🔍

Barooga

NSW 3644 • Rest of NSW

1,888
Population (2021)
$37,388
Median Income
98.31 km²
Area
$260/wk
Median Rent
RuralRiversideAgriculturalPeaceful

About Barooga

Barooga is a rural locality on the Murray River in the Berrigan Shire of south-west New South Wales, situated on the NSW bank of the river directly opposite the Victorian town of Cobram. With a population of approximately 1,888 and a median age of 46, Barooga is a small, tight-knit agricultural community where farming — including fruit growing, irrigated crops, and cattle — forms the backbone of the local economy. The locality sits at an elevation of 118 metres in the flat Riverina-Murray region, about 280 kilometres north of Melbourne and 650 kilometres south-west of Sydney.

Barooga is best known for its position straddling the NSW-Victoria border with Cobram, effectively functioning as a twin town with shared services, schools, and sporting clubs across the Murray River. The river itself is a major lifestyle drawcard, offering swimming, fishing, water-skiing, and boating, and the area's sandy river beaches attract visitors from across the Riverina region. The Cobram-Barooga Golf Club and local sporting facilities serve as important community hubs, while Cobram's commercial centre provides supermarkets, medical services, and retail just across the bridge.

Barooga falls under postcode 3644 and is governed by Berrigan Council (LGA). For state elections, residents vote in the Murray electorate.

📍 Location

State
New South Wales
Postcode
3644
Urban Area
N/A
LGA / Council
Berrigan
Federal Electorate
Farrer
State Electorate
Murray
Type
Rural
Timezone
Sydney (UTC+10)
Coordinates
-35.91°, 145.70°
Statistical Area
Rest of NSW
Area
98.31 km²
Elevation
118m

🚌 Transport & Commute

Bus Services

  • Regional bus connections via Cobram — Shepparton VIC / regional centres Approx. 1 hr to Shepparton

Commute to Melbourne CBD

Distance
280 km
By Train
No direct rail; drive to Shepparton (~75 km) then V/Line to Melbourne (~2.5 hr) or drive directly (~3 hr)
By Car (Peak)
3-3.5 hr
By Car (Off-Peak)
2.5-3 hr

🛣️ Cobram is the functional twin town across the Murray; Hume Freeway via Shepparton is the main route to Melbourne

Walkability Almost All Errands Require a Car

Barooga is a rural locality where a car is essential; most services are accessed via Cobram across the Murray River bridge

🛒 Supermarkets Nearby

No major supermarkets listed for this suburb.

🎓 Schools

🏛️ Heritage-Listed Places

There is 1 heritage-listed place in or near Barooga, listed on the NSW State Heritage Register.

Old Cobram-Barooga Bridge
Vermont Street, Barooga • SHR #01972

🔍 Crime Statistics

NSW crime data is provided by the Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research (BOCSAR). Use the interactive tool below to explore recorded crime incidents in Barooga by offence type, year and trend.

📊 View Barooga Crime Statistics on BOCSAR ↗

Data source: NSW Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research · Search for "Barooga" under Suburb

🏠 Housing 2021 Census

Median Rent (weekly)
$260
Median Mortgage (monthly)
$1,387
Avg Household Size
2.3 people
Median Age
46 years
Social Housing (% of dwellings)
0.7%

0 state housing + 5 community housing dwellings (ABS 2021 Census)

🎓 Educational Institution Attending 2021 Census

School Sector Breakdown

👥 Demographics

Census 2016
1,817
Census 2021
1,888
▲ 3.9% growth

Population Growth

Gender Distribution (Census 2021)

Income 2016
$31,564
Income 2021
$37,388
▲ 18.5% increase

Income Comparison

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

🌍 Country of Birth 2021 Census

Born in Australia 1,623
Born Overseas 156

Top Countries of Birth (excl. Australia)

  • 1. England 39
  • 2. New Zealand 12
  • 3. Netherlands 10
  • 4. India 9
  • 5. Scotland 8
  • 6. Italy 7
  • 7. Philippines 6
  • 8. Germany 5
  • 9. Chile 4
  • 10. Canada 3

🧬 Ancestry 2021 Census

Top ancestries reported (people may report up to two)

English 849
Australian 759
Irish 264
Scottish 209
Italian 78
German 74
Australian Aboriginal 46
Dutch 24
Chinese 14
Filipino 14

👨‍👩‍👧 Parents' Birthplace 2021 Census

1,419
Both parents born in Australia
208
Both parents born overseas
152
One parent AU, one overseas

🛐 Religion 2021 Census

Christianity
51.4%
No Religion
39.6%
Sikhism
0.5%
Buddhism
0.4%
Islam
0.3%
Hinduism
0.2%

📊 Age Distribution 2021 Census

0-4 years
84 (4.4%)
5-14 years
215 (11.4%)
15-19 years
114 (6.0%)
20-24 years
66 (3.5%)
25-34 years
210 (11.1%)
35-44 years
190 (10.1%)
45-54 years
240 (12.7%)
55-64 years
269 (14.2%)
65-74 years
310 (16.4%)
75-84 years
140 (7.4%)
85+ years
40 (2.1%)

Nearby Suburbs

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Barooga known for? +

Barooga is known for its location on the Murray River opposite Cobram, VIC, forming a popular twin-town community. The area is renowned for its sandy river beaches, fishing, water sports, the Cobram-Barooga Golf Club, and productive irrigated agricultural lands.

How far is Barooga from Melbourne? +

Barooga is approximately 280 kilometres north of Melbourne CBD, making it a 2.5 to 3.5 hour drive via the Hume Freeway and through Shepparton or Cobram.

Does Barooga have public transport? +

Barooga has very limited public transport. There is no direct rail service; the nearest V/Line rail connection is in Shepparton, approximately 75 kilometres to the south. Regional bus services provide some connectivity to nearby towns, but a private vehicle is essential.

What is the population of Barooga? +

According to the 2021 Census, Barooga has a population of approximately 1,888 residents. As a rural locality, its population is spread across a large area of 98 square kilometres along the Murray River floodplain.

Is Barooga a good place to live? +

Barooga offers a peaceful, affordable rural lifestyle on the Murray River, with strong community spirit and easy access to Cobram's services just across the river. It suits families, retirees, and those who value wide open spaces, the river lifestyle, and a slower pace of life far from major cities.

What is the postcode for Barooga? +

The postcode for Barooga, NSW is 3644.