Connected and convenient: Why Doncaster is a great place to retire
Location plays a big part in enhancing your retirement experience. Living close to essential amenity, transport networks, retail hubs and entertainment destinations allows you to live a connected lifestyle that is filled with opportunities.
Just 16km northeast of Melbourne CBD, Doncaster is recognised as a suburb that combines the best of urban buzz and suburban tranquillity.
Here are the biggest lifestyle benefits you’ll experience when you move to Applewood in Doncaster:
Shopping Galore
For convenient shopping and lifestyle opportunities, Westfield Doncaster is a quick 3-minute drive from Applewood. The shopping centre is also serviced by the #903 bus, which regularly stops just metres from our front gate.
Westfield Doncaster is your one-stop hub for shopping, entertainment and everyday essentials. It houses 430 shops and services including major department stores like Myer and David Jones, an array of dining destinations, supermarkets, Village Cinemas and even medical, dentistry and pharmacy facilities. Whether you’re looking to do some retail therapy, grab a coffee with friends or do the grocery shopping, you can do it all at Westfield Doncaster.
Scenic surrounds
Our village is bursting with natural beauty, featuring sprawling gardens and a village pond. But for the times you want to expand your leafy horizons, there are a range of scenic parks and walking trails close to home.
Applewood offers convenient onsite access to the Koonung Park Trail and Linear Park, which features over 10km of open parkland, bushland, and paths for pedestrians, cyclists and dog walkers.
An 8-minute drive from home, you can enjoy the versatility of Ruffey Lake Park, with BBQ facilities, playgrounds, walking trails, off-lead and on-lead dog zones, sheltered picnic areas and outdoor exercise equipment for the whole family.
Coffee and dinner dates
As well as the generous array of café and dining opportunities at Westfield Doncaster, the surrounding area is dotted with great eateries, takeaways and coffee spots.
Located on Doncaster Road, just a 4-minute drive from our front gates, Pacino’s Restaurant is a local favourite for Italian dine-in and takeaway. A few doors down, the hawker-style restaurant, Penang Flavours, serves up a range of delicious Malaysian dishes. Along Doncaster Road you’ll also find Bob’s Diner, Wealth Kitchen and China Bar, offering further variety.
For something scenic and unique, Stables Provedore Café is a renowned local destination for coffee, breakfast, lunch and dinner. Set within a beautifully restored historic landmark which once housed prized racehorses, Stables offers an intimate and relaxed dining experience. Located on Stables Circuit off Doncaster Road, it’s just a 4-minute drive from Applewood.
If you’re after a laid-back breakfast, lunch or dinner with family and friends, Aura Café Restaurant Bar is a great destination. Located on High Street in Templestowe Lower, a quick 6-minute drive from home, Aura offers all the classics, from avocado on toast to the humble chicken parma.
Arts and community
If you’re an artist or an art enthusiast, you’ll love Manningham Art Gallery, which presents an eclectic and innovative yearly exhibition program, workshops and events committed to supporting local and regional artists. You may also like to get involved in the many affordable arts courses offered at Manningham Art Studios. From ceramics, drawing and painting, structured classes to open studios for beginners and more experienced artists alike, there’s something for all abilities and preferences. You’ll find the Manningham Art Gallery and Studios at 687 Doncaster Road, just a 4-minute drive from Applewood.
For those who enjoy making connections within the local community, Manningham Probus Club hosts regular meetings, outings and activities for pre-retirees and retirees to enjoy. The club meets on the fourth Tuesday of every month at 10am at Pathway Baptist Church on the corner of Marcus and Thompsons Roads, an easy 8-minute drive from Applewood.
Sporting experiences
Golf lovers will adore living in Doncaster. Just 15-minutes from Applewood, you can enjoy easy access to Kew Golf Club, Latrobe Golf Club, Ivanhoe Public Golf Course and Ivanhoe Ladies Golf Club.
If you’re more of a lawn bowls buff, Doncaster Bowling Club is just a 5-minute drive from home, located on J Tully Drive. The club provides opportunities for both competitive and social bowlers and hosts regular activities and themed nights for members and friends.
To discover the high-quality facilities and features on offer at Applewood, click here.
Close to shopping destinations, transport, health services, recreation and more, everything you need to live a life of comfort and convenience is within reach. Click on the button below to download the map to discover your well-connected neighbourhood.