Eltham, Victoria

Eltham Melbourne, Victoria
Aerial photo of Eltham from the south-east
Eltham Location in metropolitan Melbourne
Coordinates	37°42′54″S 145°09′29″E / 37.715°S 145.158°E / -37.715; 145.158Coordinates: 37°42′54″S 145°09′29″E / 37.715°S 145.158°E / -37.715; 145.158
Population	18,162 (2011)
• Density	1,376/km2 (3,564/sq mi)
Postcode(s)	3095
Area	13.2 km2 (5.1 sq mi)
Location	20 km (12 mi) from Melbourne
LGA(s)	Shire of Nillumbik
State electorate(s)	Eltham
Federal Division(s)	Jagajaga
Suburbs around Eltham: Briar Hill Eltham North Research Montmorency Eltham Research Lower Plenty Templestowe Warrandyte

Eltham ( pronunciation ) is a suburb of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, 20 km north-east of Melbourne's Central Business District. Its local government area is the Shire of Nillumbik. At the 2011 Census, Eltham had a population of 18,162.

Eltham is one of the 'green wedge' areas that provide relatively undeveloped, accessible environments within the Melbourne suburban region. These green wedge areas are under constant pressure from developments such as road and freeway expansions, but Eltham has managed to retain many tree-lined streets and leafy reserves. However, the character of the suburb is changing rapidly, with increased road traffic and higher-density housing becoming more common.

Eltham's tourist attractions include the artists colony Montsalvat and the Diamond Valley Railway, the largest ridable miniature railway in Australia.

A reserve for a village at the junction of the Diamond Creek and Yarra River is shown on maps around 1848. By 1851 the first Crown allotments were being subdivided and sold, along with a private subdivision developed by T. M. Holloway, known as Little Eltham. At this time, the town's centre was located around the intersection of Pitt Street and Main Road.

Eltham Post Office opened on 1 February 1854.