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Canterbury Gardens

About Boroondara

Welcome to the City of Boroondara, which is home to 160,000 people in Melbourne's inner and middle-eastern suburbs.

Known for our tree-lined streets, parks and gardens, recreational facilities and cultural activities, Boroondara covers an area of 60 square kilometres encompassing Ashburton, Balwyn, North Balwyn, Camberwell, Canterbury, Hawthorn, Hawthorn East, Kew, Kew East, and parts of Glen Iris, Surrey Hills and Mont Albert.

Our suburbs are recognised for their many well-preserved examples of Victorian, Edwardian and early twentieth century housing. As well as its residential character, Boroondara also represents a place of study and work for many people who are part of our thriving educational and commercial sectors.

While being only five kilometres east of the central business district, almost two-thirds of the City is bounded by water courses and parklands including the Yarra River, Gardiners Creek and Yarra Bend Park.

The City has a proud heritage dating back to the early nineteenth century. "Boroondara" is taken from the Woiwurrung dialect that refers to 'where the ground is thickly shaded', an obvious reference to the densely wooded and forested area that made this an ideal hunting area in centuries gone by.

Created: 5 January 2005
Last Update: 14 May 2007