🔍

Daylesford

VIC 3460 • Rest of VIC

2,781
Population (2021)
$37,180
Median Income
37.97 km²
Area
$331/wk
Median Rent
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About Daylesford

Daylesford is a charming spa country town in Victoria's Central Highlands, situated approximately 115 kilometres north-west of Melbourne CBD within the Hepburn Shire. With a population of 2,781 at the 2021 Census, the town has an older demographic profile — the median age is 55 — and a notably high proportion of single-person households, reflecting its appeal to tree-changers, retirees, and lifestyle seekers. Housing ranges from historic Victorian cottages to contemporary retreats, with median household incomes below the national average, typical of regional lifestyle communities.

Daylesford is Australia's premier spa and wellness destination, renowned for its natural mineral springs — concentrated around nearby Hepburn Springs — along with boutique hotels, day spas, and a thriving food and arts scene centred on Vincent Street. The Convent Gallery, Lake Daylesford, and the surrounding Wombat State Forest draw weekend visitors from Melbourne year-round, and the area hosts the celebrated ChillOut Festival (LGBTQIA+) and the Daylesford Swiss-Italian Festa. A Coles supermarket serves everyday needs, and the town's strong creative community — artists, writers, and wellness practitioners — gives it a distinctly bohemian, village-gallery atmosphere.

Daylesford falls under postcode 3460 and is governed by Hepburn Council (LGA). For state elections, residents vote in the Macedon (Northern Victoria) electorate.

📍 Location

State
Victoria
Postcode
3460
Urban Area
Castlemaine - Kerang
LGA / Council
Hepburn
Federal Electorate
Ballarat
State Electorate
Macedon (Northern Victoria)
Type
Urban
Timezone
Melbourne (UTC+10)
Coordinates
-37.35°, 144.14°
Statistical Area
Rest of VIC
Area
37.97 km²
Elevation
575m

🚌 Transport & Commute

Bus Services

  • V/Line coach — Melbourne Southern Cross via Ballarat or Castlemaine 2–2.5 hr

Commute to Melbourne CBD

Distance
115 km
By Train
No direct train service; V/Line coach connects via Ballarat (~2–2.5 hr total)
By Car (Peak)
1 hr 30 min – 2 hr
By Car (Off-Peak)
1 hr 20 min – 1 hr 40 min

🛣️ Popular weekend day-trip and escape destination from Melbourne; Midland Highway connects to Ballarat and Melbourne

Walkability Somewhat Walkable

The Vincent Street village centre is walkable for cafes, shops, and services, but a car is needed for most practical errands beyond the town core

🛒 Supermarkets Nearby

  • Coles
    Cnr Albert Street & Bridport Street Daylesford 3460 VIC

🎓 Schools

🏠 Housing 2021 Census

Median Rent (weekly)
$331
Median Mortgage (monthly)
$1,532
Avg Household Size
1.9 people
Median Age
55 years
Social Housing (% of dwellings)
4.2%

35 state housing + 18 community housing dwellings (ABS 2021 Census)

🎓 Educational Institution Attending 2021 Census

School Sector Breakdown

👥 Demographics

Census 2016
2,548
Census 2021
2,781
▲ 9.1% growth

Population Growth

Gender Distribution (Census 2021)

Income 2016
$28,392
Income 2021
$37,180
▲ 31.0% increase

Income Comparison

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

🌍 Country of Birth 2021 Census

Born in Australia 2,049
Born Overseas 529

Top Countries of Birth (excl. Australia)

  • 1. England 145
  • 2. New Zealand 38
  • 3. India 36
  • 4. Nepal 24
  • 5. Italy 23
  • 6. Germany 18
  • 7. United States 17
  • 8. Netherlands 16
  • 9. South Africa 15
  • 10. China 13

🧬 Ancestry 2021 Census

Top ancestries reported (people may report up to two)

English 1,196
Australian 740
Irish 491
Scottish 452
Italian 150
German 132
Dutch 59
Chinese 46
Polish 26
Greek 24

👨‍👩‍👧 Parents' Birthplace 2021 Census

1,583
Both parents born in Australia
655
Both parents born overseas
305
One parent AU, one overseas

🛐 Religion 2021 Census

No Religion
53.1%
Christianity
31.8%
Hinduism
1.6%
Buddhism
1.5%
Judaism
0.4%
Sikhism
0.3%
Islam
0.2%

📊 Age Distribution 2021 Census

0-4 years
88 (3.2%)
5-14 years
227 (8.2%)
15-19 years
95 (3.4%)
20-24 years
61 (2.2%)
25-34 years
254 (9.1%)
35-44 years
268 (9.6%)
45-54 years
368 (13.2%)
55-64 years
552 (19.8%)
65-74 years
492 (17.7%)
75-84 years
251 (9.0%)
85+ years
124 (4.5%)

Nearby Suburbs

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Daylesford known for? +

Daylesford is renowned as Australia's spa country capital, famous for its natural mineral springs (centred around Hepburn Springs), boutique day spas, the Convent Gallery, Lake Daylesford, and a vibrant arts, food, and wellness community. It's a favourite weekend retreat for Melburnians.

How far is Daylesford from Melbourne CBD? +

Daylesford is approximately 115 kilometres north-west of Melbourne CBD, making it roughly a 1.5 to 2 hour drive depending on traffic and route.

Does Daylesford have public transport? +

Daylesford has V/Line coach services connecting it to Melbourne via Ballarat or Castlemaine, with a journey of around 2 to 2.5 hours. There is no rail service directly to Daylesford; the nearest train station is Ballarat, approximately 50 kilometres south-east.

What is the population of Daylesford? +

According to the 2021 Census, Daylesford has a population of 2,781. The town has grown from 2,548 in 2016, reflecting continued interest from tree-changers and lifestyle migrants from Melbourne.

Is Daylesford a good place to live? +

Daylesford suits those seeking a slower-paced, creative, and wellness-oriented lifestyle in a beautiful regional setting. It appeals strongly to retirees, artists, and remote workers, though household incomes are below average and commuting to Melbourne daily is impractical.

What is the postcode for Daylesford? +

The postcode for Daylesford is 3460.