🔍

Clunes

VIC 3370 • Rest of VIC

1,844
Population (2021)
$26,156
Median Income
150.60 km²
Area
$220/wk
Median Rent
RuralHistoricHeritageTourist HubAffordable

About Clunes

Clunes is a historic rural town in Victoria's Central Highlands, situated approximately 36 kilometres north of Ballarat and 139 kilometres from Melbourne, within the Shire of Hepburn. With a population of 1,844 spread across a large locality of around 150 square kilometres, it is a characterful regional centre known for its well-preserved 19th-century streetscape and gold rush heritage, as the site of Victoria's first registered gold discovery in 1850. The town has a noticeably older population with a median age of 51, attracting those drawn to its historic character and relaxed rural lifestyle.

Clunes has built a strong tourism identity over recent decades, most notably through its annual Clunes Booktown Festival, launched in 2007, which fills the historic main street with over ten book shops and draws visitors from across Australia. The town also has notable film heritage — scenes from the original Mad Max (1979) were filmed in and around Clunes — and a Wesley College campus adds an educational dimension to the community. With a median rent of just $220 per week, Clunes attracts tree-changers and those seeking an affordable, heritage-rich lifestyle within reach of Ballarat's services and the mineral springs country of nearby Daylesford and Hepburn Springs.

Clunes falls under postcode 3370 and is governed by Hepburn Council (LGA). For state elections, residents vote in the Ripon (Western Victoria) electorate.

📍 Location

State
Victoria
Postcode
3370
Urban Area
N/A
LGA / Council
Hepburn
Federal Electorate
Ballarat
State Electorate
Ripon (Western Victoria)
Type
Rural
Timezone
Melbourne (UTC+10)
Coordinates
-37.29°, 143.79°
Statistical Area
Rest of VIC
Area
150.60 km²
Elevation
331m

🚌 Transport & Commute

Nearest Train Stations

Clunes
0.5 km
6 min

Bus Services

  • Limited regional services — Ballarat Approx. 40-50 min

Commute to Melbourne CBD

Distance
139 km
By Train
No direct service; change at Ballarat (total approx. 2h+ with connections)
By Car (Peak)
1h 40min - 2h
By Car (Off-Peak)
1h 30min - 1h 45min

🛣️ Ballarat is 36km south; car is the most practical transport option for most residents

Walkability Car-Dependent

The historic main street provides limited local services, but most errands and commuting require a car

🛒 Supermarkets Nearby

No major supermarkets listed for this suburb.

🎓 Schools

🏠 Housing 2021 Census

Median Rent (weekly)
$220
Median Mortgage (monthly)
$1,127
Avg Household Size
2.2 people
Median Age
51 years

🎓 Educational Institution Attending 2021 Census

School Sector Breakdown

👥 Demographics

Census 2016
1,728
Census 2021
1,844
▲ 6.7% growth

Population Growth

Gender Distribution (Census 2021)

Income 2016
$23,348
Income 2021
$26,156
▲ 12.0% increase

Income Comparison

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

🌍 Country of Birth 2021 Census

Born in Australia 1,459
Born Overseas 262

Top Countries of Birth (excl. Australia)

  • 1. England 89
  • 2. New Zealand 33
  • 3. Netherlands 16
  • 4. Scotland 13
  • 5. Germany 12
  • 6. United States 10
  • 7. Chile 5
  • 8. Croatia 5
  • 9. Hong Kong 5
  • 10. Ireland 5

🧬 Ancestry 2021 Census

Top ancestries reported (people may report up to two)

English 790
Australian 721
Irish 252
Scottish 238
German 83
Italian 57
Dutch 50
Australian Aboriginal 46
Maltese 33
Chinese 25

👨‍👩‍👧 Parents' Birthplace 2021 Census

1,204
Both parents born in Australia
331
Both parents born overseas
189
One parent AU, one overseas

🛐 Religion 2021 Census

No Religion
52.5%
Christianity
37.0%
Buddhism
1.4%
Islam
0.2%

📊 Age Distribution 2021 Census

0-4 years
97 (5.3%)
5-14 years
164 (8.9%)
15-19 years
83 (4.5%)
20-24 years
67 (3.6%)
25-34 years
147 (8.0%)
35-44 years
197 (10.7%)
45-54 years
260 (14.1%)
55-64 years
328 (17.8%)
65-74 years
302 (16.4%)
75-84 years
149 (8.1%)
85+ years
50 (2.7%)

Nearby Suburbs

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Clunes known for? +

Clunes is best known as the site of Victoria's first registered gold discovery in 1850 and for hosting the annual Clunes Booktown Festival, which transforms the historic main street into a celebration of books and reading each year. The town's well-preserved Victorian streetscape has also made it a popular film location, including the original Mad Max (1979).

How far is Clunes from Ballarat? +

Clunes is approximately 36 kilometres north of Ballarat, roughly a 35–45 minute drive via the Midland Highway.

Does Clunes have public transport? +

Clunes has a railway station with very limited V/Line services on the Maryborough corridor; a car is the most practical way to travel to and from the town for most journeys. Regional bus connections to Ballarat are also limited.

What is the population of Clunes? +

According to the 2021 Census, Clunes has a population of 1,844 people, spread across a large rural locality of approximately 150 square kilometres. The median age of 51 reflects its appeal to older residents and retirees.

Is Clunes a good place to live? +

Clunes suits those seeking a quiet, heritage-rich rural lifestyle with low median rents and a strong sense of community. It appeals particularly to retirees, creatives, and those wanting a tree-change within reasonable reach of Ballarat's services and the Hepburn Shire's mineral springs country.

What is the postcode for Clunes? +

The postcode for Clunes is 3370.