The Pines Shopping Centre

612 votes

Anchoring Doncaster East, The Pines packs majors, fresh food, a library and services into one easy loop. Quick errands, kids’ meet-ups and Thursday-night dining happen under one roof, giving nearby homes true 15-minute-neighbourhood convenience that downsizers and busy families alike value highly.

2

EastLink (M3)

548 votes

EastLink’s fast tollway access slices commutes to the CBD, airport and Mornington Peninsula. Entry ramps at Ringwood and Donvale mean residents can be on their way in minutes, a transport edge that keeps executive rentals tight and week-enders keen for beach or winery escapes.

3

Tunstall Square Shopping Village

491 votes

Family-run greengrocers, Asian eateries and old-school butchers give Tunstall Square a welcoming locals-first vibe. Morning coffee turns to evening dumplings without moving the car, and the centre’s Saturday produce market underpins strong “walk-to-everything” appeal for surrounding 1970s brick homes and sleek new townhouses.

4

Ruffey Lake Park

433 votes

Rowing ducks, rolling lawns and two giant adventure playgrounds make Ruffey Lake Park a weekend magnet. Joggers loop the 3-kilometre lake circuit at dawn, while evening food-truck nights foster community buzz. Green views and picnic proximity give adjacent streets a clear lifestyle premium.

5

Mullum Mullum Creek Trail

387 votes

Sealed paths wind 23 kilometres through bushland gullies from Templestowe to Ringwood, linking walkers and cyclists to schools, playgrounds and cafés. Living near the trail means car-free school runs and nature-rich commutes, a healthy-living credential prized by post-pandemic buyers.

6

Warrandyte State Park

352 votes

Gold-rush ruins, Yarra River swimming holes and towering bushland sit only 10 minutes north of The Pines. Locals kayak at dawn, picnic under river gums and still make the office by nine, enjoying a rare bush-meets-metro lifestyle without lengthy drives.

7

Currawong Bush Park

308 votes

This 59-hectare reserve hides kangaroos, koalas and billabong boardwalks behind Doncaster’s suburban edges. Weekend bush-kinder sessions, night spotlight tours and picnic shelters reinforce Manningham’s “green wedge” reputation and boost buyer interest in streets bordering the eucalypt canopy.

8

Yarra Valley Grammar

271 votes

A modern STEM centre, elite rowing program and strong ATARs place Yarra Valley Grammar high on prestige-school shortlists. Dedicated bus routes span the outer east, sustaining rental demand from staff and families eager to secure seamless Prep-to-Year 12 education.

9

Whitefriars College

259 votes

Set on 19 bush-lined hectares, Catholic boys’ school Whitefriars combines high-tech innovation hubs, mountain-bike tracks and strong VCE results. Homes within the transport zone – especially those offering easy bus access – enjoy enduring popularity among education-minded buyers.

10

Luther College

244 votes

Luther’s co-ed campus borders leafy Mullum Creek and boasts performing-arts theatres, agriculture plots and acclaimed sports academies. Reliable charter buses widen enrolment reach, helping maintain tight vacancy rates for family rentals across Donvale and Park Orchards.

11

Doncaster East Secondary College

233 votes

Ahead-of-state Median Study Scores and diverse VCE subject choice make DESC a catchment powerhouse. Saturday auction crowds swell for four-bedroom homes within the zone, reflecting parents’ willingness to pay a premium for public-school excellence and reduced private fees.

12

Serpell Primary School

217 votes

Regularly ranking among Victoria’s top primaries, Serpell features multilingual programs, extensive music tuition and spacious ovals. Walkable school runs and after-care services keep surrounding cul-de-sac properties in hot demand, with many homes selling off-market to eager young families.

13

Eastern Freeway (M3)

201 votes

Joining Doncaster Road at Blackburn, the Eastern Freeway funnels drivers to the CBD in around 25 minutes off-peak. Planned North East Link upgrades promise faster trips and improved busways, adding long-term transport upside for homeowners along the corridor.

14

Aquarena Aquatic & Leisure Centre

192 votes

Two giant water slides, heated indoor pools, a sprawling gym and reformer-pilates studios make Aquarena a year-round fitness magnet. Early-bird lap swimmers and after-school swim squads enliven the precinct, supporting healthy-lifestyle branding for nearby unit developments.

15

The 100 Acres Reserve

176 votes

Hidden in Park Orchards, this remnant bushland offers 5 kilometres of wombat-dug trails and bird-watching platforms. Residents enjoy dawn trail-runs under towering stringybarks, a tranquil perk that underscores the suburb’s coveted semi-rural ambiance within metropolitan boundaries.

16

Domeney Reserve

161 votes

Footy ovals, tennis courts and a modern community centre converge at Domeney Reserve, the heart of Park Orchards’ sporting life. Weekend sausage-sizzles and twilight training foster strong neighbourhood ties, enhancing family appeal of nearby quarter-acre blocks.

17

Donvale Christian College

154 votes

Spread across 35 tranquil hectares, DCC delivers Prep-to-Year 12 continuity, equestrian electives and nature-play-based early learning. School buses reach Warrandyte and Templestowe, bolstering rental demand from teachers and families seeking faith-based education with bushland surrounds.

18

Andersons Creek Primary School

146 votes

Nestled near Warrandyte village, ACPS pairs small-school warmth with contemporary STEM classrooms and expansive play spaces. Parents rave about community spirit; agents rave about quick sales for homes within that leafy, heritage-rich zone.

19

Westfield Doncaster

139 votes

Luxury labels, rooftop dining and a Hoyts cinema make Westfield Doncaster a retail powerhouse only ten minutes down the freeway. Fashion runs or Friday movies are effortless, granting Manningham residents city-style amenity without the traffic headache.

20

Yarra River Parklands

131 votes

Kayak launches, riverside cafés and multi-use trails fringe the Yarra as it winds through Warrandyte and Templestowe. Sunset paddles and weekend dog walks deliver resort-like recreation at the edge of suburbia, a lifestyle signature that keeps buyer demand consistently high.

Area Hotlist — Manningham - East VIC