Suburb snapshot – Winchelsea

Suburb Profile:

The size of Winchelsea is approximately 247.5 square kilometres with the population of Winchelsea recorded at 1,944 in 2016 and by the 2021 Census the population was 2,456 showing a population increase of 26% in the area during that time.

Winchelsea has been an outstanding performer in the regional property market with the median house price jumping over 114% in five years, with most of that in the last two years.

The recent prices have surprised many, including those in the industry.

Winch was slow to get going but now people are catching on as this rural community has more to offer than most.

With a train station in town, top notch healthcare, education and sporting facilities along with a swimming pool, bowls and golf clubs, its no wonder this regional hamlet has taken off.

New residential housing estates like The Green, Rivers Edge and newer estates are attracting new arrivals and investors with more estates in the pipeline making Winch a town to watch.

Situated where the Barwon River crosses the highway, the area originally attracted pastoralists in the 1830’s, some of whom later became prominent landholders.

Two years after the settlement of Melbourne, the Austin brothers took up their Barwon Park pastoral run, Thomas Armytage took up his Ingleby run, and Henry Hopkins took up his Wormbete run in the Winchelsea area.

A town was surveyed in the 1850’s, and named Winchelsea, probably after the seaside port in Sussex, England.

More momentous things happened at Austin’s Barwon Park when he imported wild rabbits for acclimatisation in 1859.

They became particularly successful progenitors of some of Australia’s rabbit plagues.

The predominant age group in Winchelsea is 55 – 65 years with households in Winchelsea being primarily childless couples, and more recently, younger families, and are likely to be repaying on average around $1,560 per month on mortgage repayments.

In general, people in Winchelsea work in a trades occupation.

AGENT PERSPECTIVE:

“2022 has again proven the popularity and resilience of the Winchelsea and district markets. Capital growth has continued to date, and rental returns have also increased accordingly. Vacancy rates remain historically low despite the addition of many residential properties in the new estates.

“In all, Winch remains a very affordable and popular destination for those seeking a relaxed country town lifestyle yet within close proximity to major centres, the Surf Coast and the increasingly attractive Otway Ranges.”

Geoff Bennett – McCartney Real Estate – Winchelsea