The forest and the first clearings
The land that is now Forest Hill was forested country before European settlers began to clear and cultivate it from the late 1850s. The clearing happened gradually.
The post office for Forest Hill opened on 1 March 1874, when the area was still rural. Substantial residential development began in the early 1950s, spurred on by a rise in population after the war.
“The land that is now Forest Hill was forested country before European settlers began to clear and cultivate it from the late 1850s.”
Mount Pleasant and Parkmore
Mount Pleasant Estate was the first modern subdivision of medium density in the area now known as Forest Hill. It set out 380 lots across Betula Avenue, Eugenia Street and the streets around them, and all were sold by 1960.
The largest residential subdivision was Parkmore Estate. Land there went on sale in 1957, and by 1960 more than 500 homes stood between Jolimont and Canterbury Roads. The project was touted as Australia's most advanced. A private subdivider joined with the Southern Construction Company, which in turn worked with several local real estate agencies.
Parkmore was the first housing estate in Forest Hill to have its roads and drainage made. Buyers could pick from five brick home designs at the outset.
Shops and shopping centres
The Parkmore Shopping Centre also stood on that estate. It began trading around 1959 or 1960, later becoming known as Brentford Square, and was Nunawading's first shopping centre in the modern American style. A smaller strip of shops stood on Springvale Road.
The drive-in shopping centre on Canterbury Road, now Forest Hill Chase, was announced in 1957 and delayed until 1964. The centre was a landmark for the district, with around 200 shops across three levels of retail space in 2025.
Among its major retailers are Coles, Woolworths and Aldi, along with a Hoyts cinema and restaurants. There is also a bowling centre that was formerly an AMF, and a Timezone arcade.
Nunawading, Whitehorse and the suburb today
Until 1994, Forest Hill sat in the City of Nunawading. In December 1994 it became part of the City of Whitehorse, after the former cities of Box Hill and Nunawading were amalgamated.
Forest Hill is predominantly residential, with housing at low to medium density, and it lies 18 km east of the Central Business District of Melbourne.
Timeline
- the late 1850sEuropean settlers begin to clear and cultivate the forested area.
- 1874The Forest Hill Post Office opens on 1 March in a rural area.
- the early 1950sSubstantial residential development begins, spurred by a post-war population rise.
- 1957Land sales begin at Parkmore Estate.
- 1957The drive-in shopping centre on Canterbury Road is announced.
- 1960All 380 lots of Mount Pleasant Estate are sold.
- 1960More than 500 homes have been built at Parkmore.
- c. 1959 to 1960The Parkmore Shopping Centre begins trading, later known as Brentford Square.
- 1964The Forest Hills Drive-In Shopping Centre is delayed until 1964.
- 1994Forest Hill becomes part of the City of Whitehorse.
Living in Forest Hill
Forest Hill is predominantly a residential suburb, with low to medium-density housing. The Forest Hill Chase shopping centre stands on Canterbury Road, with around 200 shops over three retail levels in 2025, and a smaller strip of shops once stood on Springvale Road. The suburb sits 18 km east of the Central Business District, within the City of Whitehorse.
Questions
What is the postcode for Forest Hill?
The postcode is 3131. The suburb is in the City of Whitehorse.
How many people live in Forest Hill?
The population of Forest Hill was 10,780 in 2021.
What is the median age in Forest Hill?
The median age is 42.
What is the history of Forest Hill?
The area was forested and was cleared and cultivated by European settlers from the late 1850s, and its post office opened in 1874. Housing estates took shape in the 1950s and 1960s, and the suburb joined the City of Whitehorse in December 1994.
What is Forest Hill known for?
It is a mostly residential suburb with low to medium-density housing, and it has the Forest Hill Chase shopping centre, with around 200 shops in 2025.