Moving to Melbourne Carrum Downs

Carrum Downs Photo Gallery
Below is a gallery of photos around the streets of Carrum Downs including photos of the rental accommodation and also the schools in the area.

5 Mile Radius		10 Mile Radius

Suburbs within a 5mile radius of Carrum Downs include:		Suburbs within a 10mile radius of Carrum Downs include:
Carrum	Seaford	Berwick	Mt Eliza
Cranbourne	Patterson Lakes	Chelsea	Edithvale
Frankston	Lyndhurst	Dandenong	Frankston South
Chelsea Heights	Langwarrin	Lynbrook	Narre Warren
Sandhurst	Skye	Aspendale	Mordialloc
15 Mile Radius		20 Mile Radius

Suburbs within a 15mile radius of Carrum Downs include:		Suburbs within a 20mile radius of Carrum Downs include:
Beaumaris	Mornington	Mt Martha	Belgrave
Cheltenham	Sandringham	Bayswater	Boronia
Mentone	Tooradin	Brighton	Glen Iris
Mulgrave	Blackrock	Caulfield	Hastings
Notting Hill	Clayton	Ferntree Gully	Pakenham

Carrum Downs was recently voted the 4th top best performing suburb and has been mentioned in numerous articles as one of the best suburbs to purchase property with the East Link due to open on the 29th June this year (2008)

For years there’s been a growing divide between suburbs that have increased in value, and others which fell back. Five years after the real estate market’s ‘peak’, we ask which suburbs really were ‘safe as houses’ for investors.

For the three years to 2001, Melbourne’s property market was exploding. Government incentives were driving a development boom, interest rates were at an all time low and the sudden increase of real estate options - in particular new suburbs and high rise inner city living - started an historic game of musical chairs.

Agents repeatedly reported cases of property selling 30% or more above reserve, and modest homes that started the cycle valued at around $250,000 were suddenly worth upwards of half a million dollars.

In 2001 alone, real estate values in Melbourne increased 20%, according to research by the Real Estate Institute of Victoria.

While the commercial property markets went on to continue this boom, the residential market slowed, and continued to slow following the events of September 11 until 2004, when median values began going backwards.

Figures released by the REIV since 2004 show a growing divide between suburbs that continued to increase in value, and others which fell back.

Five years ago, the pick of the bunch were Caulfield, Strathmore and Malvern - which each recorded annual median price increases of around 40%. Braybrook topped the chart with a median value increase of 40.2%, and nine of the top ten suburbs were within a 20 kilometre ring of the CBD.

Measured on a five-year basis however, just four of the best performing suburbs are within that ring - with suburbs more than 40 kilometres from the CBD dominating the rankings and expected to continue growing.

1. Hoppers Crossing (116.8% increase since September 2001)
2. Toorak (112.4%)
3. Seaford (97.1%)
4. Carrum Downs (94.4%)
5. Hawthorn (91.1%)
6. Altona (71.7%)
7. Hampton Park (71%)
8. Mount Evelyn (69%)
9. Craigieburn (66.7%)
10. Mornington (66.3%)

“What is coming out here is the impact of lifestyle changes” says Bernard Salt, demographer and Partner with advisers KPMG. “The sea change shift actually applies within metropolitan Melbourne.”

The western suburb of Hoppers Crossing topped the list, recording a median value increase of 116.8% over the last five years. Toorak came in second with an increase of 112.4%, and Hawthorn reported growth of 91.1%. Altona rounds up the metropolitan offerings coming in at sixth, with a median value increase of 71.7%.

The remaining suburbs are Seaford which came in third with growth of 97.1%, and Carrum Downs next at 94.4%. Hampton Park came seventh with a median value increase of 71%, followed by Mount Evelyn in the outer east recording 71%, Craigieburn at 66.7% and Mornington at 66.3%.

“We’ve actually had a revaluing of seaside property in this city - particularly beyond the traditional heartland of Port Melbourne through to Brighton” said Mr Salt.

This is supported by REIV figures, which show suburbs including Chelsea and Mt Martha to have increased in value this year by well above the metropolitan average of 4.2%. In the case of Skye in Melbourne’s south-east, median house value increased 34% this year.

History of Carrum Downs
Karrum Karrum
Before European settlers arrived at Port Phillip, Aborigines resting after the stiff climb of Oliver's Hill, Frankston, and looking north along the bay would have viewed a long ribbon of sandy beach shaped vaguely like a boomerang. The area was called Karrum Karrum, or as some of the early squatters interpreted it, Garem Gam, meaning "Boomerang". The swampy marshland behind the sand dunes was a rich hunting ground teeming with wildlife.

Carrum Swamp
The Carrum Swap, also known as the C.D.S.C, measured approximately 15km from north to south, and averaged about 5km across from east to west. It was up to 8km wide at the northern end. The high lands visible in the swamp were the Isles of Wannarkladdin, now Chelsea Heights. The swampland with its dense growth of swamp tea-tree and other vegetation was covered for the most part by the waters from the Dandenong, Eumemmerring, and other smaller creeks, with a total catchment area of approximately 430 km², with the present townships of Langwarrin, Cranbourne, Berwick, Belgrave, Ferntree Gully, Olinda, Lilydale, Croydon and Ringwood forming its perimeter. Some of the waters eventually flowed through marshy country to the Mordialloc Creek or through to the Kananook Creek which flowed into the bay at Frankston.
The Carrum Swamp together with the larger Koo-Wee-Rup Swamp made a formidable barrier against the early explorers and land seekers in the early days.

The birth of Carrum - allotments on the Long Beach
The first survey of the Carrum swamp was made by T. E. Rawlinson, and completed by 2 January 1866. The only sign of European habitation reported by Rawlinson was a fisherman's cottage occupied by John Watkins and his family near the present Watkins Grove, Aspendale. The survey between the swamp and the sea resulted in Mr Callinan, the State’s assistant surveyor, dividing the area into 18 allotments stretching from the Mordialloc Creek to the present Keast Park, Seaford. The land was referred to as the "Allotments on the Long Beach", the first sales taking place at Semmell McCaul & Co’s Auction Rooms at Collins Street, Melbourne, on 22 December 1865. The upset price was $6 per acre. Most of the land sold went to investors, but some development did take place near the already established fishing village of Mordialloc.
The land sold on the swamp side was bought by Hugh Brown who built his home "Pine Vale" near the site of the Mordialloc High School which was part of his property. He was 40 years a Councillor of the Shire of Dandenong and served as President of the Shire. He was famous for his "Carrum" potatoes which were sent to several States. When Hugh Brown started farming there were still wild cattle roaming the swamplands from the original squatting days of the later 1830s to the 1850s.

The first settlement
During the Great Depression, the Brotherhood of St Laurence built a settlement at Carrum Downs to provide food and shelter to suffering families. After World War II, the suburb was gradually redeveloped as a Village for aged persons.
During the late 1970s and early 1980s, the sub-development of land under the Botany Park housing redevelopment attracted families to the suburb due to its generous land allotments, affordability and proximity to Frankston.

Architecture
The suburb is a mixture of modern low scale dwellings with generous garden frontage and low scale fencing. During the 1990s, a large catchment of land remained as public park space, although this has subsequently been developed into housing.
Housing construction continues in the suburb.

Retail areas
The Carrum Downs Regional Shopping Centre, situated in the centre of Carrum Downs, one of three retail hubs in the suburb.
Carrum Downs is serviced by two shopping precincts, with a third nearing completion. The Carrum Downs Regional Shopping Centre is located on Hall Road in the centre of the suburb and is home to 2 banks, 2 supermarkets, a Post Office, chemist, newsagency plus 40 other shops including a dvd rental store, fast food outlets, restaurants and real estate agents. The Local Village @ Carrum Downs is located on the Dandenong-Frankston Road and comprises of approximately 12 shops including a cafe, bakery, newsagency, salon and pharmacy. Directly opposite the precinct is another small retail / business park. The third shopping precinct was just completed in July 2008, is located on McCormicks Road in the South of the suburb and will include a supermarket and around 20 other shops. You can see photos of the shopping areas in the Carrum Downs Photo Gallery at the bottom of the page.

Schools in Carrum Downs
There are four preschools in Carrum Downs at Botany Park, Bowerbird, Rowellyn and William Road.
Primary school education is provided at Carrum Downs Primary, Rowellyn Park Primary, Skye, St Joachim's primary (a catholic faith school) and Flinders Christian College (a non-denominational Christian school).
Seconday education is provided at Carrum Downs Secondary College and at Flinders Christian College (a non-denominational Christian school).
Tertiary level training can be undertaken at the Monash University Peninsula campus, Institute of TAFE in nearby Frankston. You can see photos of the schools in the Carrum Downs Photo Gallery at the top of the page.

Health Services
Carrum Downs is serviced by three medical centres, two dental clinics, two pharmacies and a physiotherapy clinic. Hospital facilities are provided at nearby Frankston, about 10 minutes away.

Transportation
Rail: The closest rail link is Kananook Station on the Frankston line, which is approximately 5.5km from the centre of Carrum Downs.
Bus: Carrum downs is serviced by four bus routes which are operated by Metlink. The services run to Dandenong, Frankston, Hampton and a route which runs between Syke and Frankston which travels via Kananook, providing a link to the rail network.
Road: Carrum Downs provides easy access to two major arterial roads. To the East of Carrum Downs, the Western Port Highway provides connectivity to Melbourne City in the North (via the South Gippsland Freeway and the Monash Freeway), in a southerly direction, the Western Port Highway leads to the Port of Hastings. To the West of Carrum Downs is the Nepean Highway, which runs south from Melbourne city to Portsea on the Mornington Peninsula, along the eastern shores of Port Phillip Bay. In addition to these two links, in mid 2008, the Eastlink Freeway is due to open. The Eastlink will run from Rutherford Road in Carrum Downs (with travel further south provided by the Frankston Freeway) to Donvale in Melbourne's north east. Eastlink will connect with the Monash Freeway and should reduce travelling time and distance to the City of Melbourne. Development of the EastLink has led to strong commercial and industrial growth in Carrum Downs alongside the route of the EastLink.

Community Services
The Lyrebird Community Centre is located in Carrum Downs. The Carrum Downs Community Centre was established in 1988 and was located in the GK Tucker Village as part of the Brotherhood of St Laurence. The centre consisted of two small cottages: one for child minding activities and the other housing the Centre Manager. In 1994, the Centre amalgamated to become the Lyrebird Community Centre and moved to its current location in Lyrebird Drive. During 2003, the Centre was renovated into a large modern complex.
Carrum Downs offers Library Services via the Carrum Downs Library.
A local branch of the Salvation Army operates within Carrum Downs.
The 1st Carrum Downs Scout Group are based at the Recreation Reserve and run Cub Scouts, Joey Scouts, Scouts and Venturers.

Parks and Reserves
The Rotary Park at Carrum Downs
Carrum Downs has access to three public parks:
Banyan Reserve, which includes a sports oval and a children's playground.
Rotary Park, which includes barbecue facilities and a children's playground.
Sandfield Reserve, which includes a children's playground.
In addition, there are several other wooded reserve areas which the public are allowed to walk through, and many of the housing developments feature public grassed areas and children's play facilities. You can see photos in the Carrum Downs Photo Gallery at the top of the page.

Sport & Fitness
Tennis courts at the Recreation Reserve
AFL: The Skye Bombers play their home games at the Recreation Reserve on Wedge Road.
Angling: The Sands Angling Club have their headquarters at the Recreation Reserve.
Auskick: (A modified version of AFL for 5 - 12 year olds) The Rowellyn Park/Carrum Downs Auskick team plays its games at Banyan Reserve.
Baseball: The Carrum Downs Baseball Club has junior and senior teams and plays its games at the Botany Park Reserve on Quarrion Drive.
Clay Target: The Frankston Clay Target Shooting Club is located on Rossiter Road in Carrum Downs, as is the Victorian Field & Game Association.
Cricket: The Carrum Downs cricket club is based at the Recreation Reserve on Wedge Road.
Driving: A variety of driving traing courses (including defensive driving and motorcycle training) are held at DECA training on Thompson Road.
Gymnasium: There are two fitness centres in Carrum Downs, located on Frankston-Dandenong Rd and a ladies only fitness centre located on Hall Rd.
Paintball: Paintball Carrum Downs is located on Highview Road and features a 50 acre paintball field.
Soccer: Carrum United Soccer Club is currently located outside the area. The Junior team plays at neighbouring Skye at the Recreation Reserve. The Senior team plays at the Italo Australian Club on Frankston-Dandenong Road, Dandenong.
Tennis: Facilities are available at the Carrum Downs Tennis Club at the Recreation Reserve on Wedge Road. There are four acrylic hard courts which replaced the two synthetic grass courts and two asphalt courts in 2006.

Shri Shiva Vishnu Temple
The Shri Shiva Vishnu Temple at Carrum Downs
The Shri Shiva Vishnu Hindu Temple is located in this suburb. This temple is the largest Hindu temple in Victoria. Worship at the temple is centred around Shiva and Vishnu, the presiding deities of two dominant streams in the Hindu ritualistic tradition. The temple attempts to bring the two streams together and provide a synthesis. Many Hindus residing in Melbourne worship there and is most popularly known for holding the annual Hindu festivals of Holi and Diwali.

Trivia
In March 2002, a famous, if unsubstantiated, UFO sighting occurred as a driver was passing through Carrum Downs.
Carrum Downs used to be home to a Paintball field, until the practice was banned in the state of Victoria. The ban was lifted in 2007 and the field has since re-opened.