Ben Squires
Money & Banking

20 oddly-named Aussie suburbs

From Humpty Doo to Rooty Hill, we think it’s pretty safe to say no country in the world names places like Australia does. We’ve taken a look at 21 of the most oddly-named Aussie suburbs, and included a little bit of info regarding how much it costs to live there should you feel the need to relocate.

1. Andamooka, SA

Approximately 600km north of Adelaide, Andamooka’s name is derived for the indigenous word for the local salt lake. If you want to live here, the average house price is $98,000.

2. Balaclava, VIC

Taking its name from the Battle of Balaclava that took place during the Crimean War, Balaclava is about 7km south of Melbourne’s CBD and average houses here go for $925,000.

3. Bees Creek, NT

This rural town is about 33 kilometres southeast of the Darwin CBD but fortunately doesn’t attract as much insect life as the name would suggest. Average Bees Creek house price is $615,000.

4. Currimundi, QLD

This idyllic Sunshine Coast suburb is named after the local indigenous name for the area Garrimundi or Girrimundi, meaning “Place of flying foxes”. Houses here are go for an average price of $440,000.

5. Dunedoo, NSW

This small village in central Western NSW has a population of 800 and translates to “swan” in the local indigenous language. Median house price here for potential buyers is $192,500.

6. Eaglehawk Neck, TAS

This tiny Tassie town, known locally as “The Neck”, connects the Tasman Peninsula with the Forestier Peninsula and has a population below 400 people. Average houses are $256,250.

7. Fig Tree Pocket, QLD

This picturesque Brisbane suburb sounds less like a town and more like a baked dessert! Named after the local Moreton Bay fig trees, houses in Fig Tree Pocket go for an average of $875,000.

8. Gooseberry Hill, WA

You can find Gooseberry Hill located on the northernmost high feature of Statham’s Quarry and average houses in this region are going for $760,000 at the moment.

9. Hectorville, SA

This small, middle class suburb located in Adelaide is considered part of the City of Campbelltown. If you want to live here, the average house price is currently sitting at $502,500.

10. Humpty Doo, NT

This small town situated just south of the Arnhem Highway is named after a station called Umpity Doo. Where the station got its name is anyone’s guess! Average house price here is $642,000.

11. Indooroopilly, QLD

Shortened by locals to Indro, Indooroopilly is a take on the local Aboriginal word nyindurupilli, which means “gully of the leeches”. If you want to live here median house price sits at $745,000.

12. Kalamunda, WA

Kalamunda takes its name from two indigenous words: kala meaning “home” and munda meaning “forest”. The town’s motto is “A home in the forest” and median house price is $576,000.

13. Lang Lang, VIC

Don’t check your glasses! Lang Lang is a small town south east of Melbourne which name means “clump of trees” in the local indigenous language. Average houses go for $303,250.

14. Peppermint Grove, WA

The enticing name is associated with the region’s local peppermint trees, but if you want to stay at Peppermint Grove it’s going to cost you! Average house prices sit at $3,550,000.

15. Punchbowl, TAS

Another tiny Tassie suburb! Punchbowl was named after an explorer who had a tumultuous relationship with his crockery (just kidding). Average houses here are roughly $211,500. 

16. Rooty Hill, NSW

Found 42 kilometres west of the Sydney CBD, Rooty Hill is actually named after a hill that featured several tree roots on Norfolk Island. Median house price here sits around $491,000.

17. Springfield, SA

This small suburb is 8km south east from Adelaide’s CBD and is named after an extensive “Springfield” residence from the 1800s. Average house prices here sit at $1,657,500.

18. Watanobbi, NSW

This oddly-named precinct can be found on the picturesque central coast of NSW and if you want to live there the median house price is currently sitting around $343,750.

19. Yallambie, VIC

Home of the Simpson Army Barracks, Yallambie is located about 16km North East of Melbourne’s CBD. If you’re keen to relocate (already!) median house prices are sitting at $521,690.

20. Zeehan, TAS

Zeehan takes its name from the nearby Mount Zeehan, which in turn is named after Abel Tasman’s cargo vessel Zeehaen. If you want to live here, average house values are sitting at $62,500.

Related links:

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Will Australia become a cashless society?

How to spot an online bargain from a scam

Tags:
Finance, Money, Australia, Suburbs