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{{Use Australian English|date=August 2019}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2021}}
{{Infobox Australian place 
| type      = suburb
| name      = Balwyn
| city      = Melbourne
| state     = vic
| image     = Knutsford_Street,_Balwyn.jpg
| caption   = Knutsford Street, Balwyn
| lga       = City of Boroondara
| postcode  = 3103
| alternative_location_map = Australia Victoria metropolitan Melbourne
| coordinates = {{coord|37|48|32|S|145|4|44|E|display=inline,title}}
| pop       = <!--leave blank to draw the latest automatically from Wikidata-->
| pop_year  =
| pop_footnotes =
| elevation = 84
| area      = 5.6
| est       =
| stategov  = [[Electoral district of Kew|Kew]]
| fedgov    = [[Division of Kooyong|Kooyong]]
| fedgov2   = [[Division of Menzies|Menzies]]
| dist1     = 10
| location1 = [[Melbourne central business district|Melbourne]]
| near-nw   = [[Kew East, Victoria|Kew East]]
| near-n    = [[Balwyn North, Victoria|Balwyn North]]
| near-ne   = [[Mont Albert North, Victoria|Mont Albert North]]
| near-w    = [[Kew, Victoria|Kew]]
| near-e    = [[Mont Albert North, Victoria|Mont Albert North]]
| near-sw   = [[Deepdene, Victoria|Deepdene]]
| near-s    = [[Canterbury, Victoria|Canterbury]]
| near-se   = [[Mont Albert, Victoria|Mont Albert]]
| local_map = yes
| zoom      = 13
}}

'''Balwyn''' ({{IPAc-en|audio=En-au-balwyn.oga|ˈ|b|ɔː|l|w|ə|n}}) is a suburb of [[Melbourne]], [[Victoria (Australia)|Victoria]], [[Australia]], {{Convert|10|km|abbr=on}} east of Melbourne's [[Melbourne City Centre|Central Business District]], located within the [[City of Boroondara]] [[Local government areas of Victoria|local government area]]. Balwyn recorded a population of 13,495 at the [[2021 Australian census|2021 census]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.abs.gov.au/census/find-census-data/quickstats/2021/SAL20123|title=2021 Census QuickStats: Balwyn|website=censusdata.abs.gov.au|language=en|access-date=3 July 2022}}</ref>

The suburb's post-European settlement character was initially agricultural with several large estates built around a small [[village]] centre. Since the early 20th century, farms and mansions gave way to suburban development as the population of Melbourne rapidly grew.<ref name="balwynbeginnings">{{cite web |title=Balwyn's Beginnings |url=http://home.vicnet.net.au/~balwynhs/balwyns-beginnings/|website=Balwyn Historical Society |access-date=10 March 2024}}</ref> Today Balwyn is almost entirely residential and one of Victoria's most affluent suburbs,<ref>{{Cite web|date=2021-05-23|title=10 Most Expensive Suburbs in Melbourne|url=https://metropole.com.au/10-most-expensive-suburbs-in-melbourne/|access-date=2021-06-27|website=Metropole Property Strategists|language=en-AU}}</ref> regularly ranking in the state's top 10 most expensive suburbs.

==Etymology==
In the late 1850s [[Andrew Murray (journalist)|Andrew Murray]], commercial editor and political writer for [[The Argus (Australia)|The Argus]] newspaper, bought land on the hill overlooking Canterbury Gardens. He named his house Balwyn from the [[Scottish Gaelic|Gaelic]] ''bal'' and the Saxon ''wyn'', meaning 'the home of the vine'. Balwyn Road and the district were named after it.<ref>
{{Australian Dictionary of Biography|last= Camfield|first= D.|year= 1974|volume= 5|id2=murray-andrew-4277|title= Murray, Andrew (1813–1880)|accessdate= 22 November 2014}}</ref> The house was located on the site that is now part of [[Fintona Girls' School]].
 
==History==

===Pre-European settlement===
The formally recognised [[traditional owners]] for the area in which Balwyn is located are the [[Wurundjeri]] people,<ref name=AV>{{cite map|title=Welcome to Country and Acknowledgements Map|url=https://achris.vic.gov.au/weave/wca.html|publisher=State Government of Victoria|date=12 March 2024|access-date=7 July 2025|website=First Peoples - State Relations}}</ref> who lived on the land for at least 14,000 years. The Wurundjeri People are represented by the Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung Cultural Heritage Aboriginal Corporation.<ref name=WWWCHAC>{{cite web|title=Wurundjeri|url=https://www.wurundjeri.com.au/|publisher=Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung Cultural Heritage Aboriginal Corporation|access-date=2 June 2019}}</ref>

===19th century===
Following the [[Foundation of Melbourne]], Balwyn was part of Henry [[Elgar's Special Survey]] of {{convert|8|mi2|km2}} in 1841, which was subdivided into small farms and grazing runs.

In 1868 Balwyn Primary School was opened in Balwyn Road about 100 metres north of Whitehorse Road. It was moved to its present site, south of Whitehorse Road, in 1880, opposite Murray's property. Balwyn's first town centre was near the intersection of Balwyn and Whitehorse Roads, containing a few shops, a blacksmith and the athenaeum or mechanics' institute. Anglican services began in 1868 and the St. Barnabas church, Balwyn Road, was opened in 1872.<ref>{{Cite web|title = Balwyn & Balwyn North, Victoria|url = http://www.arts.monash.edu.au/ncas/multimedia/gazetteer/list/balwyn.html| access-date = 2010-09-16|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20041013061613/http://www.arts.monash.edu.au/ncas/multimedia/gazetteer/list/balwyn.html|archive-date = 2004-10-13
}}</ref>

Balwyn Post Office first opened on 26 August 1874, in a rural area, closed in 1894, then reopened in 1920.<ref name = "a">{{Cite web | website = Phoenix Auctions History | title = Post Office List | url = https://www.phoenixauctions.com.au/cgi-bin/wsPhoenix.sh/Viewpocdwrapper.p?SortBy=vic&country=&filter=Balwyn | access-date = 7 July 2025}}</ref> It faced a second closure on 11 February 2011 but due to a campaign by local residents and the intervention of the Federal Member, [[Josh Frydenberg]], the service was reopened.<ref name="Post Office To Reopen in Balwyn">{{Cite web | title = Post Office To Reopen in Balwyn|url = http://www.joshfrydenberg.com.au/guest/mediaReleasesDetails.aspx?id=39|access-date = 7 July 2025|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20130424101513/http://joshfrydenberg.com.au/guest/mediaReleasesDetails.aspx?id=39|archive-date=24 April 2013|date=1 November 2011|website=joshfrydenberg.com.au}}</ref>

The [[Outer Circle railway line]], with a station at [[Deepdene railway station, Melbourne|Deepdene]], opened in 1891, was closed in 1893, re-opened in 1900 then finally closed to passenger traffic in 1927.

===20th century===
[[File:Palace Balwyn.jpg|thumb|right|Balwyn Cinema on [[Maroondah Highway|Whitehorse Road]]]]
The [[Trams in Melbourne|electric tram system]] was extended along Cotham Road to terminate at Burke Road, Deepdene, on 30 May 1913. The line was extended along Whitehorse Road, through Balwyn to terminate at Union Road, Mont Albert, on 30 September 1916.<ref>{{Cite web|title = 1911–1920|work = 100 Years of Electric Trams – Tram History – Milestones|url = http://www.yarratrams.com.au/desktopdefault.aspx/tabid-155/173_read-883|publisher = Yarra Trams|access-date = 2010-09-16|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110927015813/http://www.yarratrams.com.au/desktopdefault.aspx/tabid-155/173_read-883|archive-date = 27 September 2011|url-status = dead}}</ref>

The Balwyn Cinema opened as a single screen theatre in 1930.<ref>{{Cite web|title = Balwyn Cinema|work = Cinema History Around The World|url = http://www.cinematour.com/tour/au/49.html|publisher = Cinematour|access-date = 2012-03-11}}</ref> It was converted into a three-screen cinema in February 1994, after it was acquired by Palace Cinemas.<ref name = BHS-Oct-2023>{{Cite magazine|url=http://home.vicnet.net.au/~balwynhs/newsletters/2023/download.php?file=BHS_Newsletter_October_2023.pdf|magazine=Balwyn Historical Society Newsletter|date=October 2023|publisher=Balwyn Historical Society|title=The History of the Palace Cinema Balwyn|author=Ricketts, Lisa}}</ref>{{rp|p=8}}

A considerable number of local churches, such as the Deepdene Methodist Church, were constructed during the post-World War II boom of suburban development in the area.{{Citation needed|date=July 2025}}

Balwyn's status as an affluent suburb has seen middle to upper-middle-class families from suburbs such as [[Kew, Victoria|Kew]] and [[Brighton, Victoria|Brighton]] move to the area for the suburb's relatively large block sizes and proximity to some of Victoria's best private schools, including those in the neighbouring suburbs of Canterbury and Kew. Some of the initial development of the suburb occurred along the Whitehorse Road tramline, along which the Wade handbag and the [[Jarvis Walker]] fishing rod factories were once located.{{Citation needed|date=July 2025}}

===21st century===
[[File:Entrance to refurbished Balwyn Library (27724654618).jpg|300px|thumb|The refurbished Balwyn Library in 2018. Balwyn is the most popular public library in the state behind the [[State Library of Victoria]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Boroondara Library Services Plan |url=https://www.boroondara.vic.gov.au/media/file/boroondara-library-services-plan.docx |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180621170924/https://www.boroondara.vic.gov.au/sites/default/files/2017-05/Boroondara-Library-Services-Plan.docx |archive-date=21 June 2018 |publisher=Boroondara City Council |access-date=21 June 2018|url-status=dead}}</ref>{{Verification failed|date=July 2025}}]]

The south western part of Balwyn was excised as the suburb of [[Deepdene, Victoria|Deepdene]] in 2010.<ref name = "CoB">{{Cite web|website = City of Boroondara|title = Deepdene – our newest suburb|url = http://www.boroondara.vic.gov.au/news/april/deepdene-our-newest-suburb|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120318001223/http://www.boroondara.vic.gov.au/news/april/deepdene-our-newest-suburb|url-status = dead|archive-date = 18 March 2012|access-date = 25 July 2011|date = 9 April 2010}}</ref> 

In 2005, Balwyn Cinema was converted into a five-screen cinema, and had its foyer restored after a major flood, uncovering the original 1930s tiled floor.<ref name = BHS-Oct-2023/>{{rp|page=8}} It also served as the head office of Palace Cinemas until 2016, when the head office was moved to South Yarra.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.realcommercial.com.au/news/plot-twist-as-palace-cinemas-moves-to-south-yarra|title=Plot twist as Palace Cinemas moves to South Yarra|work=www.realcommercial.com.au|access-date=15 July 2025|author=Ballantyne, Adrian|date=2 March 2016}}</ref> In December 2016, four more screens were added. In March 2017, another two screens were added, which makes 11 screens in total.<ref name = BHS-Oct-2023/>{{rp|p=9}}

Balwyn is consistently ranked as one of Melbourne's five most exclusive suburbs. The heritage-protected Reid Estate,<ref>{{cite VHD|22177|Reid Estate, Balwyn|ho=192|access-date = 2014-11-30}}</ref> between Mont Albert and Whitehorse Roads, contains many architecturally significant [[Interwar period|Interwar]] houses. 

The suburb was lampooned by the [[Skyhooks (band)|Skyhooks]] in their single, ''Balwyn Calling'', and was once described as "arguably Melbourne's most maligned".<ref>{{Cite news|first=Larissa |last=Dubecki|title=Balwyn Sailing|newspaper = [[The Age]]|location = Melbourne|date=21 February 2008|url=http://www.theage.com.au/news/in-depth/balwyn-mauling/2008/02/20/1203467173800.html|access-date=2008-03-03}}</ref>

==Geography==
===Localities===
====Balwyn East====
A small area adjacent to [[Mont Albert North]] is sometimes known as '''Balwyn East'''. This name is generally used to refer to parts around the East Balwyn Shopping Centre at the intersection of Union Road and Belmore Road.{{Citation needed|date=July 2025}}

===Landmarks===
Balwyn is home to the [[Maranoa Botanic Gardens]], Australia's first botanical garden dedicated to indigenous flora.

==Economy==
The main shopping area is located around the intersection of Whitehorse Road and Balwyn Road.

==Transport==
===Road===
Whitehorse Road runs east–west along the ridgeline through the centre of Balwyn. Balwyn Road runs north–south from [[Koonung Creek Reserve]] (adjacent to the [[Eastern Freeway, Melbourne|Eastern Freeway]]) to Canterbury Road.

===Public transport===
====Tram====
The [[Melbourne tram route 109|109 tram line]] runs from Port Melbourne to Box Hill via Whitehorse Road. 

====Bus====
The following bus routes go to or pass through Balwyn:
* 284 – Doncaster Park & Ride – [[Box Hill railway station, Melbourne|Box Hill Station]] via Union Road<ref>{{Cite web|title=284 Doncaster Park & Ride - Box Hill Station via Union Road|url=https://www.ptv.vic.gov.au/route/16447/284-doncaster-park-and-ride-box-hill-station-via-union-road|access-date=15 July 2025}}</ref>
* 285 – Doncaster Park & Ride – [[Camberwell, Victoria|Camberwell]] via North Balwyn<ref>{{Cite web|title=285 Doncaster Park & Ride - Camberwell via North Balwyn|access-date=15 July 2025|url=https://www.ptv.vic.gov.au/route/16449/285-doncaster-park-and-ride-camberwell-via-north-balwyn|website=Public Transport Victoria}}</ref>
* 302 – City – [[Box Hill railway station, Melbourne|Box Hill Station]] via Belmore Road and [[Eastern Freeway (Melbourne)|Eastern Freeway]]<ref>{{Cite web|title=302 City - Box Hill Station via Belmore Rd and Eastern Fwy|access-date=15 July 2025|url=https://www.ptv.vic.gov.au/route/15804/302-city-box-hill-station-via-belmore-rd-and-eastern-fwy|website=Public Transport Victoria}}</ref>
* 304 – City – [[Westfield Doncaster|Doncaster SC]] via Belmore Road and Eastern Freeway<ref>{{Cite web|title=304 City - Doncaster SC via Belmore Rd and Eastern Fwy|url=https://www.ptv.vic.gov.au/route/13794/304-city-doncaster-sc-via-belmore-rd-and-eastern-fwy|access-date=15 July 2025|website=Public Transport Victoria}}</ref>
* 302-304 – Combined City – Box Hill – Doncaster SC<ref>{{Cite web|title=302-304 Combined City - Box Hill -Doncaster SC|url=https://www.ptv.vic.gov.au/route/13796/302-304-combined-city-box-hill-doncaster-sc|access-date=15 July 2025|website=Public Transport Victoria}}</ref>
* 548 – Kew (Cotham Road) – [[La Trobe University|La Trobe University Bundoora]]<ref>{{Cite PTV route|route=548|access-date=15 July 2025}}</ref>

===Active transport===
The two main designated north-south cycling routes are along Balwyn Road and the Anniversary Trail. Mont Albert Road is similarly classified as the main east-west route.<ref>{{cite web |title=Strategic Cycling Corridors in Victoria|url=https://www.vic.gov.au/strategic-cycling-corridors |website=www.vic.gov.au|publisher=State Government of Victoria |access-date=10 March 2024}}</ref>

Almost all roads and streets in Balwyn have sealed [[Footpath|footpaths]] and several parks provide connections between neighbourhoods. Some older parts of Balwyn have [[Alley|service lanes]] to the rear of properties, an uncommon feature for a suburb outside of the inner city of Melbourne.{{Citation needed|date=July 2025}}

==Education==
===Preschool===
*Balwyn East Kindergarten
*Yongala Preschool

===Primary===
*[[Balwyn Primary School]]

===Secondary===
*[[Fintona Girls' School]]

==Sport==
The suburb has an [[Australian Rules]] football team, the [[Balwyn Football Club|Balwyn Tigers]]. Their home ground is Balwyn Park. There are several junior teams including the Balwyn and Greythorn Jets, competing in the [[Yarra Junior Football League|Eastern Football League]].<ref name="d">{{Cite web | website = Full Point Footy | title = Eastern Football League | url = http://www.fullpointsfooty.net/eastern_football_league.htm | access-date = 2008-10-21 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20090101213058/http://www.fullpointsfooty.net/eastern_football_league.htm | archive-date = 1 January 2009 | url-status = usurped}}</ref> 

It also has the [[Cricket|Balwyn Cricket Club]].<ref name=bcc>{{Cite web|title = Balwyn Cricket Club|url = https://www.balwyncc.com.au/|website=www.balwyncc.com.au|access-date = 7 July 2025}}</ref>

==Notable people==
* [[Warwick Capper]] – former Australian Rules footballer, singer, actor and media personality, resident of Balwyn<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.sydneyswans.com.au/news/1357431/where-are-they-now-capper-turns-60|title=Where are they now? Capper turns 60|website=[[Sydney Swans]]|last=Blucher|first=Peter|date=13 June 2023|access-date=7 July 2025}}</ref>
* [[Olivia Deeble]] – Home And Away actress
* [[Steve Hooker]] – former pole vaulter and olympic gold medallist, grew up in Balwyn<ref name="hooker">{{cite web|last=Sharwood|first=Anthony|title=Under the radar|work=[[The Australian|The Weekend Australian Magazine]]|date=2009-10-24 |pages=14–20 |url=http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,26249462-5012694,00.html|access-date=2009-10-25 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091026185842/http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0%2C25197%2C26249462-5012694%2C00.html|archive-date=26 October 2009|url-status=dead}}</ref>
* [[Kathy Jackson]] – former national secretary of the [[Health Services Union]]{{Citation needed|date=July 2025}}
* [[Jane Kennedy (actress)|Jane Kennedy]] – semi-regular panellist on television chat show [[The Circle (TV program)|The Circle]], grew up in Balwyn<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/tv-and-radio/why-jane-kennedy-is-loving-her-rock-n-roll-radio-return-20180606-p4zjtw.html|title=Why Jane Kennedy is loving her rock'n'roll radio return|date=7 June 2018|author=Rocca, Jane|work=[[The Sydney Morning Herald|Sydney Morning Herald]]|access-date=7 July 2025}}</ref>
* [[Belle Bruce Reid]] – Australia's first female veterinarian, established the Balwyn Veterinary Surgery<ref>{{Australian Dictionary of Biography |last= Wirth |first= Hugh J. |author-link= Hugh Wirth |year= 2002 |volume= 16 |id2=reid-isabelle-bruce-belle-11503 |title=Reid, Isabelle Bruce (Belle) (1883–1945) |accessdate= 19 March 2015}}</ref>

==See also==
* [[City of Camberwell]] – Balwyn was previously within this former local government area.
* ''[[Bonjour Balwyn]]'' – A 1971 Australian independent film.
* [[Electoral district of Balwyn]] – An electoral district of the [[Victorian Legislative Assembly]] (1955–1992).

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
{{commons category}}
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20041013061613/http://www.arts.monash.edu.au/ncas/multimedia/gazetteer/list/balwyn.html Australian Places – Balwyn & Balwyn North]

{{City of Boroondara suburbs}}

[[Category:Suburbs of Melbourne]]
[[Category:Suburbs of the City of Boroondara]]