Ashburton

Ashburton is a small residential suburb in the state of Victoria, located some 12 kilometres south-east of Melbourne, the state capital. At the suggestion of former Councillor E. Dillon, a local politician, the area was named after Ashburton Terrace, which was his birthplace in Cork, Ireland. The suburb's estimated population of 7,173 residents occupies a land area of 2.9 square kilometres, making it one of Victoria's more densely populated areas.

Although Ashburton was once located in the Local Government Area of the City of Camberwell, it is now part of the City of Boroondara. The suburb is situated in the State District of Burwood (in the Victorian Legislative Assembly) and the Federal Division of Higgins (in the Australian House of Representatives). The community is surrounded by the suburbs of Ashwood, Burwoon, Chadstone, Glen Iris, Malvern, and Malvern East.

The locale of Ashburton is better known for the Ashburton Forest (a popular local site for picnics), which overlooks Gardiners Creek. Other green spaces and natural reserves that are easily accessible from the area include the Ashburton Park, D. Laver Reserve, Eric Raven Reserve, Warner Reserve, and Watson Park. Residents of the suburban community can easily visit any of these locations for fun and relaxation.

Alternatively, enthusiasts of a variety of sports activities can simply visit some of the clubs and facilities in Ashburton to appreciate the community's local recreational interests. These include Ashburton Bowls Club, Ashburton Pool and Recreation Centre YMCA, Ashburton United Junior Football Club, Ashburton United Soccer Club, Ashburton Willows Cricket Club, Ashburton Women's Soccer Club, Auskick at Watson Park, Solway Basketball Club, and Waverley Falcons.