The formally recognised traditional owners for the area in which Balwyn North is located are the Wurundjeri people.

[5] A number of farming properties were established along the Yarra River following government land auctions, between 1845 and 1847.

[7] It was a centre for race meetings and gave its name to Harp Road, which was part of a route to Lilydale, used by Cobb & Co.[7] Kew East Post Office opened around 1924.

Opened in December 1925, it is the earliest purpose-built and intact baby health centre in the state.

[9] The notorious 2020 Eastern Freeway truck crash, which received national news coverage, occurred in the suburb.

Longstaff, Leason,[11] McCubbin, Newbury, Frater[12] and Lister[13] Streets are all named after Australian painters.

The Main Yarra Trail, a shared bicycle and pedestrian path, runs along the north side of the freeway.