The west coast home with a zen-like sensibility
The most surprising feature of this Perth home is what you don’t even see
3 min
One of the exceptional aspects of living in Australia is public access to foreshore areas. From beach promenades to riverside cycleways, being able to freely enjoy the waterways, beaches and parklands is something that many Australians hold dear.
However, for those fortunate enough to live by the water and enjoy the sometimes breathtaking views, it has its drawbacks, especially if your home is not designed to manage being in such a public position.
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The owners of this property overlooking Swan Canning Riverpark in South Perth had recently decided to buy a home in the city to be closer to their extended family of children and grandchildren. But while they love the views across the park to the Swan River and the city beyond, the strata title property left something to be desired.
Built in the 1980s, it lent heavily on floor-to-ceiling glass windows and downlighting, creating a goldfish bowl-like experience for those living within.
In addition to the need for privacy, project architect Suzanne Hunt says the owners wanted to create a sense of sanctuary for their home, citing peace and quiet as a high priority. They also required a home that would allow them to live in comfort and safety as they grew older, while still being stylish.
“The strata unit as it was would not allow them to age in place — it was all shiny tiles,” says Hunt. “I suggested we look at some new options that would give us the opportunity to really investigate doing a house that was smaller but had all the details they love.”
Hunt had previously designed their existing home, a sprawling property in the Perth Hills, which had reflected the owners’ affinity with Japanese design. Given the city site had neighbours on or close to both boundaries and strata rules about height and setbacks were fixed, a Japanese approach to the design was an obvious match. It would also meet the owners’ desire for a serene environment.
“Japanese design has a calmness,” says Hunt. “There are minimal materials and the interior design is architectural.
“The beauty is in the architecture, like timber battens on the walls.”
Starting from scratch, Hunt designed a two-bedroom, single-level home using a pared back palette made up primarily of timber, stone, concrete and glass.
“Everything in the house is calming, simple and highly crafted with a Japanese influence,” she says.
Thresholds are seamless, doorways have been designed to be wide enough for wheelchairs to easily pass through and fixtures like taps do not require twisting to function. Skirting height sensor lights mark common pathways, like from the garage to the living space, to improve safety without compromising the interior design aesthetic.
“The lighting has been designed to make life easier for them,” she says. “It’s very subtle. One of the owners has sight issues because of cataracts, so glaring light is really bad.”
Because of the narrow nature of the site, drawing light into the north west-facing house was always going to be a challenge. Hunt designed three internal courtyards with retractable doors placed at different points throughout the floorplan to allow in light and improve ventilation. These internal gardens also serve to bring a natural element into the house, connecting it to the parklands outside.
“The courtyards are on the west side and the east side,” Hunt says. “They have shade blinds controlled via remote control to go out over the whole courtyard to protect the plants when it is really bright light.
“They are all plants the owner has nurtured in her greenhouse so we had instant gardens.”
The flexibility of the design allows the owners to close the house off when the wind picks up while keeping all the internal spaces
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Melbourne’s lifestyle appeal is driving record population growth — and rising rents. Here are the six most expensive suburbs to rent a house in right now.
5 min
Melbourne is considered Australia’s most liveable city. In fact, Melbourne competes on the global stage, consistently ranking among Time Out’s top cities to live in the world and ranking fourth in 2025. Melbourne is a cultural mecca filled with arts, x, and the country’s best sporting events.
It’s the lifestyle factor that has seen Melbourne’s population grow by over 142,000 people over the 23/24 financial year, largely driven by overseas migration. With increased population comes increased demand for properties, particularly in the rental market.
Akin to Sydney’s Eastern Suburbs, Melbourne’s South Eastern suburbs, towards Bayside and the water, dominate the most expensive suburbs listed to rent across the Victorian capital.
In this article, we’ve examined the six most expensive suburbs to rent a house in Melbourne right now, according to property data analytics firm Cotality (formerly CoreLogic).
Brighton
Median purchase: $3.15m
Median rent: $1,353
Brighton is Melbourne’s most expensive suburb to rent a house, and it’s easy to see why. A blend of grand period homes and modern architectural builds line the wide, tree-filled streets. The suburb is synonymous with luxury, and rental properties—especially those close to the famed Brighton Beach and its iconic bathing boxes—are snapped up quickly. Vacancy rates sit at a tight 0.9 per cent.
The Neighbourhood
Brighton offers an enviable mix of a beachside lifestyle and convenient shopping and dining. With access to top schools like Brighton Grammar and Firbank, plus Church Street’s boutiques and the Royal Brighton Yacht Club, the Bayside suburb is the complete package for Melbourne’s high-end renters.
Malvern
Median purchase: $2.8m
Median rent: $1,313
Long known for its timeless Victorian and Edwardian homes, Malvern is a leafy inner suburb with prestige appeal. Many properties here are fully renovated period homes, featuring extensive gardens and original features that appeal to families and executives.
The Neighbourhood
Malvern boasts a refined atmosphere with a strong community feel. Glenferrie Road and High Street offer upscale cafes, boutiques, and grocers, while schools like De La Salle and St Joseph’s make the suburb particularly attractive to families.
Black Rock
Median purchase: $2.29m
Median rent: $1,253
Nestled along the Bayside coast, Black Rock has seen steady growth in both house prices and rents in recent years. Larger blocks and a quieter, more laid-back vibe than neighbouring suburbs make this a coveted spot for renters seeking both space and lifestyle.
The Neighbourhood
Black Rock is home to the picturesque Half Moon Bay and scenic cliffside walks. The suburb blends beachside charm with village convenience, offering local cafés, golf courses, and direct access to some of Melbourne’s best coastal trails.
Sandringham
Median purchase: $2.21m
Median rent: $1,199
Sandringham, next door to Black Rock, offers more of the same as its neighbouring suburb, at similar prices. Sandringham too ticks the box for laid-back waterside recreation, with the majority of homes in walking distance to the sand and charming village shops.
The Neighbourhood
This is a family-friendly suburb with a strong community vibe. Sandringham Village, with its mix of cafes, wine bars, and boutiques, sits just a short walk from the train station and beach. The area also offers excellent sporting facilities and parks. Sandringham Harbour is the local landmark, a popular destination for boating, fishing, and waterfront views from Sandringham Yacht Club.
Canterbury
Median purchase: $3.15m
Median rent: $1,179
Canterbury is the innermost Melbourne suburb on this list. It is considered one of Melbourne’s most prestigious suburbs, defined by grand family homes, generally over-the-top opulent new builds with French Provincial façades behind gated entries.
The Neighbourhood
Canterbury is anchored by the exclusive “Golden Mile” precinct and is surrounded by elite private schools such as Camberwell Grammar and Strathcona. Maling Road provides a quaint village feel, while the area’s lush green spaces complete the picture of prestige.
Hampton
Median purchase: $2.3m
Median rent: $1,171
It’s back to Bayside for the sixth and final suburb on the priciest rental areas in Melbourne. Hampton is not too dissimilar to Brighton, with a main High Street providing convenience and the beach rounding out the relaxed lifestyle found on the bay. The suburb has undergone significant gentrification, with many original homes replaced by contemporary builds.
The Neighbourhood
With a stretch of clean, family-friendly beach and the bustling Hampton Street shopping strip, Hampton has everything renters could want—from stylish cafes to gourmet grocers and boutique fitness studios. Its proximity to Brighton and Sandringham only adds to its appeal.
Melbourne’s Cheapest Suburb: Melton South
Median purchase: $460,000
Median rent: $430
On the opposite end of the spectrum, Melton South—roughly 40km west of the CBD—offers the most affordable rental market. With a median rent of under $450 a week, it’s less than a third of the weekly rent in Brighton. The suburb attracts families and first-home renters seeking value and larger land lots.
Melbourne’s Best Suburb: Toorak
Toorak is considered the Point Piper of Melbourne. Boasting even more billionaires than Sydney’s harbourside hotspot, Toorak is home to Melbourne’s most expensive houses, and reportedly Australia’s most expensive house sale if the 1860s Italianate mansion Coonac settles at over $130 million.
The suburb has some of the best educational institutions in Melbourne, as well as luxury homes on the Yarra, two train stations, and a central shopping precinct undergoing a full transformation with several mixed-use retail and residential developments. It is definitely the place to be.
Where is Melbourne’s most expensive suburb to rent a house?
As of May 2025, Brighton is Melbourne’s most expensive suburb to rent a house.
Where is Melbourne’s cheapest suburb to rent a unit?
As of May 2025, Melton South is Melbourne’s most expensive suburb to rent a house.
Where is Melbourne’s most expensive suburb to buy a house?
As of May 2025, Toorak is Melbourne’s most expensive suburb to buy a house.
Where is Melbourne’s most expensive suburb to buy a unit?
As of May 2025, Beaumaris is Melbourne’s most expensive suburb to buy a unit
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