Is Grovedale a Good Suburb? Grovedale Property Report 2025
Is Grovedale a good suburb if you’re choosing between Geelong’s south-side options? This 2025 Grovedale property report covers median house prices (around $650,000), growth, schools and real-world travel times so you can see how Grovedale stacks up against Highton, Belmont and Waurn Ponds. If you need a broker right now, see Mortgage Broker Geelong.
Speak with a Geelong broker today
Suburb background — why Grovedale stays popular
Grovedale sits between old Geelong and the newer Waurn Ponds / Armstrong Creek growth line. That means older, wide-frontage streets, some 70s–80s housing, and then newer pockets closer to the Ring Road. Buyers come here because it’s cheaper than Highton or Belmont, still minutes to Waurn Ponds shops and Deakin, and you can commute to Geelong or Melbourne without crawling across town.
For first-home buyers, the pricing bands often line up with VIC concessions. Cross-check your timing and caps in the First Home Buyer Guide so you don’t miss a stamp-duty saving by a few thousand. If you’re comparing buy-to-live with investing first, run the numbers through the rentvesting calculator.
Growth, edges and what to inspect
Older pockets toward Torquay Road and the Surf Coast Highway are closer in, with bigger blocks and renovation potential. Newer areas toward Waurn Ponds blend into the Waurn Ponds catchment, which is why you should also read the Waurn Ponds, Geelong Property Report 2025 — the amenities are shared.
Location, connections and real-world travel times
Geelong CBD: 10–14 minutes in normal traffic.
Waurn Ponds Shopping Centre: 3–6 minutes, which is why Grovedale households don’t feel “out on a limb.”
Deakin Waurn Ponds / Epworth: 6–10 minutes depending on pocket.
Melbourne CBD: about an hour via the M1; you can park-and-ride from Waurn Ponds or Geelong stations for V/Line.
Surf Coast: Grovedale is one of the better jumping-off points if you want Torquay weekends without paying Torquay prices.
Map – Grovedale, Geelong VIC
Interactive map showing Grovedale’s location in relation to Waurn Ponds, Deakin University, Epworth and the Geelong CBD.
Schools and day-to-day amenity
You’ve got Grovedale Primary School, Grovedale West Primary, Clairvaux Catholic School and access to Oberon and Belmont options. Secondary buyers usually look at Grovedale College, Oberon High (Armstrong Creek) and then independent options toward Highton/Newtown. Always re-check zones the week you buy because boundaries move in growth areas.
For a wider view of Geelong education, you can compare options across the city in the Best Schools in Geelong 2025 guide.
Market & housing in 2025
Grovedale keeps a discount to Highton and Belmont, which is what first-home buyers, key workers and early investors want. Houses are commonly in the high $500,000s to mid $600,000s; townhouses/units push down into the low $500,000s. Days on market are short for anything tidy with car space.
“Can I buy in Grovedale?” calculator
Enter your deposit and target price. We’ll estimate the loan, LVR and VIC stamp duty (with the FHB band).
Estimated loan: $560,000
LVR: 86.2%
Indicative VIC stamp duty: $34,000
Indicative only; final pricing requires a full application and lender approval.
Finance, deposits and lender appetite
Because Grovedale sits at friendlier price points, we can often keep LVR at or under 90% even with VIC costs and a small buffer. We still run a rate challenge across 35+ lenders to see who’s actually pricing Geelong right now. If rentvesting ends up cheaper than buying straight away, use the rentvesting calculator first, then circle back for a pre-approval on the purchase you want.
Investors comparing Grovedale with Waurn Ponds should also run their numbers through the property investment calculator — yields can look similar but tenancies and capex differ by pocket.
Nearby suburbs to compare
Most Grovedale buyers are also looking at Belmont (family, slightly dearer), Highton (views, schools, higher price), Newtown (prestige, closer in) and definitely Waurn Ponds (Deakin/Epworth). Comparing a few Geelong suburbs side by side can help you work out which one fits your budget, lifestyle and commute best.
This page is general information only and doesn’t take your personal objectives or financial situation into account. Consider getting personal advice before making decisions.
Grovedale suburb FAQs
Is Grovedale a good suburb?
Grovedale is a popular south-side Geelong suburb for first-home buyers, key workers and early investors who want lower prices than Highton or Newtown but still easy access to Waurn Ponds, Deakin and the Surf Coast.
What is the median house price in Grovedale in 2025?
At the time of writing, Grovedale’s indicative house median sits around $650,000, with most homes selling from the high $500,000s into the mid $600,000s depending on size, street and condition.
Is Grovedale good for first-home buyers?
Yes. Grovedale’s price points are generally below Highton and Newtown and often line up with VIC first-home buyer concessions, but you should confirm current caps and timing before you sign a contract.
Can I commute to Melbourne from Grovedale?
Many residents drive the M1 in about an hour or park at Waurn Ponds or Geelong stations and take V/Line services to Southern Cross, which can be easier than driving every day.
What’s different between Grovedale and Waurn Ponds?
Grovedale is typically a little older and cheaper, while Waurn Ponds has the big shopping centre and sits right on Deakin and Epworth. Buyers often compare both suburbs before deciding which pocket fits their budget and lifestyle.
Can I invest in Grovedale?
Yes. Vacancy is generally low and yields are solid for well-presented homes. It’s sensible to run your numbers through a property investment calculator and then speak with a broker about lenders that shade rent fairly in Geelong.