Kew, one of the most prestigious suburbs in Melbourne, is barely six kilometres east of the city centre, bordered by the Yarra River on its west and north, by Hawthorn to the south and Balwyn to the east.

Once the hunting grounds of the Wurundjeri clan, this area is now characterised by large blocks of land, tree-lined streets and Victorian and art deco mansions.

The City of Boroondara was created with the amalgamation of the cities of Camberwell, Kew and Hawthorn in June 1994.

It tops the Socio-Economic Indexes for Areas compiled by the Australian Bureau of Statistics, scoring higher than all other Melbourne municipal areas. The median house price for 2010 sits at $960,000.

Tim Picken, of Jellis Craig, credits the suburb's appeal to its blue-ribbon education, followed closely by its proximity to the city; though it's not just families that are perusing estate agent windows in the 3101 zone.

With "for sale" signs in the tightly held suburb rare, a family home open day last weekend drew almost 50 interested parties.

Mr Picken explains: "Changes to the rules on borrowing against superannuation has freed up a lot of people. There's been a big influx in mature investors taking advantage of this. Buyer confidence is up and people are feeling good about where the market is heading."

Top ten spots

1 Yarra Bend Park. The largest area of natural vegetation near Melbourne offers all sorts of recreation, such as boating, canoeing, bike riding, golf, fishing and picnicking. Its 16 kilometres of river frontage weaves through a number of inner suburbs, including Kew and Fairfield. The park's tallest slopes offer wonderful views of the city and the Dandenongs.

2 Studley Park Boathouse, Boathouse Road. In a restored historic building (circa 1864) is a gorgeous fine-dining restaurant, casual cafe with a seasonal menu and a kiosk that overlooks a fleet of row boats available for hire. On the banks of the Yarra River, shaded by century-old elm trees, the Boathouse is the oldest operating one of its kind and a true local treasure.

3 Toscano's of Kew at 217 High Street has a fantastic selection of fruit and vegetables, pastas, sauces, jams, yoghurts, nuts, sweets and spices. The greengrocer has been a Melbourne favourite for 60 years.

4 Toot Records, 256 High Street, is a small independent Australian record shop that welcomes serious music lovers to pore over its wares but if they catch sight of your iPod you could be in serious trouble!

5 Leo's Fine Food and Wine, 26 Princess Street. A gourmet supermarket with a huge range of fresh produce, an extensive deli section, bread baked on site and freshly squeezed orange juice as well as everyday necessities.

6 Skinny Dog Hotel, 155 High Street. A pub with everything a pub-goer could ask for: beer garden, pool tables, sports bar, bistro. With just one of the legendary chicken parmigianas, you could feed a family for a week.

7 Court house revival. The campaign by the Kew Historical Society to restore the Kew Court House and Police Station on High Street began in 2006 and has since raised more than $500,000. The building is scheduled to reopen as a community cultural centre sometime in September.

8 Oscar and Wild, 167 High Street, draws fashionistas like moths to a flame. Items by Australian designers (such as Fleur Wood, Tim O'Connor and Ruth Tarvydas) hang temptingly along the walls while handmade jewellery blinks behind glass.

9 Alexandra Gardens, Cotham Road. Established in 1908, this is a vibrant example of a Federation-style garden, complete with ornamental pond and rotunda.

10 Tim's Bookshop Kew, 121 High Street. Loyal locals have kept this family business afloat for 23 years, appreciative of the friendly, book-wormy staff and the genuine sales pitch.