Table of Contents
Last updated on November 3rd, 2021 at 08:13 am
Mernda is a suburb 27km northeast of the Melbourne CBD, nestled within picturesque green countryside and riverside. Locals describe Mernda as the best of both worlds — nestled in the scenic hilly landscape, but still a stone’s throw from the city and with all the modern amenities — what’s not to love!
While it is still expanding, the Mernda Town Centre’s vision is of a pedestrian-friendly main street, with mixed-use retail and excellent public transport access. The planned parklands and green space make it ideal for those who want to escape the hustle and bustle but stay close to the CBD.
Looking to move to Mernda? We’ve got you covered. In this suburb guide, we’ve tried to answer all of your burning questions about the great suburb of Mernda!
Europeans settled in Mernda in the 1840s, with the land primarily used for dairy farming and other industry along the Plenty River. Now located in the Whittlesea Local Government Area (LGA), the area was originally known as Morang and Yan Yean until 1893. In 1913, the area was renamed Mernda, which means “earth” in the local Woiwurrung Indigenous language of the Wurundjeri willum clan.
Mernda was a rural township joined to the city by a railway line, with only one school, two churches, a few stores and The Bridge Inn Hotel. Interestingly, it also supplied much of the milk for Melbourne.
Farming and industry in the area have decreased, with the population gradually increasing over the years.
The area really began to see development in the early 2000s. One major redevelopment project included reconstructing the old railway line, which reconnected Mernda with the CBD for the first time in almost 60 years.
The suburb of Mernda now consists of many subdivided communities, including Mernda Villages, Mernda Ridge, Berry Lane, Everton Gardens, Settlers Hill, Woodland Waters, Riverdale, Renaissance Rise and Hawkstowe.
Each of these communities has its own unique vibe and suit different segments of the population — but each of them has the same great quality of living.
The railway line link to the Melbourne CBD reopened in late 2018, with 1000 parking spots, facilitating an easy 50-minute commute to the city for work and play. There is also a bus interchange in Mernda, with new bus service routes connecting Mernda to Doreen and South Morang, Whittlesea and Greensborough.
Significant road upgrades are already underway, and travelling to the CBD by car takes around 40 minutes along the M80 and M2.
The ongoing partnership with the State Government and land owners aims to build not only transport but also civic, retail and community infrastructure, which will bring more job choice for the local community.
There are many excellent schools in the area — 11 within a 5km radius of Mernda. So you will be spoilt for choice for schools, with multiple options for Government schools, Catholic and Independent schools across both primary and secondary school age groups. The schools in Mernda are reputable and located with ease of transport.
Mernda is a self-sustained community. Mernda Villages Shopping Centre features a Woolworths supermarket and 10 specialty stores. Mernda Junction Shopping Centre has a Coles supermarket and 15 specialty shops and cafes. Westfield Plenty Valley Shopping Centre is a 10-minute drive away, and Pacific Epping close by.
There are multiple dining options in and around Mernda, including both cafes and restaurants, many of which use fabulous locally sourced seasonal produce.
Some of the crowd favourites to try out for yourself are Two Beans and a Farm and Farm Vigano, both of which are located in the lush green countryside landscape that borders Mernda.
There is also a town post office and medical and affiliated health services within the Mernda town centre. A new community activity centre offers an early learning centre and a mobile library linked to the Yarra Plenty Regional Library.
There is a real mix of demographics in Mernda. Due to the land available and value for money, Mernda is especially appealing to young families — the fastest-growing group in the area. There is a real mix of residential options in Mernda — from apartment living above retail and commercial spaces to terrace houses, full-size family houses and more sprawling estates.
The house blocks are generous in size and well thought out. The local Government has a real focus on making Mernda a walkable (and cyclable) city, with large areas of planned parklands and outdoor space for improved quality of life.
The main recreational area is Plenty Gorge Parklands, which has trails and woodlands bustling with local wildlife. There is also Creek Park, which hosts Mernda Adventure Park, where the flying fox, sandpits and climbing equipment is a hit with the youngsters!
The increasing population has also seen some excellent food and beverage offerings open up in the area, echoing the high-quality foodie scene that Melbourne is so well known for.
The town still retains many heritage features from the 1800s such as Mayfield Farmhouse and the Bridge Inn Hotel, giving it a feeling of history and uniqueness.
There has also been an emphasis on retaining the River Red Gum trees in any new greenspace, to keep with the authenticity of this special place.
Many locals comment that they feel like they’re in the “real Australia,” where they see kangaroos along the railway line en route to work, and within close range of the idyllic Kinglake National Park.
There is a real feeling of community here, a place where you actually know who your neighbours are and feel safe and included in the close-knit circle of everyone lucky enough to call this suburb home.
As a leading home builder in Victoria, ACT and NSW, we offer a range of custom home designs and house and land packages in Mernda and surrounding areas in Melbourne’s north.
We have been awarded the HIA Professional Medium Builder in NSW/ACT for 2018, 2019 and 2020, so you know that you’re in safe hands.
Click here to take a look at some of our current House and Land packages in Melbourne — and chat with one of our friendly sales team today to find out more about your future dream home in Mernda.
Jason was recommended by a friend to build with Achieve Homes! Find out what he had to say about why he chose us to build his forever home.
We built a gorgeous new home in Strathnairn for Daniel & Chyanne’s growing family. Find out why they decided to go with Achieve Homes!
David & Sophie decided to build their family home in Googong with Achieve Homes! Take a look at their lovely new home.
Check out what Kerri had to say about why she chose to build a new home in Googong instead of buying an established home.
Take a look at Danny & Nikki’s brand new Ginninderry home and find out what they had to say about why they built with us.
