Swan River

1,046 votes

Cycling paths, paddle-boarding launches and leafy picnic lawns frame the Swan River as it skirts Melville. Mornings start with rowers slicing the glassy water and end with sunset wines on jetty benches, all just 20 minutes by car or ferry from Perth’s CBD.

2

Murdoch University

918 votes

Western Australia’s original campus-style uni spreads across bushland with cafés, a vet hospital and an emerging tech-innovation precinct. Frequent buses and dedicated bike lanes connect surrounding suburbs, making postgraduate study, public lectures and weekend markets an effortless local perk.

3

Fiona Stanley Hospital

540 votes

This $2-billion tertiary hospital anchors a major health hub with state trauma, maternity and rehabilitation services. Thousands of jobs, on-site childcare and a cafeteria overlooking native gardens bring weekday buzz and strong rental demand for nearby apartments.

4

South Beach

537 votes

Calm turquoise shallows, a dog-friendly northern stretch and heritage pavilion cafés make South Beach Fremantle’s laid-back swim spot. Residents beat city heat in ten minutes, then linger for fish-and-chips or weekend sunset markets on the grassy foreshore.

5

Applecross Senior High School

412 votes

Renowned for gifted-and-talented music and academic extension streams, Applecross SHS pairs river views with modern STEM labs and art studios. Strong ATAR results see catchment homes command a premium from families chasing public-school excellence.

6

Melville Senior High School

356 votes

A new languages centre, aviation program and specialist netball academy keep enrolments climbing at Melville SHS. Upgraded ovals and easy bus links to Fremantle station mean teens can walk, cycle or ride public transport, trimming parent taxi duties.

7

Coogee Beach

340 votes

Shark-net swimming enclosures, an over-water jetty and gentle reef snorkelling cement Coogee’s reputation as a family favourite. A waterfront café and ample parking make dawn swims and after-work dips an easy habit for Melville residents.

8

Kardinya Park Shopping Centre

238 votes

Fresh from a multimillion-dollar facelift, Kardinya Park now hosts dining terraces, medical suites and major supermarkets. Click-and-collect bays shorten errands, while weekend pop-up stalls create a lively village vibe minutes from leafy cul-de-sacs.

9

Port Coogee Marina

234 votes

Boardwalk cafés, boutique grocers and waterfront apartments surround this modern marina. Kayaks launch from sandy coves, and boat owners reach Rottnest in under 30 minutes, making seaside living feel resort-like yet firmly suburban.

10

Murdoch Train Station

232 votes

Sitting atop the Kwinana Freeway, Murdoch Station offers eight-minute rail trips to Perth and one-stop transfers to the airport line. Secure bike cages, bus interchanges and kiss-and-ride zones make multimodal commuting seamless for students and hospital staff.

11

Phoenix Shopping Centre

231 votes

Everyday convenience lives here: supermarkets, discount chemists, library and indoor play centre under one roof. Generous parking and frequent Cockburn-bound buses mean quick lunch-hour dashes or stress-free Saturday grocery runs.

12

Bibra Lake

218 votes

Part of Beeliar Regional Park, Bibra Lake’s 6-kilometre trail attracts joggers, cyclists and nature photographers. Adventure World theme park and a wetlands discovery centre keep kids laughing, while bird hides reveal pelicans and long-neck turtles year-round.

13

Kennedy Baptist College

218 votes

This co-ed private school neighbours Murdoch Uni, sharing sports ovals and specialist science facilities. Strong pastoral care, performing-arts streams and local-mission programs appeal to families seeking values-based secondary education without lengthy school-run drives.

14

Applecross Primary School

193 votes

Established in 1896, this riverside primary couples heritage charm with modern STEM rooms and lush playground lawns. A walk-to-school culture and engaged P&C foster village spirit just 10 minutes from the CBD via Canning Highway buses.

15

Port Coogee

175 votes

Canal-front homes, waterfront boardwalks and a planned neighbourhood village centre define this master-planned coastal estate. Residents enjoy seaside strolls, community events on the lawn and direct cycle paths into Fremantle’s heritage streets.

16

Garden City Shopping Centre

166 votes

Soon to transform into a $750-million lifestyle precinct, Garden City (Westfield Booragoon) already delivers department stores, fresh-food halls and cinema nights. Planned rooftop dining and green plazas promise even more drawcard appeal for Melville shoppers.

17

Bull Creek Train Station

161 votes

Direct lifts from platform to freeway busway make transfers painless, and park-and-ride bays trim CBD commutes to 15 minutes. A pedestrian bridge links to Stockland Bull Creek, so grabbing groceries on the way home is easy.

18

Kardinya Shopping Centre

157 votes

Set for major redevelopment, this neighbourhood mall currently supplies everyday staples plus pharmacies, gyms and fast food. Future plans include alfresco dining and upgraded parking, boosting convenience for surrounding student rentals and family homes.

19

Santa Maria College

156 votes

Overlooking the Swan on Attadale’s foreshore, this Catholic girls’ boarding school combines strong ATAR outcomes with rowing, performing arts and service trips. The leafy campus and river-view ovals add prestige pull to nearby real estate.

20

Manning Park

155 votes

Bibra Lake’s coastal cousin, Manning Park offers limestone ridge hikes, a historic homestead and spring wild-flower displays. Families hold barbecues beside the ornamental lake, while fitness buffs tackle the steep stairs for panoramic Indian-Ocean vistas.

Area Hotlist — Melville WA