Barwon Heads tops Victoria's priciest regional towns

The ever-popular Barwon Heads on the Bellarine Peninsula recorded the highest median house price in regional Victoria, at $835,000 – significantly higher than the metropolitan Melbourne median of $725,000.

It was typified by a five bedroom cottage that sold at $835,000 (below) earlier this year having been listed at $900,000 last November. It last sold at $585,000 in 2009 and in 1999 at $189,500.

A pretty Barwon Heads weatherboard (below) recently sold having been listed with $820,000 hopes.

With a median house price of $780,000, the Ballarat suburb of Lake Wendouree also exceeded the state’s capital.

The suburb has experienced significant price growth of more than 25 per cent over the year, according to the REIV.

High median house prices were also recorded in a number of coastal towns within commuting distance of Melbourne. 

In the 12 months to June 30, Lorne on the Great Ocean Road was also popular with buyers, recording a median house price of $750,000 – more than double the statewide median of $347,000.

Still on the Surf Coast, Anglesea and Torquay also made the list of most expensive towns in regional Victoria, with median house prices of $685,000 and $680,000 respectively. Both locations have experienced double-digit price growth in the past year. 

Nearby Jan Juc was another strong performer with a median house price of $615,000.