🔍

Casterton

VIC 3311 • Rest of VIC

1,673
Population (2021)
$27,196
Median Income
226.79 km²
Area
$160/wk
Median Rent
RuralRetiree-HavenAgriculturalRiversideAffordable

About Casterton

Casterton is a rural town in Victoria's far south-west, situated along the Glenelg River approximately 360 kilometres west of Melbourne within the Glenelg Shire. Covering a large area of nearly 227 square kilometres, it serves as the commercial and service hub for the surrounding pastoral district, with a population of 1,673. The community has a distinctly older profile — with a median age of 58 — and is predominantly Australian-born with deep English, Irish, and Scottish heritage, reflecting the area's long history of pastoral settlement.

Casterton is internationally recognised as the birthplace of the Australian Kelpie working dog, and the annual Kelpie Muster and Working Dog Auction draws visitors from across Australia each May. The town features essential services including schools, a hospital, supermarkets, and local shops along its main street, alongside access to the scenic Glenelg River for fishing and canoeing. Housing is exceptionally affordable — with median weekly rents of just $160 — making it attractive to those seeking a rural lifestyle or semi-retirement in a close-knit agricultural community in the Southern Grampians and Wimmera region.

Casterton falls under postcode 3311 and is governed by Glenelg Council (LGA). For state elections, residents vote in the Lowan (Western Victoria) electorate.

📍 Location

State
Victoria
Postcode
3311
Urban Area
N/A
LGA / Council
Glenelg
Federal Electorate
Wannon
State Electorate
Lowan (Western Victoria)
Type
Rural
Timezone
Melbourne (UTC+10)
Coordinates
-37.60°, 141.33°
Statistical Area
Rest of VIC
Area
226.79 km²
Elevation
146m

🚌 Transport & Commute

Bus Services

  • V/Line coach — Hamilton / Portland / Melbourne ~1 hr to Hamilton, ~4.5 hrs to Melbourne

Commute to Melbourne CBD

Distance
360 km
By Train
No direct train service; V/Line coach to Hamilton then train to Melbourne (~5.5 hrs total)
By Car (Peak)
4 hrs
By Car (Off-Peak)
3 hrs 45 min

🛣️ Hamilton is the nearest regional city with full services; the Henty Highway provides the main road connection east

Walkability Car-Dependent

Most errands require a car; the compact town centre is walkable for residents living nearby, but the surrounding rural area is entirely car-dependent

🛒 Supermarkets Nearby

No major supermarkets listed for this suburb.

🎓 Schools

🏠 Housing 2021 Census

Median Rent (weekly)
$160
Median Mortgage (monthly)
$700
Avg Household Size
1.9 people
Median Age
58 years
Social Housing (% of dwellings)
0.4%

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

🎓 Educational Institution Attending 2021 Census

School Sector Breakdown

👥 Demographics

Census 2016
1,668
Census 2021
1,673
▲ 0.3% growth

Population Growth

Gender Distribution (Census 2021)

Income 2016
$24,076
Income 2021
$27,196
▲ 13.0% increase

Income Comparison

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

🌍 Country of Birth 2021 Census

Born in Australia 1,395
Born Overseas 163

Top Countries of Birth (excl. Australia)

  • 1. England 38
  • 2. New Zealand 31
  • 3. India 20
  • 4. Nepal 11
  • 5. Netherlands 7
  • 6. South Africa 7
  • 7. Philippines 5
  • 8. United States 5
  • 9. Zimbabwe 4
  • 10. China 3

🧬 Ancestry 2021 Census

Top ancestries reported (people may report up to two)

English 731
Australian 701
Irish 230
Scottish 198
German 65
Australian Aboriginal 25
Dutch 20
Indian 20
Italian 14
Maori 14

👨‍👩‍👧 Parents' Birthplace 2021 Census

1,251
Both parents born in Australia
198
Both parents born overseas
101
One parent AU, one overseas

🛐 Religion 2021 Census

Christianity
50.1%
No Religion
40.0%
Hinduism
1.1%
Sikhism
0.4%
Buddhism
0.4%

📊 Age Distribution 2021 Census

0-4 years
57 (3.4%)
5-14 years
129 (7.7%)
15-19 years
69 (4.1%)
20-24 years
67 (4.0%)
25-34 years
129 (7.7%)
35-44 years
111 (6.6%)
45-54 years
164 (9.8%)
55-64 years
308 (18.4%)
65-74 years
301 (18.0%)
75-84 years
226 (13.5%)
85+ years
110 (6.6%)

Nearby Suburbs

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Casterton known for? +

Casterton is internationally recognised as the birthplace of the Australian Kelpie working dog. The town hosts the annual Kelpie Muster and Working Dog Auction each May, attracting buyers and enthusiasts from across Australia. It is also known for its scenic Glenelg River setting and pastoral heritage.

How far is Casterton from Melbourne CBD? +

Casterton is approximately 360 kilometres west of Melbourne, making it a drive of around 3 hours 45 minutes to 4 hours. Hamilton, the nearest regional city with a broader range of services, is about 55 kilometres to the east.

Does Casterton have public transport? +

Casterton has no local rail service. V/Line coach services connect the town to Hamilton and Melbourne, though services are limited and infrequent. A car is the most practical — and for most residents, the only — transport option.

What is the population of Casterton? +

According to the 2021 Census, Casterton has a population of 1,673. The town has a high median age of 58, reflecting an older, established community typical of many rural Victorian towns.

Is Casterton a good place to live? +

Casterton offers an extremely affordable, peaceful rural lifestyle with a strong community spirit and natural beauty along the Glenelg River. It suits retirees, farmers, and those seeking to escape city life, though limited services and the distance from Melbourne mean a car and some self-sufficiency are essential.

What is the postcode for Casterton? +

The postcode for Casterton, VIC is 3311.