I live 400 m from the rail station, so there is access. I am in New gisbourne. yes it is slightly larger than a suburban block, but really nice. There are other larger blocks around here that are fairly close to the station. Try looking at Hamilton street, or the few roads around there. I am also walking distance to 3 primary schools (catholic, public and Montessori) Also there is a bus that runs from the station in to town, so always an option to take the bus.

I still say go woodend as it is beautiful. we have to stay here as DH must be 8kms from the branch as he is an ambo, so we had limited options in where we could go.

Oh - and Macedon is STUNNING - try looking there.