A melting pot of authentic Asian cuisine and contemporary conveniences in Melbourne’s east, Box Hill has boomed over the last 30 years to become not only one of the city’s most vibrant and multicultural community hubs, but also one of the fastest growing education and medical precincts.
Many of the traditional market eateries have evolved into edgy restaurants and bubble tea bars, and ‘Centro’ shopping centre now features street art murals and entertainment alongside modern shops.
However, Box Hill’s old charm remains, and you can still find plenty of ‘cheap and cheerful’ Asian haunts, where mouth-watering broths, noodles and dumplings go hand-in-hand with no-fuss service and décor.
Box Hill is well connected to Melbourne’s CBD via the Belgrave/Lilydale train line and the 109 tram, and local bus routes take visitors to and from surrounding suburbs such as Doncaster, Balwyn and Mount Waverley.
Suburban Rail Loop East will deliver a brand new underground station for this buzzy destination, so let’s take a look at this ever-evolving suburb and its bright future.
- Tien Dat Vietnamese Restaurant
Tien Dat was the first Vietnamese restaurant in Box Hill – opening in 1983 when the railway was overground, Box Hill Central was still being built, and there was just one Chinese grocery store. This long-time local favourite serves traditional dishes influenced by North Vietnamese flavours and spice from the south. It’s still owned by the same family and underwent a modern makeover in recent years. The restaurant’s Scandi interior makes Tien Dat a trendy spot for lunch or dinner.- 3 Carrington Road, Box Hill | 1-minute walk from Box Hill station
- Tien Dat website
- Box Hill Central
Loved by locals and visitors alike, Box Hill Central is the main hub and beating heart of the area and offers an array of authentic Asian food and retail experiences. This bustling shopping centre integrates essential services, major supermarkets and Box Hill train station with an array of independent Asian eateries, grocers and shops selling traditional remedies and wares. Start the day with an authentic Chinese breakfast such as jianbing, congee or savoury soy milk at one of the many Food Court market stalls. Swing by Ootoro Ichiba for fresh oysters and sushi platters or Magic Cuisine to pick up cold meats such as pig trotters or ox-tongue, or pop next door to Blissful Station for vegan Chinese dumplings, wonton soup and more.- 1 Main Street, Box Hill | 1-minute walk from Box Hill station
- Box Hill Central website
- Whitehorse Artspace and the Whitehorse Art Trail
The birthplace of Australian artist Howard Arkley (1951 – 1999) - recognised for his airbrushed paintings of suburbia - Box Hill’s art scene continues to thrive. Box Hill Town Hall is home to Artspace, a modern gallery exhibiting work from Victorian artists and is open free to the public. In addition, a Whitehorse City Council Artists’ Trail starts in Main Street near Box Hill Station and finishes at Blackburn Lake, matching real life locations with 10 renowned artworks and providing detailed history and artist biographies for each.- Box Hill Town Hall, 1022 Whitehorse Rd, Box Hill | 5-minute walk from Box Hill station
- Artspace Exhibitions
- Artists Trail
- Box Hill Gardens
Box Hill Gardens is a leafy park where visitors can play games, picnic or take a break from the hustle and bustle. Packed with family-friendly attractions and facilities, the park boasts a scenic pond with a bridge and ducks, 2 modern playgrounds, BBQs and a walking and running track. The gardens will remain open with a full running track throughout construction.- Corner of Station and Irving Streets, Box Hill | 8-minute walk from Box Hill station
- Golden Age Lunar New Year Festival
The 2023 Golden Age Lunar New Year festival is a free community event celebrating the New Year across Asian cultures. Spanning from Whitehorse Road to Box Hill Central, the festival will feature traditional Chinese decorations and a large programme of kids’ activities, live music, lion dancing, martial arts, firecrackers and more than 40 hawker market food and drink stalls. This is the first time the much-loved event will return since the COVID-19 pandemic, with help from an SRL Community Projects Fund grant.- Saturday 28 January 2023, 11am to midnight
- Whitehorse Road to Box Hill Central, Box Hill | 1-minute walk from Box Hill station
- Asian Business Association of Whitehorse Inc
The future of Box Hill with SRL East
SRL East will make getting around the heart of Box Hill easier with pedestrian plazas around the new underground station, traffic-free connections to public transport and shops, and a new linear park.
The new SRL station will be complete by 2035, bringing enormous social and economic benefits to the local community.
The station will provide a convenient connection to the existing Box Hill Station on the Belgrave/Lilydale line and will integrate with local tram and bus services – connecting more people to jobs, health services and study opportunities in one of Melbourne’s fastest growing education and medical precincts.
- Students and teachers will be able to travel between Box Hill and Monash University in 10 minutes
- Travellers from Box Hill will be able to get to Melbourne Airport in less than 30 minutes
Beyond the rail line, SRL will open up exciting prospects for new recreation spaces and community facilities that will make Box Hill an even more attractive and vibrant place to live, work and visit.
With SRL East, employment opportunities are expected to double, creating 48,500 jobs in the area by 2056.
In Box Hill, SRL will see new walking and cycling paths, 500 bike parking spaces, and new space for retail, dining and housing, to meet the needs of the vibrant and ever-growing suburb.
A local's perspective
