Moving to Blackburn (2026)
Moving suburbs is one of the biggest decisions you will make. This guide puts every essential for Blackburn in one place — the GP you will register with, the supermarket you will default to, the cafe that becomes your regular, and the park where you will walk the dog.
Blackburn at a Glance
| Need | Blackburn |
|---|---|
| Estimated rent (1BR) | $350–$460/week |
| Restaurants | 28 |
| Cafes | 26 |
| Schools | 10 |
| Parks | 19 |
| Medical | 4 |
| Supermarkets | 4 |
| Pharmacies | 0 |
Your First Week in Blackburn
Day 1-2: Set Up Healthcare
Register with a GP immediately — do not wait until you are sick.
Blackburn has 4 medical facilities:
| Facility | Address | Phone |
|---|---|---|
| Dorevitch Pathology | 204 Canterbury Road, Blackburn South | — |
| Eastern Health Blackburn | 188-198 Canterbury Road | — |
| Blackburn Clinic | 195 Whitehorse Road | +61 3 9875 1111 |
| Melbourne Pathology | 249 Canterbury Road, Forest Hill | — |
Day 2-3: Find Your Supermarket
- IGA — 11 Salisbury Avenue, Blackburn
- Coles — 66-104 Springfield Road
- Woolworths
- Aldi
Day 3-4: Explore the Food Scene
Blackburn has 28 restaurants and 26 cafes. Start with these:
Morning coffee:
- The Joy Parade — 1 Salisbury Avenue, Blackburn
- Miss Lucy — 133 Central Road, Nunawading
- Aunt Billie’s Cafe — 184 Surrey Road, Blackburn
- Gourmet Girl — 21 Salisbury Avenue, Blackburn
Day 4-5: Set Up Transport
- Get a Myki card — available at any train station, 7-Eleven, or PTV hub
- Myki Money vs Myki Pass — Money for occasional use, Pass for daily commuters
- Daily cap: $10.60 (Zone 1+2) — you will never pay more than this per day
- Register your Myki at ptv.vic.gov.au — protects your balance if lost
Check PTV Journey Planner for your specific commute from Blackburn.
Day 5-7: Walk the Neighbourhood
Blackburn has 19 parks. Find the one closest to your place and make it your default walk:
- Whitehorse Reserve
- Bolton Park
- Furness Park
- Naughton Grove Reserve
- Morton Park
- Blacks Walk Reserve
If You Have Kids
Blackburn has 10 schools. Check your zone at findmyschool.vic.gov.au.
| School | Address |
|---|---|
| St Thomas the Apostle Primary School | 57 Central Road |
| Box Hill High School | 1180 Whitehorse Road, Box Hill |
| Blackburn High School | 58-62 Springfield Road |
| Laburnum Primary School | 1-31 Janet Street |
| Nunawading Christian College | 161 Central Road, Nunawading |
Cost of Living in Blackburn
| Expense | Estimated Cost |
|---|---|
| Rent (1BR) | $350–$460/week |
| Groceries (weekly, single) | $80–$120 |
| Myki transport (monthly) | ~$165 |
| Utilities (monthly) | $150–$250 |
| Internet (monthly) | $60–$90 |
| Flat white (daily) | $4.50–$5.50 |
See our detailed Cost of Living Guide for the full breakdown.
Should You Move to Blackburn?
Read our Honest Guide for the unfiltered pros and cons based on real data.
Related Guides
- Best Restaurants in Blackburn
- Best Cafes in Blackburn
- Best Bars in Blackburn
- Cost of Living in Blackburn
- Blackburn Neighbourhood Guide
- Family Guide to Blackburn
- Is Blackburn Safe?
- Blackburn Transport Guide
Last updated: March 2026. This guide is refreshed when OpenStreetMap data changes — new openings, closures and corrections are reflected automatically. Found something wrong? Let us know.
Sources
- OpenStreetMap Contributors — openstreetmap.org — accessed March 2026
- ABS Census 2021 — abs.gov.au/census
- REIV Quarterly Median Prices — reiv.com.au
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