🔍

Hmas Cerberus

VIC 3920 • Greater Melbourne

1,124
Population (2021)
$56,524
Median Income
15.40 km²
Area
$260/wk
Median Rent
Military BaseHarboursideMornington Peninsula

About Hmas Cerberus

HMAS Cerberus is the Royal Australian Navy's primary training establishment, classified as a Major Urban locality on the Mornington Peninsula in Victoria's Mornington Peninsula Shire, approximately 60 kilometres south-east of Melbourne CBD within Greater Melbourne's statistical area. The base covers over 1,500 hectares on the western shore of Western Port Bay near Crib Point, and has served as a naval training facility since it was commissioned as HMAS Cerberus in 1921. With a 2021 Census population of 1,124 — predominantly naval trainees, service personnel, and support staff — the suburb has a distinctive demographic profile with a median age of just 21 and a male-to-female ratio of approximately 2.5:1.

As an active Royal Australian Navy base, HMAS Cerberus is the home of Navy recruit training and initial employment training for new sailors, and public access to the base is restricted. The resident population is almost entirely composed of ADF personnel and trainees, with households recording an above-average median income reflecting military pay structures. The surrounding Mornington Peninsula offers exceptional natural amenity including Western Port Bay, state parks, and the popular townships of Hastings and Somerville nearby, providing off-base recreation and services for personnel and their families.

Hmas Cerberus falls under postcode 3920 and is governed by Mornington Peninsula Council (LGA). For state elections, residents vote in the Hastings (Eastern Victoria) electorate.

📍 Location

State
Victoria
Postcode
3920
Urban Area
Mornington - East
LGA / Council
Mornington Peninsula
Federal Electorate
Flinders
State Electorate
Hastings (Eastern Victoria)
Type
Major Urban
Timezone
Melbourne (UTC+10)
Coordinates
-38.38°, 145.20°
Statistical Area
Greater Melbourne
Area
15.40 km²
Elevation
17m

🚌 Transport & Commute

Nearest Train Stations

Morradoo Station
2.5 km
30 min
Hastings Station
4.5 km
N/A

Bus Services

  • Peninsula Bus Lines Route 789 — Frankston Station 45-55 min

Commute to Melbourne CBD

Distance
60 km
By Train
Stony Point Line to Frankston (~40 min), then Frankston Line to Flinders Street (~60 min); total ~100 min
By Car (Peak)
60-80 min
By Car (Off-Peak)
50-60 min

🛣️ Base accessed primarily by private vehicle; Stony Point Line operates diesel trains with infrequent services; Frankston is the gateway to city rail

Walkability Almost All Errands Require a Car

HMAS Cerberus is a restricted-access military facility; all civilian services are located in Hastings or Somerville, requiring a vehicle for all off-base needs

🛒 Supermarkets Nearby

No major supermarkets listed for this suburb.

🎓 Schools

No schools listed for this postcode.

🏠 Housing 2021 Census

Median Rent (weekly)
$260
Avg Household Size
3 people
Median Age
21 years
Social Housing (% of dwellings)
12.5%

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

🎓 Educational Institution Attending 2021 Census

School Sector Breakdown

👥 Demographics

Census 2016
1,040
Census 2021
1,124
▲ 8.1% growth

Population Growth

Gender Distribution (Census 2021)

Income 2016
$42,900
Income 2021
$56,524
▲ 31.8% increase

Income Comparison

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

🌍 Country of Birth 2021 Census

Born in Australia 955
Born Overseas 137

Top Countries of Birth (excl. Australia)

  • 1. England 42
  • 2. New Zealand 18
  • 3. India 9
  • 4. South Africa 9
  • 5. Philippines 7
  • 6. Scotland 6
  • 7. Iran 5
  • 8. Turkey 5
  • 9. United States 5
  • 10. Myanmar 4

🧬 Ancestry 2021 Census

Top ancestries reported (people may report up to two)

Australian 600
English 464
Irish 111
Scottish 97
German 48
Italian 43
Australian Aboriginal 41
Dutch 20
Chinese 17
Filipino 16

👨‍👩‍👧 Parents' Birthplace 2021 Census

708
Both parents born in Australia
185
Both parents born overseas
193
One parent AU, one overseas

🛐 Religion 2021 Census

No Religion
62.5%
Christianity
30.3%
Buddhism
0.4%
Hinduism
0.4%
Islam
0.3%

📊 Age Distribution 2021 Census

0-4 years
49 (4.4%)
5-14 years
59 (5.2%)
15-19 years
253 (22.5%)
20-24 years
386 (34.3%)
25-34 years
217 (19.3%)
35-44 years
98 (8.7%)
45-54 years
41 (3.6%)
55-64 years
16 (1.4%)
65-74 years
0 (0.0%)
75-84 years
0 (0.0%)
85+ years
0 (0.0%)

Nearby Suburbs

Frequently Asked Questions

What is HMAS Cerberus known for? +

HMAS Cerberus is the Royal Australian Navy's principal training establishment, known as the home of Navy recruit training in Australia. Commissioned in 1921, it has trained generations of Australian sailors and remains the primary base for initial employment training for new naval personnel.

How far is HMAS Cerberus from Melbourne CBD? +

HMAS Cerberus is approximately 60 kilometres south-east of Melbourne CBD on the Mornington Peninsula, a 50–80 minute drive depending on traffic, or approximately 100 minutes by public transport via the Stony Point Line to Frankston and then the Frankston Line to the city.

Does HMAS Cerberus have public transport? +

The Stony Point railway line runs near HMAS Cerberus, with Morradoo and Hastings stations the closest stops. The line connects to Frankston, where passengers can transfer to the metropolitan Frankston Line to Melbourne CBD. Bus services also connect the area to Frankston, though services are infrequent and a car is the most practical option.

What is the population of HMAS Cerberus? +

According to the 2021 Census, HMAS Cerberus has a population of 1,124 residents, comprised almost entirely of Royal Australian Navy personnel and trainees. The suburb has a uniquely young median age of 21 and a predominantly male population of approximately 804 males to 318 females, reflecting its nature as an active military training base.

Can civilians live at HMAS Cerberus? +

HMAS Cerberus is an active Royal Australian Navy base and public access is restricted to authorised personnel and visitors. The resident population consists of naval trainees, serving personnel, and a small number of support staff and their families residing in on-base accommodation. It is not a conventional residential suburb open to the general public.

What is the postcode for HMAS Cerberus? +

The postcode for HMAS Cerberus, Victoria is 3920, which it shares with Crib Point and other Mornington Peninsula localities.