🔍

Waterways

VIC 3195 • Greater Melbourne

2,422
Population (2021)
$156,676
Median Household Income
1.70 km²
Area
$623/wk
Median Rent
Master-PlannedEco-FriendlyWaterfront LivingWildlife SanctuaryPremium

About Waterways

Waterways is a unique master-planned suburb in Melbourne's south-east, 25 kilometres from the CBD in the City of Kingston. Established in 2000, this purpose-built community of around 2,400 residents is Australia's only suburb that's 20% parkland and 40% water. Created around the wetlands of Mordialloc Creek, it features interconnected lakes, lagoons and a 46-hectare wildlife sanctuary, giving the suburb its distinctive character.

Living in Waterways means embracing a nature-focused lifestyle within metropolitan Melbourne. Strict planning controls protect the environmental corridor between Braeside Park and Edithvale Wetlands - even domestic cats are forbidden to protect the 105+ bird species documented in the area. Residents enjoy lakeside living, boardwalks through wetlands, and recreational boating on Waterways Lake. The suburb attracts families and professionals seeking a premium, eco-conscious lifestyle close to beaches and the Mornington Peninsula.

Waterways falls under postcode 3195 and is governed by Kingston Council (LGA). For state elections, residents vote in the Mordialloc (South-Eastern Metropolitan) electorate.

📰 Featured In

💰 Top 50 Suburbs in Victoria by Median Household Income

📍 Location

State
Victoria
Postcode
3195
Urban Area
Chelsea
LGA / Council
Kingston
Federal Electorate
Isaacs
State Electorate
Mordialloc (South-Eastern Metropolitan)
Type
Major Urban
Timezone
Melbourne (UTC+10)
Coordinates
-38.02°, 145.13°
Statistical Area
Greater Melbourne
Area
1.70 km²
Elevation
4m

🏷️ Property Prices June quarter 2025

Median sale prices in Waterways for the June quarter 2025. Median sale prices published by the Valuer-General Victoria.

🏡House
$1.64M
11 sales · ▲ 3.9% YoY

Source: Valuer-General Victoria — Victorian Property Sales Report. Medians are for the latest quarter; the change shown is the official 12-month movement. Suburbs with very few sales in a quarter can be volatile.

🏠 Housing 2021 Census

Median Rent (weekly)
$623
Median Mortgage (monthly)
$2,500
Avg Household Size
3.3 people
Median Age
41 years

🚌 Transport & Commute

Nearest Train Stations

Patterson
3.5 km
45 min
Mordialloc
4.2 km
55 min
Aspendale
4 km
50 min

Bus Services

  • 708, 709 — Mentone / Keysborough / Dandenong 20-40 min
  • 902 — Chelsea / Rowville (SmartBus) 15-45 min

Commute to Melbourne CBD

Distance
25 km
By Train
45-55 min (bus to Patterson + train)
By Bus
55-70 min via SmartBus connections
By Car (Peak)
45-70 min
By Car (Off-Peak)
30-40 min

🛣️ Mornington Peninsula Freeway provides quick access south; EastLink for eastern suburbs access

Walkability Car-Dependent

Most errands require a car; excellent walking/cycling within the estate along lakeside paths and boardwalks

🛒 Supermarkets Nearby

No major supermarkets listed for this suburb.

🎓 Schools

🚔 Crime Statistics LGA-wide

These are the latest rates for the Kingston Local Government Area, which contains Waterways. Rates are per 100,000 residents for the year ending September 2025; trends compare 2 and 10 year periods.

Break & enter (dwelling)
272.4 / 100k
2yr Down 20.8% 10yr Down 23.9%
Motor vehicle theft
324.8 / 100k
2yr Up 97.7% 10yr Up 38.4%
Non-FV assault
230.7 / 100k
2yr Stable 10yr Up 33.3%
Robbery (unarmed)
3.6 / 100k
2yr Down 26.8% 10yr Up 13.7%
Steal from vehicle
1,004.9 / 100k
2yr Up 29.3% 10yr Up 14.7%
View all offence subgroups for Kingston →

Source: Crime Statistics Agency Victoria

🎓 Educational Institution Attending 2021 Census

School Sector Breakdown

👥 Demographics

Census 2016
2,461
Census 2021
2,422
▼ 1.6% decline

Population Growth

Gender Distribution (Census 2021)

Personal Income 2016
$42,536
Personal Income 2021
$49,920
▲ 17.4% increase

2021 Census income breakdown

Personal = median for one earner. Household = all members of a dwelling pooled. Family = related members only. Annual = weekly × 52.

Personal
$49,920 / yr
$960/wk
Household
$156,676 / yr
$3013/wk
Family
$155,740 / yr
$2995/wk

Personal Income Comparison (2016 vs 2021)

📊 Population: ABS Census 2021
💰 Income: ABS Census 2021

🌍 Country of Birth 2021 Census

Born in Australia 1,318
Born Overseas 1,064

Top Countries of Birth (excl. Australia)

  • 1. China 154
  • 2. India 136
  • 3. Vietnam 116
  • 4. England 79
  • 5. Cambodia 76
  • 6. South Africa 62
  • 7. Sri Lanka 51
  • 8. Turkey 22
  • 9. New Zealand 20
  • 10. Philippines 20

🧬 Ancestry 2021 Census

Top ancestries reported (people may report up to two)

English 479
Chinese 437
Australian 422
Indian 181
Scottish 146
Vietnamese 137
Irish 131
Italian 101
Greek 97
German 68

👨‍👩‍👧 Parents' Birthplace 2021 Census

566
Both parents born in Australia
1,593
Both parents born overseas
220
One parent AU, one overseas

🛐 Religion 2021 Census

Christianity
42.5%
No Religion
32.6%
Buddhism
11.4%
Hinduism
5.3%
Islam
2.6%
Sikhism
1.0%
Judaism
0.4%

📊 Age Distribution 2021 Census

0-4 years
103 (4.3%)
5-14 years
367 (15.2%)
15-19 years
204 (8.4%)
20-24 years
196 (8.1%)
25-34 years
187 (7.7%)
35-44 years
303 (12.5%)
45-54 years
501 (20.7%)
55-64 years
286 (11.8%)
65-74 years
195 (8.1%)
75-84 years
66 (2.7%)
85+ years
10 (0.4%)

Nearby Suburbs

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Waterways known for? +

Waterways is known for its unique master-planned design featuring a central lake system and extensive wetlands integrated throughout the suburb. It is designed around water features and parklands, providing an unusual environment compared to typical Melbourne suburbs.

How far is Waterways from Melbourne CBD? +

Waterways is approximately 25 kilometres south-east of Melbourne CBD, around a 30-40 minute drive. Waterways station on the Frankston Line is within the suburb.

Does Waterways have public transport? +

Waterways station on the Frankston Line provides regular train services to Melbourne CBD in approximately 40-50 minutes.

What is the population of Waterways? +

According to the 2021 Census, Waterways has a population of approximately 2,422 residents, a growing community in its distinctive wetlands setting.

Is Waterways a good place to live? +

Waterways offers a unique lakeside lifestyle in Melbourne's south-east with Frankston Line train access, excellent wetlands for birdwatching and walking, and proximity to the Edithvale-Seaford wetlands. It suits families and nature lovers who appreciate water-centric environments.

What is the postcode for Waterways? +

The postcode for Waterways is 3195.

What is the average income in Waterways? +

Based on the 2021 Census, the median personal income in Waterways is about $960 per week (around $49,900 per year). The median household income is $3,013 per week and the median family income is $2,995 per week.

What is the median house price in Waterways? +

As of June quarter 2025, the median house price is $1,635,000, up 3.9% year-on-year. Figures are based on Valuer-General Victoria — Victorian Property Sales Report.

What is the age profile of Waterways? +

The median age in Waterways is 41. The largest age group is 45–54 (501 residents, around 21%). Around 28% of residents are under 20 and about 11% are aged 65 or older. (2021 Census)

Is Waterways a safe area? +

Crime statistics are recorded at the Local Government Area level. Waterways is part of the Kingston LGA — see the Crime Statistics section on this page for the latest recorded offence rates per 100,000 residents, along with 2-year and 10-year trends.

How much is rent in Waterways? +

In Waterways, the median weekly rent is $623, and the median monthly mortgage repayment is $2,500 (2021 Census).