corner.

When the sun dips below the bay, Elwood’s social life glows in a gentler way than its rowdier neighbours. Grab your dog for a G&T in the courtyard housing Rosie’s Bar (it’s the backyard to the eternally reliable Johnny’s Coffee Roasters), and avail yourself of margaritas and tacos at Repeat Offender.

Take it up a notch with seafood and champagne at Elwood Bathers. Overlooking the beach, it’s a great place to watch children and dogs gambol while enjoying the Elwood good life.

Agent lens

with Torsten Kasper from Chisholm & Gamon Jellis Craig Port Phillip

Who typically buys in Elwood?

Elwood buyers are generally young to middle-aged professionals looking for a beachside lifestyle in a community village setting. Because of the relaxed nature of the area, a number of high-profile personalities also reside in the suburb – they enjoy the no-fuss nature of the locals. There is a relaxed sophistication to the neighbourhood, while the retail village represents a wonderfully broad array of food, fashion and coffee options.

For sale in Elwood

$3,900,000 - $4,200,000

4 Beach Avenue, Elwood VIC 3184

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Elwood’s golden mile amps up its charm with this handsome Edwardian on a sizeable block close to the beach and the shopping village. A bay window-fronted sitting room or bedroom at the front is all yesteryear elegance, while the family-friendly rear extension opens to a private garden oasis.