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Originally part of the Mount Eagle Estate, Eaglemont is situated between Ivanhoe East and Heidelberg. The area holds notable cultural and architectural significance, particularly for its association with the Heidelberg School of Australian Impressionism. In the late 1880s, artists such as Arthur Streeton, Tom Roberts, and Charles Conder painted while living at a camp on the Mount Eagle hillside. Streeton's Golden Summer, Eaglemont (1889) was painted here.
In 1915–16, American architects Walter Burley Griffin and Marion Mahony Griffin designed both the Mount Eagle and Glenard Estates using Garden Suburb principles, including curved streets, native planting, and internal parklands. Their urban design remains largely intact and is protected under local heritage overlays.
Eaglemont is within walking distance of private schools, the Yarra River, parks, and four nearby shopping precincts: Eaglemont Village, Ivanhoe Village, Ivanhoe East Village, and the Burgundy Street retail strip in Heidelberg. It also borders Yarra Bend Park and includes access to the Yarra Bend public golf course.
Eaglemont remains tightly held, with few properties up for sale.
Geography
Eaglemont covers an area of approximately 1.9 km², and lies at an elevation averaging 53 metres above sea level.
Topographically, Eaglemont includes elevated ridges and hilltops, particularly around the Mount Eagle Estate, which afford views over adjacent suburbs and towards the city. Soil and vegetation are typical of Melbourne’s inner-northeastern hillside suburbs, with many trees, mature gardens, and lot sizes that allow for substantial greenery.
The suburb is bordered by Heidelberg to the north, Ivanhoe to the west and south-west, Ivanhoe East to the south, and Kew East and Bulleen to the east. Major roads demarcate many of these borders.
Nearby natural features include the Yarra River and the Yarra Flats Park to the south-east, which provide recreation, vegetation corridors, and contribute to the suburb’s leafy character.
Eaglemont is part of Banyule City Council's South Precinct and sits between two important local centres: the Ivanhoe Major Activity Centre and the Ivanhoe East Neighbourhood Activity Centre. The suburb benefits from access to regional open spaces, established community infrastructure, and active transport routes connecting to nearby rail, bus, and bicycle networks.
A historic walking trail called the "Eaglemont Historic Homestead Walk" allows residents and visitors to explore the suburb's heritage-listed houses and early architectural styles set within its bushland environment.
Demography
At the 2021 census, Eaglemont recorded a population of 3,960 people. The median age of residents was 46 years, which is higher than the national median of 38, reflecting the suburb’s appeal to more established households. Children aged 0–14 years made up 16.4% of the population, while 22.5% were aged 65 years and over.
The vast majority of dwellings were separate houses (94.5%), with 80.4% of homes owner-occupied, underlining the suburb's low density and long-term residential character. The average household size was 2.7 people, and the median weekly household income was $2,866—significantly above the state average.
The majority of residents were Australian-born (75.0%), with other common countries of birth including England (3.6%), Italy (2.8%), China (2.1%), India (1.4%), and Malaysia (1.3%).
English was the only language spoken at home by 77.7% of residents. Other languages spoken at home included Italian (4.7%), Greek (3.2%), Mandarin (2.9%), Cantonese (1.3%), and Arabic (0.9%).
The suburb is notable for a high proportion of professionals and medical specialists, many of whom are drawn to Eaglemont’s proximity to the Austin Hospital and its leafy residential environment. The median monthly mortgage repayment was $3,073, indicative of its status as a high-value real estate area.
History
The name “Eaglemont” is believed to derive from “Mount Eagle,” a Crown Grant property acquired in 1838 by Thomas Walker, originally part of the area that later became Eaglemont.
Two properties were built in the area in the 1840s; "Leighton" was built by the Bolden brothers, while "Hartlands" was built by novelist S.J. Browne. "Hartlands" was located on the elevated region known as Mount Eagle and was subdivided in 1853. The area remained agricultural, apart from a large house and gardens, named "Mount Eagle", built in the late 1850s by parliamentarian J.H. Brooke.
During the land boom of the 1880s,
In 1915 Walter Burley Griffin and Marion Mahony Griffin were commissioned to design a subdivision in the Mount Eagle Estate.
The Griffin-planned subdivisions set the stage for the later development of the Ivanhoe Views Estate, a precinct south of Mount Eagle that emerged in the interwar period (c. 1920–1940). Located adjacent to the Eaglemont railway station and shopping centre, the estate is recognised for its garden suburb character, featuring a consistent streetscape of single-storey homes in the English Domestic Revival, Spanish Mission, and Californian Bungalow styles. Ivanhoe Views Estate is now included in the Victorian Heritage Database for its cultural and aesthetic significance, with original low front fences, mature gardens, and intact architectural detailing throughout.
Eaglemont Post Office opened on 14 October 1929, three and a half years after the opening of the railway station in May 1926.
Heritage and architecture
Eaglemont is architecturally significant for its early garden suburb planning, Arts and Crafts design principles, and intact housing stock from the early 20th century.
The suburb includes three notable residential subdivisions that reflect different phases in the development of suburban design in Australia: the Mount Eagle Estate (1915), Glenard Estate (1916), and Ivanhoe Views Estate (1920–1940).
Mount Eagle and Glenard Estates
The Mount Eagle and Glenard estates were both planned by architects Walter Burley Griffin and Marion Mahony Griffin. Their design approach featured curved street layouts following the land’s topography, integration of communal green spaces, and open front gardens without high fences, in keeping with the garden suburb philosophy.
The Mount Eagle Estate includes several Arts and Crafts-style dwellings set among mature gardens. Mount Eagle Road is a key example of the estate's character, noted for its elevated sites, canopy trees, and visual cohesion.
The Glenard Estate, adjacent to Mount Eagle, also incorporates curvilinear streets and native landscaping. Many homes retain features such as knitlock brickwork, timber porches, and detailing characteristic of the Griffin and Lippincott influence. Glenard Drive is the principal street of the estate. The Griffins themselves lived at 23 Glenard Drive in a small knitlock house named Pholiota, located next to the home of fellow architect Roy Lippincott.
Ivanhoe Views Estate
South of the Griffin-planned areas lies the Ivanhoe Views Estate, developed primarily during the interwar period. This precinct features detached houses in styles such as English Domestic Revival, Spanish Mission, and Californian Bungalow. Key streets retain low front fences, mature gardens, and consistent architectural detailing including hipped terracotta roofs and clinker brick façades.
Charlton Road is a particularly intact example from the estate, recognised for its elevated garden settings, architectural cohesion, and high streetscape integrity. It's location near the estate’s high point offers sweeping views and well-preserved examples of the Old English revival style. The Ivanhoe Views Estate is listed on the Victorian Heritage Database for its cultural and aesthetic significance, and for demonstrating the suburban ideals of the interwar period.
Transport
Eaglemont is served by the Hurstbridge railway line, with Eaglemont railway station located on Sherwood Road. The station, which opened on 1 May 1926, is unstaffed and unmodernised. It offers parking and bicycle facilities, but has no toilets, no lifts, and no customer service booth.
Eaglemont also has access to several key road corridors. Lower Heidelberg Road runs along its southern boundary, providing access westward to Heidelberg and eastward to Ivanhoe East and Bulleen. Banksia Street and Burgundy Street offer connections to the Eastern Freeway and Bell Street arterial corridors.
The suburb features several walking and cycling routes. The Main Yarra Trail passes through nearby Yarra Flats Park and connects Eaglemont to the city and outer northeastern suburbs via a dedicated shared path. Other informal paths follow the Darebin Creek and parklands, promoting active transport and recreation.
While Eaglemont has no local bus routes connecting the Eaglemont Railway Station, nearby stops on Burke Road, Lower Heidelberg Road, and Burgundy Street provide services linking Heidelberg, Ivanhoe, Doncaster, and surrounding suburbs.
Education
Eaglemont residents have access to several primary, secondary, independent, and Catholic schools in the surrounding suburbs. Exact school zone eligibility depends on the address; families are encouraged to use the Victorian Government’s “Find My School” tool to confirm.
Nearby government primary schools include Ivanhoe Primary School, which has a long history in the area.
For secondary education, Viewbank College (Years 7–12) and Thornbury High School are among the government schools zoned to sections of Eaglemont.
Independent schools frequently chosen by local families include Ivanhoe Girls’ Grammar School and Ivanhoe Grammar School.
Catholic schools in close proximity include:
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Our Lady of Mercy College, Heidelberg – a secondary school for girls (Years 7–12).
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Mary Immaculate Primary School, Ivanhoe – primary school.
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St Bernadette’s Catholic Primary School, Ivanhoe West – primary school.
Catchment boundaries vary and change over time; this section does not imply that every part of Eaglemont is zoned for all listed schools.
Amenities
Shopping and Dining
Eaglemont Village, located on Silverdale Road adjacent to the Eaglemont railway station, is a heritage‑retail precinct featuring around 25 independently owned shops. These include specialty stores, cafés, wine and gift shops, hair and beauty salons, a post office, and other local services. The Eaglemont Village shopping precinct has been a focal point of local life since the mid-20th century. Some commercial buildings in the precinct date back to 1927–28, contributing to its distinctive architectural character.
Larger retail centres are located within a 10–15 minute walk in nearby Ivanhoe, Ivanhoe East, and Heidelberg. The Ivanhoe Shopping Centre on Upper Heidelberg Road offers supermarkets, fashion boutiques, bookstores, and a wide range of cafés and restaurants. East Ivanhoe Village, located along Lower Heidelberg Road, features an eclectic mix of eateries, cafés, specialty retailers, and professional services.
Parks and Recreation
Eaglemont is known for its tree-lined streets, gardens, and walking paths. The suburb borders the extensive Yarra Trail network, providing access for walking and cycling along the Yarra River corridor.
Nearby parks include Albert Jones Reserve and Chelsworth Park, which feature playgrounds, sports ovals, and access to the Darebin Creek Trail. Sports clubs and facilities, such as the Ivanhoe Golf Course and Ivanhoe Park Croquet Club, are located in adjacent suburbs and are popular with residents.
Medical Services
Eaglemont is situated close to several medical centres and hospitals. Heidelberg’s Austin Hospital is a major tertiary teaching hospital offering emergency services, specialist care, and research facilities. The adjoining Olivia Newton-John Cancer Wellness & Research Centre is a comprehensive cancer treatment and research facility.
Ivanhoe Medical Clinic and East Ivanhoe Medical Clinic offer general practice services, including some bulk billing appointments.
Libraries and Community Facilities
Eaglemont does not have its own public library, but residents can access nearby branches of the Yarra Plenty Regional Library network. The closest libraries are the Ivanhoe Library and Cultural Hub and the Rosanna Library. These libraries offer a wide range of services including book lending, children’s programs, digital resources, public computer access, printing and scanning, and community meeting rooms.
The Ivanhoe Library and Cultural Hub, located a short distance away, also functions as a venue for arts programs, exhibitions, author talks, film screenings, and civic events. It includes spaces for creative workshops, rehearsal rooms, and a theatre-style performance space.
Community and Culture
Local residents are active in maintaining and enjoying public green spaces. Friends of Eaglemont Village, for instance, coordinate regular working bees, nature walks, and restoration projects in parks and reserve areas such as at Ivanhoe Park and in community garden initiatives.
There are regular community‑driven events, including walking tours, social meetups (such as “Meet Up and Make It”), and “Fairy Garden” activities for families. Such events contribute to Eaglemont's reputation for a strong local community feel.
Places of Worship
While Eaglemont itself is primarily residential and does not host large religious institutions within its boundaries, several places of worship are located in the surrounding suburbs and are accessible to residents. These include:
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St John's Anglican Church, Heidelberg – A heritage-listed church offering Anglican services, located just north of Eaglemont.
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St George’s Catholic Church, Ivanhoe East – A Catholic parish with regular mass services, located close to the Ivanhoe East shopping strip.
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St Bernadette’s Catholic Church, Heidelberg West – Serving the Catholic community in the region.
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Ivanhoe Uniting Church – A progressive Christian church on Seddon Street in Ivanhoe.
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Heidelberg Presbyterian Church – A small Presbyterian congregation located on Rosanna Road.
For residents of other faiths, additional places of worship including mosques, temples, and synagogues are available in nearby suburbs such as Preston, Box Hill, and Doncaster.
Notable Residents
Eaglemont has long been associated with prominent artists, architects, and designers whose work has significantly shaped Australian cultural and architectural history. The following individuals have confirmed connections to Eaglemont, either through residence, design, or long‑standing association.
Architects and Designers
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Robin Boyd — designed the Stone House (1953) in Eaglemont.
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Harold Desbrowe-Annear — associated with The Eyrie, a house in Eaglemont.
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Marion Mahony Griffin & Walter Burley Griffin — planners and architects who designed the Mount Eagle and Glenard Estates, foundational in Eaglemont’s garden suburb character.
Artists
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Cate Blanchett — born in Ivanhoe, attended school nearby
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Arthur Streeton — painted Golden Summer, Eaglemont (1889), part of the Heidelberg School.
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Tom Roberts — painter of the Heidelberg School.
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Charles Conder — painter associated with early impressionist works in the region.
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Frederick McCubbin — painter, part of the same cultural movement.
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Walter Withers — landscape painter linked with the Heidelberg/Eaglemont art scene.
See also
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City of Heidelberg Eaglemont was previously within this former local government area.
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