Berwick.

Located approximately 41km southeast of Melbourne CBD, Berwick offers a relaxing and family-friendly suburban lifestyle within easy reach of the city. Having started out as a village, Berwick has since been absorbed into the Melbourne suburbs, and is today blessed with an array of excellent amenities including parks, shopping centres, markets, schools and eateries.

Its early origins can still be seen in the town centre, with its village-like streets, historic buildings and manicured gardens. In addition to its many appealing older-style homes, Berwick also offers plenty of contemporary housing as a result of several new developments in and around the suburb.

With an impressive offering of parks and gardens, life is designed to be lived outdoors in Berwick. With so many to choose from, Wilson Botanic Park is a standout with its 39 hectares of gardens, lakes, playgrounds and walking trails. In a nod to the suburb’s past, several parks also offer a historical setting, such as Pioneers Park, located on the site of a 19th century Primary School now converted into a café and function centre, and The Old Cheese Factory, which showcases Australia’s colonial period via its 1860s homestead and gardens spread over 30 acres.

Berwick is similarly spoilt for choice when it comes to markets. Shop for local produce or handmade goods at The Old Cheese Factory’s regular farmers and craft markets, or browse over 350 stalls at the weekly Akoonah Park markets. Akoonah Park also hosts seasonal Friday night markets and is home to the Berwick Show, held annually since 1891.

For an undercover retail fix head to the nearby Westfield Fountain Gate, Victoria's second-largest shopping centre and home to a cinema, eateries, supermarkets and over 440 stores, while all your day-to-day shopping needs are easily covered with a visit to Eden Rise village shopping centre.

In summary, if you’re looking for a highly liveable area that offers a healthy slice of history, a great choice of housing and schools, abundant green space and plenty of retail therapy options, then you can’t go past the delightful Melbourne suburb of Berwick.