Originally heavily timbered, with lovely native grasses, orchids and an abundance of bird life, Berwick is situated on black volcanic undulating hills about 50 kilometers south east of Melbourne. Although it has experienced fairly rapid development in recent years Berwick, with its old fashioned library building, prim gardens and distinctive boulevard, retains much of its 19th century English village feel.
Berwick is the gateway to the Dandenong Ranges, Phillip Island, Gippsland and the Mornington Peninsular.
From Berwick you can follow Cardinia Creek north up through the Cardinia Creek Reserve to Emerald Lake, one of the most popular BBQ, picnic and bathing areas in the ranges. Around the lake, which supports paddle boats, waterslides and fishing hire boats, are many walking tracks and bush trails including the 40km trail linking Sassafrass, Gembrook and Cockatoo.
Currently Berwick is known for its boutique shopping, many restaurants, al fresco dinning and gourmet takeaway foods and unique specialty shops.
Berwick was declared a city in 1973 with a view of becoming a satellite to Melbourne. It has recently been incorporated into the larger City of Casey. The City of Casey is Victoria’s largest and fastest growing municipality. It is also the third fastest in Australia behind the Gold Coast and Brisbane City Councils.
Casey covers over 400 square kilometers in area and has five distinct geographic regions.
• Foothills of the Dandenong Ranges ‐ (Lysterfield South, Narre Warren North, Harkaway)
• Residential and Commercial Heart ‐ (Doveton, Endeavour Hills, Hallam, Hampton Park, Narre Warren)
• Urban Growth Area ‐ (Berwick, Narre Warren South, Cranbourne, Lynbrook, Lyndhurst)
• Farm Belt ‐ (Devon Meadows, Clyde, Pearcedale, Five Ways, Junction Village)
• Coastal villages of Western Port ‐ (Tooradin, Blind Bight, Cannons Creek, Warneet)