Love Livin' in Moorabbin VIC 3189: Your Complete Suburb Guide

Meta Description: Moorabbin is a dynamic Bayside suburb offering a blend of residential charm and industrial vitality. Discover its property market, excellent transport links, and family-friendly amenities.

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Median House Price	Distance to CBD	Population
$1.25M	15 km	6,287

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Introduction

Moorabbin, a strategically located suburb in Melbourne's south-east, is defined by its unique blend of residential comfort, commercial enterprise, and exceptional connectivity. Situated approximately 15 kilometres from the Melbourne Central Business District (CBD) [1], Moorabbin falls within the City of Kingston, providing a Bayside lifestyle at a more accessible price point than its immediate coastal neighbours. The suburb presents a distinct duality: quiet, established residential pockets to the west, and a bustling, commercially significant industrial precinct to the east, which includes the Moorabbin Airport and a major retail hub.

The suburb's primary appeal lies in its convenience and accessibility. It is anchored by the Moorabbin railway station on the Frankston line and bordered by major arterial roads like the Nepean Highway and South Road. This infrastructure makes it a strategic choice for professionals commuting to the CBD and for families requiring easy access across Melbourne. Demographically, Moorabbin is a diverse and evolving community. The 2021 Census recorded a population of 6,287 [2], with a median age of 39. The community comprises a mix of established families, young professionals, and new residents drawn by the area's ongoing urban renewal and development. Moorabbin's strong value proposition is further enhanced by excellent local infrastructure, including a major hospital, the DFO shopping centre, and a strong selection of schools, all contributing to a high-quality, convenient lifestyle. This continuous evolution is transforming Moorabbin into a vibrant, well-serviced residential locale, making it increasingly attractive to both owner-occupiers and investors.

Understanding Moorabbin's Property Market

Moorabbin's property market is highly dynamic, reflecting its transitional status and strong demand for well-located housing in Melbourne's south-east. The market features a mix of older, post-war detached houses on generous blocks and a growing number of modern townhouses and units, particularly near transport and commercial hubs. This variety caters to a broad spectrum of buyers, from first-home owners and downsizers to growing families and property investors.

As of late 2025, the median house price in Moorabbin is approximately $1.25 million [3]. This figure positions it as an affordable entry point into the Bayside region, offering strong potential for capital growth. The unit market is considerably more accessible, with a median price of around $765,000 [3]. Price segmentation by bedroom count shows a clear premium for larger family homes: two-bedroom houses typically median at $1.15 million, three-bedroom houses at $1.23 million, and four-bedroom homes reaching up to $1.5 million [4]. These larger homes often result from renovations or new builds on the suburb's older, larger land parcels.

Recent market trends highlight resilience, particularly in the unit segment, which has demonstrated strong annual growth of around 10.85% [5]. Conversely, the house market has experienced a slight correction or slower growth, with some reports indicating a modest annual decline of around 2.91% [5]. This suggests that affordability and low-maintenance living are driving the unit and townhouse market. Days on market (DOM) for houses typically range from 46 to 59 days [6], indicating a balanced market. Auction clearance rates are generally healthy, often sitting between 50-66% for houses [7], a strong indicator of buyer confidence. The future outlook remains positive, underpinned by Moorabbin's strategic location, ongoing infrastructure investment, and the continued gentrification of its residential areas.

What Makes Moorabbin Special: Lifestyle and Amenities

Moorabbin offers a comprehensive lifestyle, successfully balancing urban convenience with access to green spaces and a vibrant local scene. The suburb's amenities are extensive and cater to all demographics.

Shopping and Retail: The suburb's retail landscape is dominated by the DFO Moorabbin, a major direct factory outlet centre. For daily needs, the Moorabbin Activity Centre and the Nepean Highway strip provide supermarkets, specialty stores, and essential services. Furthermore, the massive Southland Shopping Centre is only a short drive away, offering a vast selection of department stores, cinemas, and high-end retail.

Cafes and Dining: Moorabbin's culinary scene is rapidly evolving. Moving past its industrial heritage, the area now boasts a modern cafe culture popular with both the local workforce and residents. Local favourites include The Tradesman Cafe and The Parlor Milkbar & Kitchen, known for their quality coffee and contemporary brunch offerings [8]. The industrial area also conceals several artisanal gems, such as breweries and specialty food producers, adding a unique, local flavour to the dining landscape.

Parks and Recreation: Although not directly coastal, Moorabbin provides excellent access to recreational facilities. Moorabbin Reserve, the historic home of the St Kilda Football Club, is a major landmark and a community sporting hub. Other local parks, including Grange Reserve and Moorabbin Oval, offer playgrounds, walking paths, and open fields. Residents also benefit from the close proximity to the Bayside beaches of Brighton, Hampton, and Sandringham, which are just a short drive away.

Community Facilities: The suburb is well-equipped with essential community infrastructure. The Moorabbin Hospital (part of the Monash Health network) provides critical medical services. The Moorabbin Library and various community centres host programs and events, fostering a strong sense of local community. The industrial precinct also houses numerous specialised services, from fitness centres to large-scale hardware and home improvement stores, making Moorabbin a highly self-sufficient community.

Schools and Education

Moorabbin offers excellent educational options for families:

School Name	Type	Level	Students	Special Features
Moorabbin Primary School	Government	Primary	~350	Established 1875, modernised facilities [9]
St Catherine's Primary School	Catholic	Primary	~200	Strong community focus, located centrally [10]
Bentleigh Secondary College	Government	Secondary	~1,057	Located nearby, strong academic and co-curricular programs [11]
Southmoor Primary School	Government	Primary	~400	Focus on nurturing a strong, respectful culture [12]

The educational landscape in Moorabbin is robust. Moorabbin Primary School is a long-standing institution that has recently benefited from significant upgrades and modernisation, allowing it to accommodate a growing student population [9]. St Catherine's Primary School provides a quality Catholic education option, reinforcing the community's diverse educational choices. For secondary education, while there is no public high school directly within the Moorabbin postcode, residents are zoned to excellent nearby options. Bentleigh Secondary College, located in neighbouring Bentleigh East, is a highly regarded government school known for its strong academic results and extensive co-curricular offerings, serving a large portion of the Moorabbin community [11]. The accessibility of these quality schools, combined with the suburb's family-friendly environment, makes Moorabbin a compelling choice for families prioritising education.

Transport and Connectivity

Moorabbin's transport infrastructure is a key asset, providing seamless connectivity across Melbourne. Its strategic location on major north-south and east-west corridors establishes it as a true transport hub.

Train Services: The suburb is serviced by the Moorabbin Railway Station on the Frankston Line. This offers a direct and efficient commute to the Melbourne CBD, with express services completing the journey in approximately 25-30 minutes. The station functions as a major interchange point, ensuring high frequency and reliability for commuters.

Bus Routes: Moorabbin Station is the central hub for an extensive bus network that services surrounding suburbs and key destinations. Major routes include the 811 and 812, connecting to Dandenong and Brighton, and the 627, which links to Chadstone Shopping Centre and other major retail and employment hubs [13]. This comprehensive network significantly reduces reliance on private vehicles.

Major Roads and Freeway Access: Moorabbin is bordered by two of Melbourne's most critical arterial roads: the Nepean Highway and South Road. The Nepean Highway provides a direct route north to the CBD and south towards the Mornington Peninsula. South Road offers a vital east-west link, connecting to the Monash Freeway (M1) and the Dingley Bypass. This excellent road network is a major drawcard for residents working in the south-east's commercial precincts or requiring frequent travel across the city.

Commute Times and Parking: The peak-hour commute to the CBD by car can take between 35 to 50 minutes. The train remains the most reliable option for a predictable commute. Parking in residential areas is generally ample, though parking around the Moorabbin Activity Centre and the DFO can be busy, reflecting the area's commercial activity.

Pros and Cons: Making an Informed Decision

Moorabbin offers a compelling mix of advantages and challenges that prospective residents and investors should consider.

The Advantages

• ▸Exceptional Connectivity and Transport Hub: Moorabbin Station (Frankston Line) and the intersection of Nepean Highway/South Road provide unparalleled access to the CBD, Bayside beaches, and the wider south-east employment corridor, making it highly convenient for commuters.
• ▸Affordability and Value Proposition: Compared to neighbours like Bentleigh and Hampton, Moorabbin offers a significantly lower median house price, providing an accessible entry point into a desirable region with strong potential for future capital growth.
• ▸Comprehensive Amenities and Retail: The presence of the DFO Moorabbin, major hardware stores, and the nearby Southland Shopping Centre ensures residents have access to a vast array of retail, dining, and essential services, contributing to a high level of self-sufficiency.
• ▸Strong Investment in Infrastructure: Ongoing government and private investment in the Moorabbin Activity Centre is leading to new residential developments, improved public spaces, and enhanced community facilities, signalling a positive long-term outlook for liveability and property values.
• ▸Dual-Use Zoning and Employment Opportunities: The large industrial and commercial precinct provides a significant local employment base, allowing many residents to live and work in the same area, which drastically reduces commute times and supports a stable local economy.

The Challenges

• ▸Industrial Presence and Noise: The eastern side of the suburb is dominated by a large industrial area and Moorabbin Airport. This can result in increased truck traffic, industrial noise, and a less residential aesthetic in certain pockets, which may deter some buyers.
• ▸Traffic Congestion on Arterial Roads: The Nepean Highway and South Road, while vital for connectivity, are prone to heavy traffic congestion during peak hours. This can make local travel slow and frustrating for residents who rely on these roads.
• ▸Lack of Direct Secondary School: While Moorabbin is zoned to excellent nearby secondary schools like Bentleigh Secondary College, the absence of a public high school within the 3189 postcode itself means a slightly longer commute for older students, a key consideration for some families.
• ▸Varied Streetscape Quality: The suburb's transitional nature means the streetscape can be inconsistent, with modern townhouses and renovated homes sitting alongside older properties and industrial sites. This lack of uniform aesthetic can be a turn-off for buyers seeking a consistently high-end residential feel.

Investment Potential

Moorabbin presents a compelling case for property investors, driven by its strategic location, strong rental demand, and ongoing urban renewal.

Historical Growth and Outlook: While short-term house price growth has been modest, the long-term outlook is strong, driven by the ripple effect from more expensive Bayside suburbs. The unit market, in particular, has shown robust growth, indicating strong demand for affordable, low-maintenance housing. Future growth is expected to be fuelled by the continued transformation of the Moorabbin Activity Centre into a mixed-use hub, attracting more residents and businesses.

Rental Yields and Demand: Rental demand is consistently high, supported by excellent transport links and proximity to major employment centres. Median rental yields are competitive, with units offering particularly strong returns, often exceeding 4.3% [14]. The median rent for a house is approximately $750 per week, and for a unit, it is around $564 per week [14]. This strong rental performance provides investors with a reliable income stream.

Future Infrastructure and Development: Key investment drivers include the ongoing development of the Moorabbin Activity Centre, which will enhance public transport, community facilities, and local amenity. The suburb's industrial area provides economic stability and employment, underpinning the local housing market. Investors should target properties in the quieter residential pockets to the west or modern, low-maintenance units near the train station to maximise both capital growth and rental appeal.

Final Verdict: Is Moorabbin Right for You?

Moorabbin is a suburb of immense practicality and potential, making it an ideal choice for a specific segment of the Melbourne market. It is perfectly suited for young professionals and families who prioritise exceptional transport connectivity and access to comprehensive amenities over a purely coastal or high-end residential address. The suburb's value proposition is its greatest strength: it offers a Bayside postcode lifestyle at a more affordable price point, with the added benefit of a major train station and arterial road access right on its doorstep.

The ideal Moorabbin resident is someone who appreciates the convenience of having the DFO, major retail, and a train station within easy reach. It is also an excellent choice for savvy investors looking for strong rental yields and long-term capital growth potential driven by urban renewal and the ripple effect from neighbouring, more expensive suburbs. While the industrial presence and peak-hour traffic are factors to weigh, the overall benefits of Moorabbin's infrastructure, affordability, and evolving community spirit make it a highly recommended and strategic place to live or invest in Melbourne's south-east.

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References

[1] Moorabbin, Victoria - Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moorabbin,_Victoria [2] 2021 Moorabbin, Census All persons QuickStats - Australian Bureau of Statistics: https://abs.gov.au/census/find-census-data/quickstats/2021/SAL21746 [3] Moorabbin Property Market, House Prices, Investment Data - realestate.com.au: https://www.realestate.com.au/vic/moorabbin-3189/ [4] Moorabbin Suburb Profile and Property market - property.com.au: https://www.property.com.au/vic/moorabbin-3189/ [5] Moorabbin, VIC 3189: Suburb Profile & Property Report - YIP: https://www.yourinvestmentpropertymag.com.au/top-suburbs/vic/3189-moorabbin [6] Moorabbin House Prices & Property Trends - propertyvalue.com.au: https://www.propertyvalue.com.au/suburb/moorabbin-3189-vic [7] Moorabbin VIC 3189 - Suburb Profile - Domain.com.au: https://www.domain.com.au/suburb-profile/moorabbin-vic-3189 [8] THE 10 BEST Cafés in Moorabbin - Tripadvisor: https://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurants-g2020520-c8-Moorabbin_Kingston_Greater_Melbourne_Victoria.html [9] Moorabbin Primary School - vic.gov.au: https://www.vic.gov.au/moorabbin-primary-school [10] St Catherine's Moorabbin: Home: https://www.scmoorabbin.catholic.edu.au/ [11] Bentleigh Secondary College - clueylearning.com.au: https://clueylearning.com.au/en/schools/vic/bentleigh-secondary-college-bentleigh-east/ [12] Southmoor Primary School – Living for today with tomorrow in mind: https://www.southmoor.vic.edu.au/ [13] Moorabbin Station/Station St - transport.vic.gov.au: https://transport.vic.gov.au/stop/13456/moorabbin-stationstation-st/2/bus [14] MOORABBIN, VIC Property Prices & Market Trends - andreamonti.com.au: https://andreamonti.com.au/suburb-data/moorabbin-vic-3189/