🔍

Dunolly

VIC 3472 • Victoria

899
Population (2021)
N/A
Median Personal Income
105.06 km²
Area
N/A
Median Rent
HistoricHeritageRuralGoldfieldsAffordable

About Dunolly

Dunolly is a historic goldfields town in Victoria's Shire of Central Goldfields, located approximately 188 kilometres north-west of Melbourne, 61 kilometres west of Bendigo, and 23 kilometres north of Maryborough. With a 2021 Census population of 899, the town is small but historically significant, sitting on the traditional lands of the Dja Dja Wurrung people across a large locality of approximately 105 square kilometres. Dunolly's wide main street, Broadway, retains much of its nineteenth-century character from the Victorian Gold Rush era of the 1850s and 1860s, giving the town a distinctive heritage charm.

Dunolly is celebrated in Australian history as the site of the Welcome Stranger discovery — the world's largest alluvial gold nugget, found nearby in 1869 — and the town embraces its gold rush heritage with historical sites and local museums. Local amenities include a general store, hotel, primary school, and community facilities, with broader services available in Maryborough to the south or Bendigo to the east. The town's affordable property, relaxed pace, and rich character attract retirees, history enthusiasts, and lifestyle seekers drawn to the charm and open spaces of Victoria's gold country.

Dunolly falls under postcode 3472 and is governed by the Central Goldfields Council (Local Government Area). For federal elections, residents vote in the electorate of Mallee, while state elections fall under the Ripon (Western Victoria) electorate.

📍 Location

State
Victoria
Postcode
3472
Urban Area
N/A
LGA / Council
Central Goldfields
Federal Electorate
Mallee
State Electorate
Ripon (Western Victoria)
Type
Locality
Timezone
Melbourne (UTC+10)
Coordinates
-36.86°, 143.66°
Statistical Area
N/A
Area
105.06 km²
Population Density
9 /km²
Elevation
0m

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🚌 Transport & Commute

Bus Services

  • McHarry's Buslines / regional coach — Maryborough / Bendigo 25–60 min

Commute to Melbourne CBD

Distance
188 km
By Train
No train in Dunolly; nearest V/Line is Maryborough (~23 km south), Melbourne journey ~2h 30min
By Car (Peak)
2h 10min – 2h 40min
By Car (Off-Peak)
1h 55min – 2h 15min

🛣️ Calder Highway via Bendigo is the main route to Melbourne; Bendigo is the closest major regional city (61 km east)

Walkability Car-Dependent

Basic needs can be met in the small town centre, but most errands and services require driving to Maryborough or Bendigo

🛒 Supermarkets Nearby

No major supermarkets listed for this suburb.

🎓 Schools

🚔 Crime Statistics LGA-wide

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

Break & enter (dwelling)
290.1 / 100k
2yr Up 45.8% 10yr Down 28.4%
Motor vehicle theft
152.3 / 100k
2yr Stable 10yr Down 26.2%
Non-FV assault
500.4 / 100k
2yr Up 74.2% 10yr Up 63.7%
Robbery (unarmed)
0 / 100k
2yr — 10yr —
Steal from vehicle
304.6 / 100k
2yr Stable 10yr Down 13.3%
View all offence subgroups for Central Goldfields →

Source: Crime Statistics Agency Victoria

👥 Demographics

Census 2016
0
Census 2021
899
▲ 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 Dunolly known for? +

Dunolly is famous for its rich gold rush history, including the discovery of the Welcome Stranger — the world's largest alluvial gold nugget — found near the town in 1869. Its wide main street, Broadway, and nineteenth-century buildings reflect its heritage character.

How far is Dunolly from Melbourne? +

Dunolly is approximately 188 kilometres north-west of Melbourne CBD, a drive of around 2 hours to 2 hours 40 minutes depending on traffic, typically via the Calder Highway through Bendigo.

Does Dunolly have public transport? +

Dunolly does not have a train station. The nearest V/Line rail service is at Maryborough, approximately 23 kilometres to the south, with trains to Melbourne taking around 2 hours 30 minutes. Regional coach services also connect to Maryborough and Bendigo.

What is the population of Dunolly? +

According to the 2021 Census, Dunolly has a population of approximately 899 residents, a small community in the Shire of Central Goldfields with a locality covering around 105 square kilometres.

Is Dunolly a good place to live? +

Dunolly suits those seeking affordable rural living with a strong sense of history and community. It appeals particularly to retirees, heritage enthusiasts, and lifestyle seekers drawn to Victoria's gold country, though access to major services requires driving to Maryborough or Bendigo.

What is the postcode for Dunolly? +

The postcode for Dunolly is 3472.

Is Dunolly a safe area? +

Crime statistics are recorded at the Local Government Area level. Dunolly is part of the Central Goldfields 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.