🔍

Darnum

VIC 3822 • Victoria

759
Population (2021)
N/A
Median Personal Income
38.35 km²
Area
N/A
Median Rent
RuralAgriculturalHistoricDairy Farming

About Darnum

Darnum is a small dairy farming town in West Gippsland, Victoria, located approximately 110 kilometres east of Melbourne and around 10 kilometres from the regional centre of Warragul, within the Shire of Baw Baw. Nestled between the Great Dividing Range and the Strzelecki Ranges, the locality covers around 38 square kilometres of productive agricultural land with the Moe River meandering along its edge. With a 2021 Census population of 759, Darnum is a close-knit rural community centred on the dairy industry.

The town has a rich history dating back to the 1880s railway era and retains its heritage character through landmarks like the historic Darnum Butter Factory overlooking the Moe River and a large stump commemorating the original timber mill. Today Darnum's economy revolves around dairy farming, with major processor Fonterra having a notable presence in the area. Warragul provides the nearest comprehensive shopping, schooling, and services, while the Gippsland railway line makes Melbourne accessible by train. The surrounding hills and pastoral landscape attract those seeking a genuine country lifestyle within reach of Melbourne.

Darnum falls under postcode 3822 and is governed by the Baw Baw Council (Local Government Area). For federal elections, residents vote in the electorate of Monash, while state elections fall under the Narracan (Eastern Victoria) electorate.

📍 Location

State
Victoria
Postcode
3822
Urban Area
N/A
LGA / Council
Baw Baw
Federal Electorate
Monash
State Electorate
Narracan (Eastern Victoria)
Type
Locality
Timezone
Melbourne (UTC+10)
Coordinates
-38.19°, 145.99°
Statistical Area
N/A
Area
38.35 km²
Population Density
20 /km²
Elevation
0m

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🚌 Transport & Commute

Nearest Train Stations

Warragul
10 km
N/A — car required

Bus Services

  • Local school and community transport — Warragul 15 min

Commute to Melbourne CBD

Distance
110 km
By Train
V/Line from Warragul to Melbourne Southern Cross (~1 hr 40 min)
By Car (Peak)
1 hr 45 min – 2 hr 15 min
By Car (Off-Peak)
1 hr 20 min – 1 hr 40 min

🛣️ Princes Highway (M1) is the main road corridor; drive to Warragul for V/Line train to Melbourne

Walkability Almost All Errands Require a Car

Darnum is a rural town with no retail precinct; all shopping and services require driving to Warragul

🛒 Supermarkets Nearby

No major supermarkets listed for this suburb.

🎓 Schools

🚔 Crime Statistics LGA-wide

These are the latest rates for the Baw Baw Local Government Area, which contains Darnum. Rates are per 100,000 residents for the year ending September 2025; trends compare 2 and 10 year periods.

Break & enter (dwelling)
278.9 / 100k
2yr Up 42.1% 10yr Stable
Motor vehicle theft
231.3 / 100k
2yr Up 100.4% 10yr Up 40.8%
Non-FV assault
313.7 / 100k
2yr Down 11.5% 10yr Up 33.3%
Robbery (unarmed)
1.6 / 100k
2yr Stable 10yr —
Steal from vehicle
733.7 / 100k
2yr Up 83.1% 10yr Up 33.0%
View all offence subgroups for Baw Baw →

Source: Crime Statistics Agency Victoria

👥 Demographics

Census 2016
0
Census 2021
759
▲ 0% growth

Population Growth

Gender Distribution (Census 2021)

Personal Income 2016
N/A
Personal Income 2021
N/A
▲ 0% increase

Personal Income Comparison (2016 vs 2021)

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

Nearby Suburbs

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Darnum known for? +

Darnum is known for its dairy farming heritage, the historic Darnum Butter Factory, and its setting between the Great Dividing Range and Strzelecki Ranges along the Moe River. The town's name comes from a Boonwurrung word meaning parrot or rosella, reflecting its Indigenous heritage.

How far is Darnum from Melbourne CBD? +

Darnum is approximately 110 kilometres east of Melbourne CBD, a drive of around 1 hour 20–45 minutes off-peak via the Princes Highway.

Does Darnum have public transport? +

Darnum itself has no train station with regular passenger services, but the town of Warragul, about 10 kilometres away, is served by V/Line's Gippsland Line with direct trains to Melbourne Southern Cross taking around 1 hour 40 minutes. A car is needed to reach Warragul station.

What is the population of Darnum? +

According to the 2021 Census, Darnum has a population of 759 residents, making it a small rural community in the Shire of Baw Baw.

Is Darnum a good place to live? +

Darnum suits those who value a quiet rural lifestyle surrounded by rolling dairy country and scenic Gippsland hills. It is ideal for farming families or those wanting space and nature while remaining within comfortable reach of Warragul's services and Melbourne by road or rail.

What is the postcode for Darnum? +

The postcode for Darnum is 3822, shared with Nilma, Ellinbank, and other nearby Baw Baw Shire localities.

Is Darnum a safe area? +

Crime statistics are recorded at the Local Government Area level. Darnum is part of the Baw Baw LGA — see the Crime Statistics section on this page for the latest recorded offence rates per 100,000 residents, along with 2-year and 10-year trends.