Investors are increasingly turning to Craigieburn and Wollert, two suburbs in Victoria’s rapidly expanding northern corridor. The two suburbs are about 25–30 km north of Melbourne’s CBD, and their populations have boomed with major investment in infrastructure and urban development.
Let’s explore what makes Craigieburn and Wollert prime targets for residential, commercial, and land investment – from new transport links and community facilities to strong housing demand and future growth plans.
Craigieburn: A Thriving Residential Hub
Capital growth in Craigieburn is impressive, averaging 7.2% per year over the last 20 years. So, if you invest in property in this growing suburb, you can expect ROI to increase significantly over time.
Also, the population has tripled in just 17 years—reaching 65,178 in the 2021 census (up nearly 30% since 2016) —fueling increased demand for homes and even higher property values. Median rent and rental yield are also excellent. All these numbers indicate a strong growth of the property market in Craigieburn, making it a smart choice for investors.
Infrastructure upgrades are improving connectivity and livability
Craigieburn Road Duplication: Completed in 2024, this $1.6+ billion project added extra lanes over 5.5 km of Craigieburn Road (Mickleham Rd to Hume Hwy), installed 16 new signalised intersections, new cycling/walking paths, and bus priority lanes. This upgrade improves traffic flow, access to the Hume Freeway, and connectivity for businesses and residents.
Mickleham Road Upgrade: This $250 million upgrade will duplicate Mickleham Road to four lanes. With 25,000+ vehicles daily on this arterial, duplication will cut congestion and improve safety, helping residents reach jobs, schools, and services faster.
Community Facilities: Recently, the local council has added new amenities, such as the Craigieburn Sports Stadium and Highlander Community Centre, alongside upgrades to parks and playgrounds. In 2024, the Craigieburn Community Hospital was completed as part of an $800 million state program to bring health services to growth areas. This public hospital will offer urgent care, day surgery, dental care, and other services, allowing residents to access healthcare closer to home.
Property Market in Craigieburn: What Numbers Say
The residential property market is showing steady growth, driven by strong housing and rental demand from a growing population. For investors, this means massive capital gains and long-term rental yields.
House Price Guide
| Aspects | House | Apartment |
| Median Price | $680,000 | $423,500 |
| Past 12-month growth | Up 6.3% | Up 3.5% |
| Median rental price | $540 per week | $450 per week |
| Rental Yield | 4.1% | 5.0% |
Craigieburn also offers commercial property potential. The suburb hosts major retail centers and industrial precincts, with more commercial zoning planned. Its proximity to Melbourne Airport (just 15–20 minutes) and location along the Hume Freeway logistics corridor make it ideal for warehousing, trade outlets, and offices serving Melbourne’s north.
Just beyond Craigieburn, the Merrifield Business Park and future Beveridge Intermodal Freight Terminal will bring thousands of jobs to the region, benefiting Craigieburn by increasing local employment and housing demand. So, investors interested in land banking or development could also expect strong returns as urban growth continues in the next 5–10 years.
Wollert: An Emerging Growth Suburb
Wollert is located in the City of Whittlesea, just north of Epping and roughly 27 km from Melbourne CBD. Historically a rural area, Wollert is now one of Australia’s fastest growing suburbs with ongoing housing estate and infrastructure development.
The 2021 census recorded 24,407 residents, a huge +169% increase since 2016, as new families move in. By 2024, the population is estimated to have exceeded 33,000—thanks to affordable new housing and the suburb’s appeal to young families.
Infrastructure & Government Projects
The government and council have big plans to ensure Wollert grows into a well-serviced community, which bodes well for investors. Key infrastructure and initiatives include:
Transport Corridors: Due 2025, Epping Road duplication is under construction to four lanes. This will ease commutes between Wollert and Epping. In addition, land is protected for a future Epping North – Wollert transport corridor. In fact, a government-funded rail line feasibility study is underway to potentially extend the Metropolitan train line through Epping North to Wollert. This study (to be completed by late 2025) is examining options for better mass transit to serve the booming population. There are also plans for a train line to Wollert and improved bus services to improve connectivity.
Road Network Upgrades: Local roads, including Boundary Road, Craigieburn Road East, and others around Wollert, are being upgraded or extended to form a grid of accessible routes. The suburb is also set to gain from the proposed Outer Metropolitan Ring (E6) freeway in the future. Plans show an E6 interchange near Wollert, which would plug the area into a 100-km high-speed orbital freeway linking Melbourne’s north and west.
This would dramatically improve freight and commuter access, making Wollert a strategic location for businesses and logistics in the long term. Investors who get in early could benefit significantly from better connectivity in the long term.
Facilities: Multiple new schools have opened in just the last few years. For example, Wollert Primary School opened in 2022, Barrawang Primary in 2023, and Wirrigirri Primary School opened in Term 1 2025. Another new campus (Umarkoo Primary) is slated for 2026. A brand-new Wollert Community Centre has also been established, offering flexible community spaces and even sports facilities for residents. Plans are also underway for future health facilities – notably, the nearby Whittlesea Community Hospital project will serve Wollert residents once open.
Town Centre & Employment Hub: Perhaps most exciting for investors is the plan for a Major Town Centre in Wollert. The Precinct Structure Plan (PSP) for Wollert designates a substantial town centre to be developed within the suburb. This will be a focal point for shopping, dining, entertainment, and services – essentially creating a local CBD to serve Wollert and Epping North. Already, a Wollert Commercial District is taking shape around Boundary Rd to attract businesses and jobs. Significant upgrades to utilities and roads are being done “in anticipation of growth in the area” to drive unparalleled access to this commercial and industrial hub.
Property Market in Wollert: What Numbers Say
House Price Guide
| Aspects | House | Apartment |
| Median Price | $687,000 | $471,000 |
| Median rental price | $560 per week | $495 per week |
| Rental Yield | 4.3% | 4.5% |
Given Wollert’s ongoing development, buying land for future subdivision or construction can be lucrative. Land values have been rising as infrastructure is added. The PSP and Growth Corridor plans identify parts of Wollert for future industrial and commercial development, meaning today’s paddocks could host tomorrow’s business parks.
Invest Now, Reap Later: The Rise of Craigieburn and Wollert
Whether one is interested in residential real estate, commercial properties, or land banking for future projects, Craigieburn and Wollert are compelling. Importantly, both suburbs are part of a well-planned Northern Growth Corridor set to accommodate hundreds of thousands of people and new jobs, backed by billions in public and private investment.
For investors seeking growth potential with solid fundamentals, Craigieburn and Wollert are locations to watch (and invest in) as Melbourne’s expansion continues.
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