The eighth episode of New Neighbourhoods by OpenLot.com.au heads east to Gippsland, where rolling farmland, cool-climate forests, and country towns are welcoming a surge of new residents. Just over 90 minutes from Melbourne and within easy reach of both the snow and the coast, Drouin and Warragul offer bigger blocks, cleaner air, and a cost of living that stretches the budget further than many outer-metro suburbs. With well-established rail links, the Princes Freeway, quality schools, and a thriving food scene, it is little wonder this pocket of Victoria has become a favourite for first-home buyers, upsizers, and tree-changers alike.
Episode 8 highlights the region’s featured development:
The episode’s hero community is Lillifield, a new address by Parklea, only minutes from Warragul. Masterplanned for around 1,000 homes over the next decade, Lillifield balances country space with everyday convenience, including a proposed town centre, a retirement village, and a linear reserve that connects neighbourhoods on foot or by bike. Generous lots average about 500 square metres, giving buyers room for a proper backyard, and Parklea’s refined design guidelines, installed corner and rear fencing, and front-yard landscaping rebates help fast-track attractive streetscapes across the estate.
Great land deserves a great home, and the team tours SJD Homes’ award-winning Holland display in Drouin to show what is possible on Gippsland-sized blocks. From flexible, family-friendly floorplans to thoughtful upgrades and a genuine community connection, SJD’s southeast-Victoria focus means local trades, local knowledge and designs that fit the way people live here.
Finance also takes the spotlight this week with Mortgage Domayne, a specialist mortgage broking company helping buyers navigate the complex world of loans and construction finance. By comparing offers from multiple banks and tailoring solutions to individual circumstances, whether self-employed, first-home buyers or families upgrading, Mortgage Domayne helps clients access better rates and more flexible lending. Their expertise in construction loans ensures smoother approvals and fewer surprises during the build process, giving new homeowners the confidence to take the next step.
With developments like Lillifield, trusted builders such as SJD Homes, and expert guidance from Mortgage Domayne, Gippsland’s property market offers a rare mix of value, lifestyle and opportunity. Visit OpenLot.com.au to explore new estates, access market data and take your first step towards life in one of Victoria’s most liveable regions.
Behind the Scenes 🎬
While filming Episode 8 of New Neighbourhoods, we had the chance to see Gippsland from a different angle, the one you don’t usually catch on screen.
Candid Moments: Balancing acts, bursts of laughter, and that genuine joy that comes from seeing what makes a neighbourhood feel alive.
Team Effort: The crew fine-tuned focus and framing while the host delivered lines with easy confidence despite the passing crowds.
New Neighbourhoods is just getting started! Join us every Saturday at 3:30pm on 9Life for the latest communities, lifestyle inspiration, and buyer insights. Missed an episode? Catch up anytime on 9Now and keep exploring with OpenLot.com.au.
