Bacchus Marsh is right in the middle. Equidistant and less than an hour drive from the larger and better known Victorian cities of Ballarat, Geelong and Melbourne, more and more people are identifying this once small and quiet town as a perfectly convenient place to be.
Initially established as a sheep station in the 1830s, Bacchus Marsh grew steadily as roads, railways, and eventually, the Western Freeway better connected it to civilisation. Its real expansion only began in the 1990s however and has seen a sleepy town known for its market garden produce quickly turn into a small city of over 20,000.
Reflecting its location, modern-day Bacchus Marsh is caught right in the middle, between a tranquil country town and a vibrant metropolis.
It's this dichotomy that makes Bacchus Marsh a tempting opportunity for property buyers, as you can get a generous, country-style house and land package for a great price, but without missing out on city convenience. But to get a sense of whether a Bacchus Marsh house and land package is the right property investment for you, we should first find out a little bit more about the town itself.
Blue-collar and predominantly anglo-saxon, the people of Bacchus Marsh are quintessentially country. Around 80% of the city’s residents were born in Australia, well above the Victorian average of 64.5%. However, as a percentage of Melburnians begin to get priced out of the capital, the city is slowly becoming more multicultural.
The town’s economy is also in transition. The fertile soils of Bacchus Marsh have historically been used to grow the majority of the area’s fruits and vegetables, with the produce industry employing much of the town. The recent rapid growth of the population, however, has been pushed along by Bacchus Marsh’s newfound title as the significant commuter hub on the Ballarat-Melbourne corridor.
Unlike many of the other once-separate regional hubs that surround Melbourne, Bacchus Marsh hasn’t been swallowed up by the Victorian capital just yet. Because of this, it has managed to maintain a personality all its own; this is an authentic rural hub, albeit one that has experienced a little more growth than others.
The residents of Bacchus Marsh don’t want for anything. It’s home to seven schools (five primary and two secondary), a general hospital, public bus service, and an express train that can shuttle commuters into the Melbourne CBD in 38 minutes. The freeway grants easy access to both Melbourne and Ballarat, but with The Village shopping centre offering shopping, dining, and entertainment options, there’s seldom a need to make the trip to a bigger city.
Like many rural communities, Bacchus Marsh is big on sport and recreation. Maddingley Park is a favourite spot for locals to breathe in the fresh country air, as is Nieuwesteeg Heritage Rose Garden, where visitors are treated to a selection of rare and unusual roses. Weekends revolve around sport, with the local football and netball clubs enjoying friendly, if sometimes intense, rivalries.
Finally, the town itself displays all that is good about country Australia - wide streets and open spaces, plentiful greenery, beautiful old buildings and friendly, down to earth locals. All in all, Bacchus Marsh offers up an enviable lifestyle.
The effect of the influx of new residents to Bacchus Marsh is clear to see in the property data. The average house fetched $325,000 in 2012, but by the start of 2020, that figure had grown to almost $500,000.
The good news? Unlike much of Melbourne, Bacchus Marsh hasn’t fallen victim to market volatility. And with more and more people realizing the unique proposition that the town offers its residents, prices aren’t likely to go backward any time soon.
Once you’ve decided where to buy, the focus shifts to what to buy. Cost-effective, brand new, and generously proportioned, Bacchus Marsh house and land packages are a tempting option. Let’s take a look at a couple of the most exciting new developments, and the prices that a new home can be snapped up for:
Underbank is set to become a town within a town. Located on the western edge of Bacchus Marsh, this extensive development will have its own town centre, sporting precinct, and five neighbourhoods separated by creeks and gorgeous greenery. Large plots of between 600 and 700 square metres are the rule rather than the exception. And with townhouse prices starting at less than $350,000, this community represents incredible value.
The Stonehill community in Maddingley, a suburb in the southwest of Bacchus Marsh, promises to be whatever its residents want it to be. Whether you’re looking to live the tranquil country life with a home looking out over nature, or a fun and exciting existence near dining and entertainment options, Stonehill has something for you. Close to the centre of town, it’s a short trip to catch the 38-minute train into Melbourne, while the wealth of green spaces, and a handily located golf course, make the weekends here particularly enjoyable. The best bit? A house and land package can be secured for a touch over $400,000!
An urban town, a city-to-be, a regional hub with a healthy splash of convenience; Bacchus Marsh is all these things and more. And in a house and land package, property buyers have the best and most cost-effective way to enter this enticing market. You get a brand new property, often on a large slab of land, in a cleverly planned community, and all at a fantastic price.
If you’re looking for a property purchase that only appreciates into the future, look no further than a house and land package in Bacchus Marsh.
