🔍

Moolap

VIC 3224 • Rest of VIC

1,825
Population (2021)
$32,760
Median Income
34.59 km²
Area
$290/wk
Median Rent
HistoricFamily-FriendlyAffordable

About Moolap

Moolap is a residential and industrial suburb situated on the southeastern shore of Corio Bay, in the City of Greater Geelong, Victoria. The name Moolap derives from the Wathaurong Aboriginal word for the nearby Point Henry, 'moo-laa', thought to mean 'men gathering to go fishing'. With a population of approximately 1,373 at the 2016 Census, the suburb is known for its striking saltworks landscape — the Cheetham Saltworks salt pans, a visually distinctive and ecologically significant wetland site. The suburb has a notable historical connection to the Wills family; politician Horatio Wills settled here in the early 1850s, and his son Tom Wills would go on to co-found Australian rules football.

Moolap offers a mix of residential living with easy access to Geelong's eastern suburbs and the Bellarine Peninsula. The suburb's industrial heritage is reflected in the saltworks site at Point Henry, which has become an important habitat for migratory shorebirds and a destination for birdwatchers. Moolap Primary School serves the local community on Wills Crescent, a street named in honour of the Wills family legacy. Residents appreciate the suburb's proximity to the Bellarine Peninsula, the Geelong Waterfront, and access to Melbourne via the Princes Freeway and the V/Line Geelong line.

Moolap falls under postcode 3224 and is governed by Greater Geelong Council (LGA). For state elections, residents vote in the Geelong (Western Victoria) electorate.

📍 Location

State
Victoria
Postcode
3224
Urban Area
Geelong - Queenscliff
LGA / Council
Greater Geelong
Federal Electorate
Corangamite
State Electorate
Geelong (Western Victoria)
Type
Major Urban
Timezone
Melbourne (UTC+10)
Coordinates
-38.18°, 144.42°
Statistical Area
Rest of VIC
Area
34.59 km²
Elevation
12m

🚌 Transport & Commute

Nearest Train Stations

South Geelong Station
5 km
N/A (drive)

Bus Services

  • Dyson Bus route 30/31 — Geelong CBD / Newcomb 15–20 min

Commute to Melbourne CBD

Distance
75 km
By Train
~1 hr from South Geelong to Flinders St (V/Line)
By Car (Peak)
1 hr 15 min via Princes Freeway
By Car (Off-Peak)
55–65 min

🛣️ Nearest V/Line station is South Geelong (~5 km). Local bus services connect Moolap to Geelong CBD.

Walkability Car-Dependent

Footpaths exist in residential areas but the suburb is semi-industrial. Most residents drive to shopping and services in Newcomb or Geelong.

🛒 Supermarkets Nearby

No major supermarkets listed for this suburb.

🎓 Schools

🏠 Housing 2021 Census

Median Rent (weekly)
$290
Median Mortgage (monthly)
$1,907
Avg Household Size
2.3 people
Median Age
59 years
Social Housing (% of dwellings)
0.4%

0 state housing + 3 community housing dwellings (ABS 2021 Census)

🎓 Educational Institution Attending 2021 Census

School Sector Breakdown

👥 Demographics

Census 2016
1,373
Census 2021
1,825
▲ 32.9% growth

Population Growth

Gender Distribution (Census 2021)

Income 2016
$27,820
Income 2021
$32,760
▲ 17.8% increase

Income Comparison

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

🌍 Country of Birth 2021 Census

Born in Australia 1,435
Born Overseas 269

Top Countries of Birth (excl. Australia)

  • 1. England 73
  • 2. New Zealand 26
  • 3. Italy 20
  • 4. Scotland 17
  • 5. Germany 16
  • 6. Netherlands 15
  • 7. Vietnam 10
  • 8. Malta 9
  • 9. India 7
  • 10. Croatia 5

🧬 Ancestry 2021 Census

Top ancestries reported (people may report up to two)

English 731
Australian 610
Irish 220
Scottish 207
Italian 96
German 72
Dutch 57
Maltese 19
Vietnamese 18
Polish 15

👨‍👩‍👧 Parents' Birthplace 2021 Census

1,117
Both parents born in Australia
331
Both parents born overseas
164
One parent AU, one overseas

🛐 Religion 2021 Census

Christianity
51.1%
No Religion
34.0%
Islam
1.3%
Buddhism
0.8%

📊 Age Distribution 2021 Census

0-4 years
63 (3.5%)
5-14 years
155 (8.5%)
15-19 years
78 (4.3%)
20-24 years
53 (2.9%)
25-34 years
145 (7.9%)
35-44 years
139 (7.6%)
45-54 years
185 (10.1%)
55-64 years
203 (11.1%)
65-74 years
384 (21.0%)
75-84 years
311 (17.0%)
85+ years
117 (6.4%)

Nearby Suburbs

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is Moolap VIC? +

Moolap is a suburb of Geelong, Victoria, located on the southeastern shore of Corio Bay in the City of Greater Geelong, adjacent to Newcomb, St Albans Park, and Leopold.

What is Moolap known for? +

Moolap is best known for the Cheetham Saltworks — striking salt pans that are now an important shorebird habitat — and its historical association with the Wills family, linked to the founding of Australian rules football.

What schools are in Moolap? +

Moolap Primary School on Wills Crescent is the local government primary school. Secondary students typically attend Newcomb Secondary College or other Geelong schools.

How do I get from Moolap to Melbourne? +

The nearest V/Line train station is South Geelong (~5 km), with trains to Flinders Street Station taking approximately 1 hour. By car via the Princes Freeway takes about 1 hour off-peak.

What is the median rent in Moolap? +

Moolap is considered an affordable suburb of Geelong, with rental prices generally below the Geelong median, reflecting its industrial-residential mixed character.