🔍

Myrtleford

VIC 3737 • Rest of VIC

3,285
Population (2021)
$33,956
Median Income
79.67 km²
Area
$250/wk
Median Rent
MountainHistoricRuralAgriculturalMulticultural

About Myrtleford

Myrtleford is a historic alpine town in north-east Victoria, set in the Ovens Valley within Alpine Shire at an elevation of 215 metres, approximately 282 kilometres north-east of Melbourne and 47 kilometres south-east of Wangaratta. With a population of 3,285 and a median age of 50, the town has an established, multicultural character shaped by decades of Italian immigration tied to the region's tobacco farming history — Italian remains the third most common ancestry after English and Australian. Household incomes are moderate at around $1,143 per week, with a strong mix of families, retirees, and agricultural workers.

Myrtleford sits on the Ovens River and serves as a gateway town to the popular tourist areas of Bright (32 kilometres south-east) and Mount Buffalo National Park. The town centre provides everyday essentials including a Coles supermarket, cafes, and local services, while the broader Alpine Shire offers spectacular mountain scenery, cycling trails, and seasonal ski access at Falls Creek and Mount Hotham. Myrtleford's Italian heritage is reflected in its community character and local produce, including hops, chestnuts, and walnuts grown in the fertile valley. A relaxed country town atmosphere and genuine four-season climate attract tree-changers and those who love the outdoors.

Myrtleford falls under postcode 3737 and is governed by Alpine Council (LGA). For state elections, residents vote in the Ovens Valley (Northern Victoria) electorate.

📍 Location

State
Victoria
Postcode
3737
Urban Area
Alpine - Towong - Indigo
LGA / Council
Alpine
Federal Electorate
Indi
State Electorate
Ovens Valley (Northern Victoria)
Type
Urban
Timezone
Melbourne (UTC+10)
Coordinates
-36.58°, 146.74°
Statistical Area
Rest of VIC
Area
79.67 km²
Elevation
215m

🚌 Transport & Commute

Nearest Train Stations

Wangaratta
47 km
N/A (car or V/Line coach required)

Bus Services

  • V/Line coach service — Wangaratta (connecting to Melbourne train) 45-55 min to Wangaratta; total approx 3.5 hr to Melbourne

Commute to Melbourne CBD

Distance
282 km
By Train
Drive or V/Line coach to Wangaratta, then V/Line train to Southern Cross — approx 3.5-4 hrs total
By Car (Peak)
3 hr - 3 hr 30 min
By Car (Off-Peak)
2 hr 45 min - 3 hr

🛣️ Myrtleford is a regional town; most residents work locally or travel to Wangaratta. The Hume Freeway is accessible via Wangaratta.

Walkability Car-Dependent

The compact town centre is walkable for local shops and services, but a car is needed for most destinations beyond the main street

🛒 Supermarkets Nearby

  • Coles
    Clyde Street Myrtleford 3737 VIC

🎓 Schools

🏠 Housing 2021 Census

Median Rent (weekly)
$250
Median Mortgage (monthly)
$1,300
Avg Household Size
2.2 people
Median Age
50 years
Social Housing (% of dwellings)
2.9%

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

🎓 Educational Institution Attending 2021 Census

School Sector Breakdown

👥 Demographics

Census 2016
3,193
Census 2021
3,285
▲ 2.9% growth

Population Growth

Gender Distribution (Census 2021)

Income 2016
$26,312
Income 2021
$33,956
▲ 29.1% increase

Income Comparison

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

🌍 Country of Birth 2021 Census

Born in Australia 2,575
Born Overseas 526

Top Countries of Birth (excl. Australia)

  • 1. Italy 157
  • 2. England 80
  • 3. Philippines 63
  • 4. New Zealand 37
  • 5. Germany 27
  • 6. Netherlands 17
  • 7. Nepal 15
  • 8. Myanmar 13
  • 9. Scotland 12
  • 10. South Africa 11

🧬 Ancestry 2021 Census

Top ancestries reported (people may report up to two)

English 1,202
Australian 1,152
Italian 655
Irish 349
Scottish 342
German 139
Filipino 80
Dutch 69
Australian Aboriginal 35
Chinese 23

👨‍👩‍👧 Parents' Birthplace 2021 Census

1,970
Both parents born in Australia
776
Both parents born overseas
344
One parent AU, one overseas

🛐 Religion 2021 Census

Christianity
55.0%
No Religion
35.6%
Hinduism
1.1%
Buddhism
0.5%
Islam
0.4%

📊 Age Distribution 2021 Census

0-4 years
134 (4.1%)
5-14 years
372 (11.3%)
15-19 years
148 (4.5%)
20-24 years
149 (4.5%)
25-34 years
311 (9.5%)
35-44 years
336 (10.2%)
45-54 years
387 (11.8%)
55-64 years
492 (15.0%)
65-74 years
447 (13.6%)
75-84 years
328 (10.0%)
85+ years
169 (5.1%)

Nearby Suburbs

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Myrtleford known for? +

Myrtleford is known for its long history as the centre of Victoria's tobacco, hops, and nut-growing industry, shaped heavily by Italian immigration from the mid-20th century. Today it is also recognised as a gateway town to the Alpine region, with Bright and Mount Buffalo National Park close by.

How far is Myrtleford from Melbourne? +

Myrtleford is approximately 282 kilometres north-east of Melbourne, making it a 2.75 to 3.5 hour drive depending on traffic and conditions via the Hume Freeway.

Does Myrtleford have public transport? +

V/Line operates coach services connecting Myrtleford to Wangaratta, where passengers can board a train to Melbourne's Southern Cross Station. The nearest train station is Wangaratta, approximately 47 kilometres away. A car is the most practical transport option for locals.

What is the population of Myrtleford? +

Myrtleford had a population of 3,285 at the 2021 Census. The town has a median age of 50 and a notably high proportion of residents with Italian ancestry — a legacy of the region's tobacco and agricultural heritage.

Is Myrtleford a good place to live? +

Myrtleford offers a genuine alpine lifestyle with beautiful mountain scenery, a tight-knit community, and affordable housing compared to Melbourne. It suits those who value outdoor recreation, country living, and the slower pace of regional Victoria, particularly retirees and families seeking a tree-change.

What is the postcode for Myrtleford? +

The postcode for Myrtleford is 3737.