Melbourne Suburb - Cranbourne

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Cranbourne is a fast-growing suburb located ideally situated just a short drive away from the many coastal attractions of the Mornington Peninsula and Western Port Bay, as well as being on the main route from Melbourne to Phillip Island.

It is 49 km south-east of Melbourne via the M1 and the South Gippsland Highway and is situated at an elevation of 50 metres above sea-level. The combined population of Cranbourne and Cranbourne South, in 1991, was 19,137. It is now part of the City of Casey.

 

 

History

Cranbourne has become a dormitory area for Melbourne as the metropolis has expanded although dairying continues to be important to the rural hinterland. Sand and gravel quarrying is also conducted and the town itself supports light engineering and building industries.

Prior to European settlement the area is thought to have been occupied by the Boonwurung Aborigines. The first white settlers, the Ruffy brothers, arrived in 1836. They later opened the Cranbourne Inn.

As the result of increasing settlement a townsite was reserved in 1852 with some allotments being offered for sale later that year. However, an allotment survey did not occur until 1856. It was conducted by Surveyor Foot who is probably responsible for the present name which was inspired either by Viscount Cranbourne, the son of the Marquess of Salisbury, or by a district of the same name in England. It was proclaimed a town in 1861.

In 1860 a number of meteorites landed in the area. The largest, at 1.5 tonnes, was then considered the world's largest.

A major cattle market was established at Cranbourne in the 1870s, aided by the arrival of the railway in 1887. A market gardening industry emerged after World War I with the arrival of Italian immigrants.

 

While suburban housing developments characterize the Cranbourne of today, the original town had a long history, having first been settled in 1836. The region has strong agricultural roots, with a large cattle market established in the area soon after settlement, and more recently, Cranbourne was the location of one of Melbourne's major market gardening industries from the early 1900s. A few of those market gardens still remain, situated south of the city and in the neighbouring communities of Clyde and Devon Meadows.

 

Facilities

Cranbourne offers a large and modern commercial centre which lines the wide boulevard of High Street (South Gippsland Highway) and includes the Centro Cranbourne Shopping Centre which features around 100 retail outlets.

Cranbourne has had a long history with the horse racing industry, having held its first meeting in 1867. These days, the modern racecourse and adjoining training complex are popular facilities, hosting the Cranbourne Cup and other carnivals. It is also the home for Greyhound Racing.

One of the major tourist attraction in town is the 363 hectare Royal Botanical Gardens which include wetlands, woodlands, walking tracks, picnic and BBQ areas. The 11 hectare Australian Garden, located within the grounds of the Botanical Gardens, showcase the diverse plants and landscapes of the country.

An unusual attraction within Cranbourne is a meteorite display. Situated within the park on the corner of the South Gippsland Highway and Camms Road (opposite The Settlement Hotel) are full-scale replicas of meteorites that landed in the area in 1860. The largest, at 1.5 tonnes, was then considered the world's largest.

 

Schools

Cranbourne offers some of the best schools in the area these include:

 

Primary

St. Agatha's Catholic School,

St. Therese's Catholic Primary School,

Marnebek School,

Cranbourne South Primary School,

Cranbourne Park Primary School,

Cranbourne West Primary School,

Rangebank Primary School,

Courtenay Gardens Primary School,

Cranbourne Primary School,

Cranbourne Specialist School.

 

 

Secondary

Lyndhurst Secondary College,

Casey Grammar School (Cranbourne Christian College) **

St. Peter's Catholic Co-Ed College **

Cranbourne Secondary College **

Chisholm Institute of TAFE also has a campus in Cranbourne, to the city's east. To cater for the growth in Cranbourne several primary schools have been proposed.

 

** Best Schools in area

Sport and Recreational Facilities

Australian Football/Cricket

There are 8 Australian football/cricket ovals available at J&P Camm Reserve (2 ovals), the Donnelly Recreation Reserve (2 ovals), the Clyde Recreation Reserve (1 oval), the Lawson Poole Reserve (1 oval), the Junction Village Reserve (1 oval) and the Glover Recreation Reserve (1 oval). Seven of the eight ovals each have a synthetic centre cricket wicket, whilst the E.G. Allen Oval at the Cranbourne Racecourse & Recreation Reserve has the only turf centre wicket within the Cranbourne Area.

 

Rugby

There are 2 rugby fields at the Lawson Poole Reserve (1 field) and the Clyde Recreation Reserve (1 field).

 

Football

There are currently 3 football fields available on the Cranbourne Racecourse & Recreation Reserve. There is a Soccer Club on O'Tooles Road, the club is called Casey Comets Football Club.

 

Athletics

There is an athletics track (grass) at Lawson Poole Reserve.

 

Basketball and Netball

There are 6 basketball courts available at the Terry Vickerman Centre at the Casey Indoor Leisure Complex (shared netball). There is a netball court the Glover Recreation Reserve (1 outdoor court).

 

Tennis

There are 20 tennis courts available at Cranbourne Tennis Club, Cranbourne Racecourse & Recreation Reserve (6 porous); the Clyde Tennis Club, Clyde Recreation Reserve (4 plexipave); the Devon Meadows Tennis Club, Glover Recreation Reserve (4 porous, 2 asphalt); and the Cranbourne South Tennis Club, Morning Mist Recreation Reserve (2 artificial grass; 2 plexipave). There are an additional 8 courts (sand-filled artificial grass) available inside the Terry Vickerman Centre at the Casey Indoor Leisure Complex.

 

Aerobics/Fitness/Gymnasium

The Cranbourne Indoor Pool, Beach House Fitness and Cranbourne Fitness Centre offer health & fitness facilities.

 

Golf

There are 3 golf courses privately owned and managed:

Amstel Golf Club (public course).

Rainfurlie Golf Club (members course).

Cranbourne Golf Club (public course).

 

Gymnastics

A club-based gymnastics program is available at the Cranbourne Park Primary School.

 

Horse Riding and Racing

Club-based horse riding is available at the Morning Mist Recreation Reserve. There are other privately owned and managed facilities, such as the Briars Equestrian Centre in Clyde. Both Cranbourne greyhound and harness racing clubs are on Grant Street.

 

Lawn Bowls

Two lawn bowls club facilities are available at the Cranbourne Bowls Club (Cranbourne Racecourse & Recreation Reserve) and the Cranbourne RSL Bowls Club.

 

Shooting

Shooting facilities are available at the Cranbourne Dandenong Pistol Club (Cranbourne Racecourse & Recreation Reserve). The Cranbourne RSL Gun Club (Thompsons Road, Cranbourne North) was demolished in late 2006, the Victorian Deer Association now meet at Akoonah Park in Berwick.

 

Skating/BMX

There are skating and BMX facilities available at the following locations:

Merinda Park (outdoor skate park).

The Shed (indoor skate park). The Shed is managed and fully supervised by the Salvation Army. Closed down in 2008 due to poor business.

 

Swimming

Due to open in 2009 is the new $37 million Cranbourne Aquatic and Leisure Centre This will be Australia’s leading aquatic and leisure facilities for family fun and fitness.

The CALC will have something for everyone combining all the fun and excitement of waterslides and splash park, with leisure pools, 50 metre lap pool, hydrotherapy pool, spa, sauna and steam room, and fully equipped gymnasium.