🔍

Bairnsdale

VIC 3875 • Rest of VIC

7,905
Population (2021)
$32,968
Median Income
63.50 km²
Area
$270/wk
Median Rent
Regional CentreAffordableRiversideFamily-FriendlyRetirement

About Bairnsdale

Bairnsdale is the principal town of East Gippsland, located approximately 280 kilometres east of Melbourne on the banks of the Mitchell River. With a population of around 7,500, it serves as the commercial and administrative hub for the surrounding rural region. The town has a predominantly Australian-born population with a mix of families, retirees, and workers drawn to the area's affordable living and natural beauty.

Bairnsdale offers a full range of regional services including shopping centres, medical facilities, schools, and sporting clubs. The town is a gateway to the Gippsland Lakes, one of Australia's largest inland waterway systems, and the surrounding countryside offers fishing, bushwalking, and scenic drives. It attracts a mix of long-term residents who enjoy the relaxed country lifestyle and retirees seeking an affordable, community-oriented place to live.

Bairnsdale falls under postcode 3875 and is governed by East Gippsland Council (LGA). For state elections, residents vote in the Gippsland East (Eastern Victoria) electorate.

📍 Location

State
Victoria
Postcode
3875
Urban Area
Bairnsdale
LGA / Council
East Gippsland
Federal Electorate
Gippsland
State Electorate
Gippsland East (Eastern Victoria)
Type
Urban
Timezone
Melbourne (UTC+10)
Coordinates
-37.85°, 147.58°
Statistical Area
Rest of VIC
Area
63.50 km²
Elevation
19m

🚌 Transport & Commute

Nearest Train Stations

Bairnsdale Station
0.5 km
6 min

Bus Services

  • Bairnsdale Town Bus — Local loop via shopping centres 15–25 min
  • V/Line Coach — Lakes Entrance, Orbost, Cann River 30 min – 3 hr

Commute to Melbourne CBD

Distance
280 km
By Train
3 hr 40 min (V/Line)
By Car (Peak)
3 hr 30 min
By Car (Off-Peak)
3 hr 10 min

🛣️ V/Line Bairnsdale line runs 3–4 services daily to Southern Cross

Walkability Somewhat Walkable

Town centre amenities are accessible on foot but outer areas require a car

🛒 Supermarkets Nearby

  • Coles
    Main Street Bairnsdale 3875 VIC
  • Woolworths
    146 Nicholson Street Bairnsdale 3875 VIC

🎓 Schools

🏠 Housing 2021 Census

Median Rent (weekly)
$270
Median Mortgage (monthly)
$1,192
Avg Household Size
2.2 people
Median Age
44 years
Social Housing (% of dwellings)
6.6%

154 state housing + 63 community housing dwellings (ABS 2021 Census)

🎓 Educational Institution Attending 2021 Census

School Sector Breakdown

👥 Demographics

Census 2016
7,580
Census 2021
7,905
▲ 4.3% growth

Population Growth

Gender Distribution (Census 2021)

Income 2016
$28,340
Income 2021
$32,968
▲ 16.3% increase

Income Comparison

📊 Population: ABS Census 2021
💰 Income: ABS Census 2021

🌍 Country of Birth 2021 Census

Born in Australia 6,349
Born Overseas 927

Top Countries of Birth (excl. Australia)

  • 1. England 203
  • 2. Philippines 94
  • 3. New Zealand 61
  • 4. India 54
  • 5. Vietnam 43
  • 6. Thailand 38
  • 7. Malaysia 37
  • 8. Netherlands 33
  • 9. Italy 31
  • 10. Germany 27

🧬 Ancestry 2021 Census

Top ancestries reported (people may report up to two)

English 3,214
Australian 3,176
Scottish 809
Irish 762
Australian Aboriginal 449
German 318
Italian 298
Dutch 156
Filipino 118
Chinese 90

👨‍👩‍👧 Parents' Birthplace 2021 Census

5,381
Both parents born in Australia
1,169
Both parents born overseas
699
One parent AU, one overseas

🛐 Religion 2021 Census

No Religion
47.4%
Christianity
40.2%
Buddhism
1.0%
Islam
0.6%
Hinduism
0.6%
Sikhism
0.4%

📊 Age Distribution 2021 Census

0-4 years
447 (5.7%)
5-14 years
894 (11.3%)
15-19 years
396 (5.0%)
20-24 years
439 (5.6%)
25-34 years
1,002 (12.7%)
35-44 years
817 (10.3%)
45-54 years
872 (11.0%)
55-64 years
1,021 (12.9%)
65-74 years
978 (12.4%)
75-84 years
727 (9.2%)
85+ years
318 (4.0%)

Nearby Suburbs