Knox Melbourne: 1000 Steps, Knox Shopping Centre, Caribbean Gardens
You’ve had a drink at the Irish, made it up the 1000 Steps and grabbed a cinnamon doughnut from Knox Shopping Centre. But just how much of a Knox native are you?
Outer East
Don't miss out on the headlines from Outer East. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Reaching from the foothills of the Dandenongs to the start of the eastern suburbs — and once known for its sprawling orchards — Knox is home to more than 160,000 people.
With major suburbs including Wantirna South, Boronia and Ferntree Gully, the area is well-known for shopping centre Westfield Knox and fitness spot the 1000 Steps.
According to Knox Council, 46,400 Knox residents were born overseas; 15,300 families have children under 15; and 23,900 residents are at post-retirement age (65 years and over).
See if you know Knox as well as you think you do.
Y ou’ve spotted the Welcome to Ferntree Gully sign
The sign, created by John Frawley, was built for the 1956 Olympic Games to greet visitors to the area. It stood on Burwood Highway for more than 50 years, replaced with a replica in 2014, after it became badly decayed. The old sign takes pride of place at the Frawley Signs’ base in Upwey.
You’ve visited Caribbean Gardens and Market
The land the Scoresby market sits on was originally used as a dairy farm, and in 1966 the owners, the Spooner family, developed it into an outdoor activity park. A decade later they opened the market, starting with fruit and vegetable stalls. Over the years they had regular waterski shows at the lake with rides and attractions.
The market now operates on Wednesdays and Sundays with more than 1000 stalls to explore.
You’ve walked the 1000 Steps
The Upper Ferntree Gully fitness spot has grown in popularity over the years, with about 50,000 people trekking up the steps each year. According to Parks Victoria, the 1000 Steps were believed to be created in the early 1860s when it provided the best access for visitors to the One Tree Hill Summit. The steps officially became known as the Kokoda Memorial Walk in 1997 due to the steep and muddy terrain which gave an impression of the Owen Stanley Ranges in Papua New Guinea. As visitor numbers at the site grew, so did concerns about people parking illegally and rubbish dumping. Many Knox locals also know there aren’t really 1000 Steps at the site — a fitness guru revealed the real number is 776. Social distancing concerns recently forced Parks Victoria to close the steps until June 21.
You’ve questioned the design of the Kubix building
Arguably Knox’s most controversial building, the three-tower apartment complex opposite Westfield Knox caused a stir when it was built, with many not happy with its block design. Concerns over the look of Knox’s high-rise buildings prompted a $50,000 initiative to entice developers to come up with better designs.
You’ve had a vanilla slice from Bayswater Cake Kitchen and a cinnamon doughnut from Royal Donuts
Picking up multiple awards over the years, in many Knox residents’ eyes the vanilla slices at Bayswater Cake Kitchen can’t be beaten. Customer reviews on the store’s Facebook page include “Best vanilla slice we’ve ever had. Perfect pastry, creamy filling and perfect icing on top,” and “They just melt in your mouth — yummo”. If you grew up in Knox, you probably also remember grabbing a cinnamon doughnut from Royal Donuts at Knox Shopping Centre.
The store opened in 1980, and owner Con Scopas and his family have been a hit with customers ever since.
Con said customers had become like family over the years, with many people who visited the store as children, returning in later years with their own children.
You’ve had a drink at the Irish
News that the Seamus O’Toole Irish Pub at Knox Ozone was set to close last year left the pub’s loyal customers shattered. For nearly two decades it has been one of the most popular venues in Melbourne’s outer eastern suburbs. But the operators of the bar issued a statement confirming the venue had been given a reprieve and would continue to operate. The pub is known for its popular Monday night drinks.
You had a game of pool at The Pool Room
The Ferntree Gully institution was open for just over 10 years, closing in December 2011.
Big lines of uni students and local partygoers queued for its Thursday nights with cover band Adam 12.
You remember going to the Swagman
Many people remember celebrating a birthday or milestone at the popular Ferntree Gully restaurant before it burnt down in 1991. The Stylus nightclub was then built on the site.
You swam in the Tupperware pool
The Tupperware site in Ferntree Gully was once home to a swimming pool that was used for swimming lessons by thousands of people living in Knox.
You’ve laughed at the Demak Outdoor Timber & Hardware sign
The Ferntree Gully hardware shop known for its funny nature strip sign hit the headlines last year when it was forced to remove the sign after someone took offence to an innocuous slogan joking about husbands and wives.
Demak Outdoor Timber & Hardware owner Michael Trewin said they had been putting an A-frame sign on the nature strip in front of their Brenock Park Drive business since opening in 1998 and it was popular with the community.
But a complaint was made to Knox Council when the sign’s message said: “My wife said I never listen to her or something like that.” But the business was able to secure a permit from the council and the sign returned.
You think Boronia Mall and Westfield Knox could do with an upgrade
The mall, built in 1973, has hit the headlines many times of the years, thanks to empty shops and its ageing decor. There have been many attempts to revive the mall, including a failed Renew Boronia initiative. But because the shops are all individually owned, an upgrade of the centre has proved difficult.
And customers are still waiting for Westfield Knox to be upgraded. A $450 million upgrade of the centre was announced seven years ago, but work still hasn’t started. New plans were announced last year. Many people have fond memories of visiting old retailers at the centre including the Pink Cadillac cafe and Holly’s restaurant at Kmart.
You’ve skated at Caribbean Rollerama
The Scoresby skating rink opened in 1981 and generations of families have enjoyed pulling on their skates and going for a spin at the centre. Classes for beginners and advanced skaters are held at the rink, and you can also host a party or function.
You’ve watched the footy from the ultimate viewing area
Spectators enjoyed watching the footy in Knox last year from the comfort of a custom-made seating area, complete with three tiers of couches on the back of a trailer.
The brainchild of former Wantirna South Football Club player Dean Papa generated lots of buzz at the Wantirna South versus Knox game.
You go to church
Knox is home to a number of large places of worship, including CityLife Church in Wantirna South, where thousands attend services each week.
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints also has a church at a 2.4ha site in Wantirna South, and Hillsong Church continues to grow in popularity. The Christian church moved from Bayswater to a bigger site in Knoxfield last year.
You’ve got lollies from Santa who visited your street in a CFA truck
The ‘Santa-run’, which sees Santa visiting local streets on board a CFA truck to deliver lollies to children at Christmas, is a much-loved tradition for many families in Knox.
DID WE MISS ANYTHING? TELL US IN THE COMMENTS BELOW
RELATED NEWS: HOW YOU KNOW YOU’RE FROM DANDENONG