Five kilometres southwest of Bendigo's city centre, Kangaroo Flat was once a vast bushland inhabited by Eastern Grey kangaroos. The area was originally named 'Yankee Boat Flat', but miners captured kangaroos in the mid-1800s, and the name was changed. The area was popular with Chinese miners and had gold workings as early as 1853 in nearby Crusoe Gully. By the mid-1860s, Kangaroo Flat had churches, schools, a railway station on the Melbourne to Bendigo line and approximately 25 puddling machines for gold mining. In 1873, Crusoe Gully was transformed into the Crusoe Water Reservoir, providing a permanent water supply for Bendigo locals.

After the gold rush

Postwar industry boomed in Kangaroo Flat with Dunlop Belting Factory opening in 1948 and Bradford Cotton Mill (later Rocklea Spinning Mill) opening in 1950. Hazeldene's Chicken Farm was incorporated by 1957. A technical school (1962) and Lansell Plaza Shopping Centre (1979) cemented the area as more than just an outer suburb. Today, Kangaroo Flat has numerous sports clubs, leisure centres with indoor swimming pools, Catholic schools and state primary and secondary schools. It also has motels, hotels and shopping centres that provide many amenities to the city. 

Accessibility and freedom

Kangaroo Flat is surrounded by suburbs that offer a country feel, such as Lockwood, Big Hill, Maiden Gully and Mandurang. This offers versatile living options that encompass all Bendigo has to offer in a neat package appreciated by all residents. The area continues to thrive due to its well-priced properties close to shops and schools and easy commuter access to Melbourne. Read our full suburb profile here.

Contact the Bendigo real estate experts

McKean McGregor are the Bendigo locals. Around here, we're the experts on commercial real estate, property management, and rural property. If you're looking to buy, sell, or rent houses or property in Kangaroo Flat or anywhere in Bendigo, get in touch with our friendly team now to get the ball rolling.