Town snapshot – Fyansford

The size of Fyansford is approximately 18.5sqkm with the population of Fyansford in 2016 recorded at 189 and by the 2021 Census the population was 1,206 showing a population increase of 538 per cent in the area during that time.

Fyansford, near the junction of the Moorabool and Barwon Rivers, is steeped in history and is one of the earliest places of settlement in the Geelong region.

For many Western District graziers, it was the first stop, and a place to replenish supplies, on the way to taking wool to market in Geelong and returning with fertiliser.

The area was named after Captain Foster Fyans who came to Geelong as Police magistrate in October 1837 and established his police camp near where the Barwon River could be forded – hence Fyan’s Ford.

In 1843 the Fyanstown (later Swan) Inn was built, and it is on the Register of the National Estate.

Two more hotels, the Fyansford and the Balmoral, were opened in 1854 and still stand, one being the Balmoral Art Gallery.

Patronage of the three hotels was ensured by their being on one of the two routes between Geelong and Ballarat.

A flour mill with a water race from the Barwon River was opened in 1844, and a Catholic school opened in 1849.

In 1854 the ford was superseded by a bridge over the Moorabool River, connecting Geelong with Ballarat and the Western District.

An orphan asylum overlooking Fyansford was opened in 1861, set in a valley mostly occupied by orchards, vineyards and other horticulture.

In the following decade, however, other industry came to Fyansford with a paper mill (1876) and the Geelong Cement Works (1889).

The Barwon Paper Mill used the flour-mill water race near Buckley’s Falls and continued production until 1923.

The Mill’s buildings are on the Victorian Heritage Register.

During the early 1900s, a postcard view of Fyansford across the river was often depicted, showing industry and the bridge.

Much of Fyansford has seen rapid residential growth in recent years as young families see the value in the convenient location near the ring road and set in a picturesque valley.

The predominant age group in Fyansford is 35-39 years with households in Fyansford being primarily young couples and are likely to be repaying on average $2,167 per month on mortgage repayments, and in general, people in Fyansford work in a trades occupation.

AGENT PERSPECTIVE:

“Fyansford a popularity continues to soar with both locally and out of town buyers.

“The proximity to the Pakington Street, the Geelong CBD and seamless access to the Ring Road is appealing to a large number of buyers.

“Family friendly with 2 huge play parks and walking trails, with the added bonus of the Fyansford Hotel and future developments planned, it really is the suburb with it all.”

Michaela Miller – Geelong Real Estate Co

TIDBIT:

The Barwon Paper Mill used the flour-mill water race near Buckley’s Falls and continued production until 1923.

Population: 1,206

Male: 50%

Female: 50%

Median age: 34

5 year population change: 538%

House median sales price: $912,500

Change in median price: (5yrs) 34.7%

Median asking rent per week: $630

Average length of ownership: 6 years

Owner occupiers: 68%

Renters: 32%

House median value:

August 2024: $1,070,500

August 2023: $1,104,500

August 2022: $1,151,700

August 2021: $1,071,170

August 2020: $848,590

House sales per annum:

Period ending August 2024: 26

Period ending August 2023: 24

Land median sale price:

August 2024: $480,000

August 2023: $520,000

Land sales per annum:

Period ending August 2024: 9

Period ending August 2023: 16