Suburb Profile - Essendon

Moonee Valley’s largest and generally most affluent suburb, Essendon spans a sizeable area bordering Brunswick West and Pascoe Vale South to the east, Moonee Ponds to the south, Niddrie to the west, and Strathmore to the north. With its combination of quality housing, excellent recreational facilities, leading education institutions, public transport and array of shopping options, Essendon is the preferred choice for many families and is only 7-10 kilometres from the CBD. Architecturally, the area’s development spans nearly a century from the fine Victorian and Federation homes around Essendon Station / Windy Hill, the classic Californian Bungalows around the Mar Lodge vicinity, through to the 50s and 60s brick-veneers nearer Hoffmans Road. Although exhibiting a vast difference in styles, most Essendon homes have one thing in common – generous land components. Not an exact rule, but the family-friendly streetscapes of Essendon usually contain far bigger blocks than their Moonee Ponds or Ascot Vale counterparts. Specific highlights of Essendon include some of Melbourne’s most renowned private schools including Penleigh and Essendon Grammar, Lowther Hall and St. Columba’s Catholic College. Recreational areas include Woodlands and Buckley Parks. Trams, trains and buses provide excellent public transport options whilst easy access to the Tullamarine Freeway and Citylink allow fast transit to the city or airport. Shops and cafés are also in abundance around Essendon North Village and Essendon Station in particular.