Town snapshot – Clifton Springs

The size of Clifton Springs is about 6.2sqkm and has 12 parks covering nearly 15 per cent of total area.

The population of Clifton Springs in 2016 was 7,523 and by the 2021 Census the population was recorded at 7,646 showing a population growth of 2% in the area during that time.

The demand for property in this Northern Bellarine town has been steadily growing in while the value of real estate has been following suit, seeing over an 32% increase in property prices in the last 5 years.

Bounded by the bay, Drysdale, and the rapidly developing community of Curlewis to the west, Clifton Springs has become a vibrant younger community benefiting from its convenient positioning to Geelong and all the Bellarine has to offer.

Clifton Springs was named after a speculative township between Point Henry and Moolap, laid out in 1849, about midway between Geelong and Clifton Springs.

In 1870 the discovery of mineral springs north of Drysdale (ie at Clifton Springs) was announced, close to the beach below the Bellarine hillsides.

A bottling plant was installed in 1875, and in 1880 a company was formed to develop the site.

A railway from Geelong to Queenscliff, with a station at Drysdale, had opened the year before.

A jetty was constructed in 1890 welcoming passengers from bay steamers.

CoreLogic data indicates that the predominant age group in Clifton Springs is 50-59 years with households in Clifton Springs being primarily young families and retirees who are likely to be repaying on average $1,517 per month on mortgage repayments, and in general, people in Clifton Springs work in a trades occupation.

AGENT PERSPECTIVE:

“Clifton Springs has enjoyed a strong start to the year after building momentum in the last quarter of 2024.

“The entry price points around $500,000 to 700,000 are enjoying some of the best conditions seen since the top of the market in early 2022.

“With rate reductions seeming imminent, buyer confidence should continue to grow resulting in a stronger market over the next 12 months.”

Lee Martin – director, Bellarine Property

TIDBIT:

An elaborate hotel opened in 1888 and burnt down in 1923.

Population: 7,646

Male: 48.7%

Female: 51.3%

Median age: 48

5 year population change: 2%

House median sales price: $672,000

Change in median price: (5yrs) 32%

Median asking rent per week: $480

Average length of ownership: 15 years

Owner occupiers: 81%

Renters: 19%

House median value:

January 2025: $683,500

January 2024: $722,470

January 2023: $720,200

January 2022: $653,200

January 2021: $580,600

House sales per annum:

Period ending January 2025: 140

Period ending January 2024: 136

Land median sale price:

January 2025: $445,000

January 2024: $440,000

Land sales per annum:

Period ending January 2025: 2

Period ending January 2024: 11