Town by Town Snapshot: Clifton Springs

The size of Clifton Springs is about 6.2 square kilometres and has 10 parks covering nearly 1.9 per cent of the total area.

The population of Clifton Springs in 2011 was 7,153 people and by the 2016 Census the population was 7,523 showing a population growth of 5.2 per cent 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 a 45 per cent increase in property prices in the last five 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.

An elaborate hotel opened in 1888 which burnt down in 1923, and a jetty was constructed in 1890 welcoming passengers from bay steamers.

CoreLogic data indicates that the predominant age group in Clifton Springs is 60-69 years with households in Clifton Springs being primarily childless couples and are likely to be repaying $1,400 – $1,799 per month on mortgage repayments and, in general, people in Clifton Springs work in a trades occupation.

In 2011, 80.1 per cent of the homes in Clifton Springs were owner occupied compared with 78.7 per cent in 2016.

AGENT PERSPECTIVE:

“We have seen an increase in buyer activity from investors, holidaymakers, first home buyers and locals wanting to secure their piece of Clifton Springs.

“The median house price in Clifton Springs is now $520,000, seeing approximately 15 per cent growth in the past two years.

“The main rule in investing in property – follow the money! Private and public money is being spent heavily on the Northern Bellarine, with the Drysdale Bypass, Port Phillip Ferry and $15.6 million funding for Clifton Springs Primary School upgrade.

“We are enjoying high levels of seller and buyer activity in the 3222 market, with a huge focus on Clifton Springs.

“This is translating into a demographical change in Clifton Springs from a typical retiree buyer into younger families.

“It is an exciting time for our marke

t, and those who have invested in Clifton Springs or are planning on doing so are in the box seat to see further growth in their assets.”Daniel Lamanna – director, Stockdale & Leggo Drysdale

TIDBIT:

In 1959 developers, Willmore and Randell, acquired 1300 acres with a two-mile frontage to Corio Bay, including the old hotel which was remodelled as a golf clubhouse. In 1977 the Bellarine Shire Council purchased the golf course, sports facilities and clubhouse from Willmore and Randell.

Population: 7,975

Male: 48.2%

Female: 51.8%

Median age: 46

5 year population change: 5.2%

Median house price: $520,000

Change in Median Price: (5yrs) is 45%

Median asking rent per week: $385

Average length of ownership: 13 years

Owner occupiers: 81%

Renters: 19%

 

Historic median house price:

October 2020: $520,000

October 2019: $485,000

October 2018: $465,000

October 2017: $405,000

October 2016: $360,000

 

House sales per annum:

Period ending October 2020: 159

Period ending October 2019: 157

 

Land median sale price:

October 2020: $285,000

October 2019: $280,000

 

Land sales per annum:

Period ending October 2020: 37

Period ending October 2019: 25