🔍

Mount Barker

WA 6324 • Rest of WA

2,855
Population (2021)
$31,304
Median Income
489.75 km²
Area
$225/wk
Median Rent
RuralAgriculturalWine RegionAffordablePeaceful

About Mount Barker

Mount Barker is a regional service town in Western Australia's Great Southern region, approximately 360 kilometres south-east of Perth CBD within the Shire of Plantagenet. The 2021 Census recorded a population of 2,855, with the town serving as the administrative and commercial hub for the surrounding agricultural district — an area renowned for cool-climate wine production under the Mount Barker wine appellation. With a median age of 48 and a notably diverse population that includes a significant Afghan-born community, Mount Barker has evolved from a pastoral service town into a more cosmopolitan Great Southern community.

Mount Barker is positioned between two of WA's most spectacular national parks — the Porongurup Range and the Stirling Range — making it a natural base for bushwalking, rock climbing, and nature tourism in one of the state's most scenic regions. The town's main street provides essential retail, health, and community services for the broader Plantagenet Shire, and its several wineries and cellar doors have added a tourism dimension to the local economy. Housing is highly affordable, with median rents of $225 per week and mortgage repayments among the lowest in regional WA; Albany, the nearest regional city, is approximately 55 kilometres south on the Albany Highway.

Mount Barker falls under postcode 6324 and is governed by Plantagenet Council (LGA). For state elections, residents vote in the Albany electorate.

📍 Location

State
Western Australia
Postcode
6324
Urban Area
Denmark - Plantagenet
LGA / Council
Plantagenet
Federal Electorate
O'connor
State Electorate
Albany
Type
Urban
Timezone
Perth (UTC+8)
Coordinates
-34.62°, 117.64°
Statistical Area
Rest of WA
Area
489.75 km²
Elevation
291m

🚌 Transport & Commute

Bus Services

  • Transwa GS1 / GS2 coach — Perth (East Perth) and Albany Approx 4h to Perth; 45 min to Albany

Commute to Perth CBD

Distance
360 km
By Train
No rail service; Transwa coach to Perth takes approximately 4 hours
By Car (Peak)
3h 30min - 4h
By Car (Off-Peak)
3h 15min - 3h 45min

🛣️ Albany Highway connects to Albany (55km south) and Perth; Albany is the primary regional centre for major services

Walkability Car-Dependent

Most errands require a car, though the compact town centre provides basic services within walking distance for those near the main street

🛒 Supermarkets Nearby

No major supermarkets listed for this suburb.

🎓 Schools

🏠 Housing 2021 Census

Median Rent (weekly)
$225
Median Mortgage (monthly)
$1,226
Avg Household Size
2.4 people
Median Age
48 years
Social Housing (% of dwellings)
5.5%

35 state housing + 22 community housing dwellings (ABS 2021 Census)

🎓 Educational Institution Attending 2021 Census

School Sector Breakdown

👥 Demographics

Census 2016
2,741
Census 2021
2,855
▲ 4.2% growth

Population Growth

Gender Distribution (Census 2021)

Income 2016
$27,768
Income 2021
$31,304
▲ 12.7% increase

Income Comparison

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

🌍 Country of Birth 2021 Census

Born in Australia 1,932
Born Overseas 538

Top Countries of Birth (excl. Australia)

  • 1. England 184
  • 2. Afghanistan 77
  • 3. New Zealand 53
  • 4. Philippines 33
  • 5. South Africa 23
  • 6. Scotland 22
  • 7. Germany 18
  • 8. Netherlands 12
  • 9. Wales 11
  • 10. United States 8

🧬 Ancestry 2021 Census

Top ancestries reported (people may report up to two)

English 1,295
Australian 1,079
Scottish 308
Irish 245
Australian Aboriginal 111
German 96
Dutch 57
Italian 49
Filipino 41
Welsh 27

👨‍👩‍👧 Parents' Birthplace 2021 Census

1,489
Both parents born in Australia
659
Both parents born overseas
338
One parent AU, one overseas

🛐 Religion 2021 Census

No Religion
44.4%
Christianity
36.4%
Islam
3.6%
Buddhism
0.5%
Hinduism
0.2%

📊 Age Distribution 2021 Census

0-4 years
142 (5.0%)
5-14 years
357 (12.5%)
15-19 years
178 (6.2%)
20-24 years
106 (3.7%)
25-34 years
249 (8.7%)
35-44 years
289 (10.1%)
45-54 years
367 (12.9%)
55-64 years
455 (15.9%)
65-74 years
413 (14.5%)
75-84 years
192 (6.7%)
85+ years
98 (3.4%)

Nearby Suburbs

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Mount Barker known for? +

Mount Barker is best known as a cool-climate wine region — the Mount Barker wine appellation produces highly regarded riesling, shiraz, and cabernet sauvignon. The town is also a gateway to the Porongurup Range and Stirling Range national parks, which draw bushwalkers and nature tourists year-round.

How far is Mount Barker from Perth? +

Mount Barker is approximately 360 kilometres south-east of Perth CBD, typically a 3.5–4 hour drive via the Albany Highway. Albany, the nearest regional city, is approximately 55 kilometres south.

Does Mount Barker have public transport? +

Mount Barker is served by Transwa coach services connecting the town to Perth (approximately 4 hours) and Albany (approximately 45 minutes). There is no passenger rail service; a car is the most practical form of daily transport.

What is the population of Mount Barker? +

According to the 2021 Census, Mount Barker has a population of 2,855, up from 2,741 in 2016. The town has a diverse community with a median age of 48, including a notable Afghan-born population.

Is Mount Barker a good place to live? +

Mount Barker offers an affordable, peaceful lifestyle in one of WA's most scenic regions, surrounded by national parks and world-class cool-climate wineries. It suits those seeking a rural community with a strong sense of place and natural beauty, though its remoteness from Perth means it best suits those with local employment or who are retired.

What is the postcode for Mount Barker? +

The postcode for Mount Barker, WA is 6324.