Kallista, Victoria, 3791
PLACES OF THE DANDENONG RANGES
STATISTICS OF KALLISTA
01.
Population
The population of Kallista from the 2016 Census was 1437.
02.
Median
The median house price for Kallista in November 2021 was $980,000
03.
Highest
In 2011, the highest price achieved for a home in Kallista was $1,425,000
In 2021, the highest price achieved for a home in Kallista was $1,650,00
04.
Lowest
In 2011, the lowest price achieved for a home in Kallista was $407,500
In 2021, the lowest price achieved for a home in Kallista was $571,020
All statistics and numbers were obtained using Corelogic
KALLISTA, VICTORIA, 3792
Kallista, Forest Village
Kallista is a true Hills Village, wedged between Sherbrooke Forest, Monbulk, The Patch as well as Sherbrooke and Olinda. Sherbrooke Forest covers 29.2% of Kallista.
Kallista is commutable to Melbourne (only 36ks) and has Belgrave Station an easy 5 minute drive through Sherbrooke Forest. There are 547 dwellings and a population of 1418.
Homes are tightly held and the occupancy rate is 88.2% in 2021 versus 88.4% in 2011, a very stable occupancy rate, people are often reluctant to leave this lovely village.
The median house price is $1,050,000 and the highest sold price in 2022 so far was $2,880,000.
Back in 2011 you could have bought a home for $407,500 or paid a maximum price of $1,425,000. In 2022, the lowest sale price was $687,000 and the highest $3,200,000.
EARLY MEMORIES OF KALLISTA
My sister and her family have lived in Kallista for around three decades, thus I have a long association with this charming place.
The Kallista market was a monthly highlight for us all. A gaggle of children and supervising parents wandering over to explore and bring home lots of homemade goodies.
My nieces went to Kallista Pre-School and Primary and along with my children, played basketball for the Kallista Comets.
My early connection was playing netball and I have no idea why however we trained on the netball courts at the Primary School. Olinda no longer had a Senior team thus the transfer of allegiance.
Pre-tourism, Grants Picnic Ground has a cafe that rarely seemed to be open and the walking trails meandered into Sherbrooke Forest from both sides of the road. Now, it’s a tourist mecca, well developed and the cafe is far more likely to be open.
Beagleys Bridge and the pond created by the concrete dam wall was a place to paddle when we were small. Not deep enough to swim, it was a beautiful place to picnic and play.
PLACES OF KALLISTA
KALLISTA COMMUNITY HOUSE
The Kallista Community House forms the hub of this gorgeous village.
Classes, connection, the kinder is next door, then the Hall with the primary school across the road, the shops within view and a very short walk. The Kallista market is a colourful community event held on the lawn to the front.
Unfortunately, the ceiling collapsed and the Community House is temporarily closed as the Yarra Ranges Council sorts it all out.
A huge part of the community, I really hope that it is up and running soon.
@kallistacommunitymarket
KALLISTA TEA ROOMS – ICONIC
Established in 1949, the history is well worth a read (available on the Tearooms website). Read the history and then sit in the glassed-in dining room and imagine the diners from 70 years ago.
The menu is varied, with something for everyone and the Tearooms are another family favourite. It will get busy, particularly on the weekend so be patient and enjoy the experience before exploring the rest of the Dandenong Ranges.
CORK AT COOKS CORNER
Cork at Cooks Corner, locals love this cafe.
You are encouraged to enjoy a meal, a coffee, a wine tasting or buy a gift before or after your exploration of Sherbrooke Forest right across the road from this Hills icon.
Cooks Corner is bordered by Grantulla Rd and the Kallista Emerald Rd (no mention of a Cook here!)
The Monbulk Historical Society published the story of Cooks Corner.
https://monbulkhistoricalsociety.org.au/…/Monbulk…
Current owners come with a reputation for knowledge of wine and what people want. Well worth a look, I love it here (off the tourist track so you will probably find a lot of locals enjoying themselves).
KALLISTA GENERAL STORE
The Kallista General Store is an Aladdin’s cave of all good things.
Ideas for dinner, wine or drink for the same dinner, mail your dinner invitations from the included post office.
Friendly, community-oriented, and truly a part of the fabric of the treasure that is Kallista.
First opening in 1921, the current owners are a wine maker and lawyer – check out their website for the story of this wonderful store.
# Note: the retention of the original storefront features.
KALLISTA DELI & CAFE
The Kallista Deli and Cafe is another favourite.
Locals congregate here, next door to Mad Raven Pizza, you could spend the day in this little pocket of Kallista. Drop the children off to school or kinder, head to the Deli for coffee/breakfast, set up your laptop and work from one of the many tables, enjoy a varied lunch, another coffee before picking up the children before heading to Mad Raven for pizza dinner.
KALLISTA MECHANICS HALL
A little bit hidden but in the centre of town where any good little township has their hall.
Another gorgeous building. I remember my niece going to the Kallista Dance School here back in the 1990s. Over the years I have attended other events and have always admired its charm.
Built in 1914 as the Mechanics Hall.
If you want to know more about the various Mechanics Halls/Institutes then please check out http://www.mivic.org.au/institutes.html
KALLISTA PRIMARY SCHOOL
Kallista Primary School, a small school, typically Hills in the strength of its community. Children often begin with the Kallista Pre-school before progressing to the Primary School across the road.
KALLISTA PRE-SCHOOL
Kallista Pre School, local children don’t have to travel too far between kinder and primary. Typical of a small community, many children continue onto Secondary School locally with the same group of friends they have had since kinder.
BEAGLEYS BRIDGE
A place to paddle your toes. The Sassafras Creek varies in its flow however the picnic spot across the wooden bridge is a quiet, little, out-of-the road spot to while away a sunny afternoon.
OLD PLACES – KALLISTA PETROL STATION
Once upon a time there was a petrol station in the centre of town, very useful and unfortunately, very much gone.
A variety of ideas have been suggested for the site however it remains vacant and truthfully, an eyesore for this picturesque little town.
