🔍

Porepunkah

VIC 3740 • Rest of VIC

1,024
Population (2021)
$81,952
Median Household Income
68.49 km²
Area
$383/wk
Median Rent
AlpineRuralOutdoor LifestyleEstablishedLeafy

About Porepunkah

Porepunkah is a small alpine town in Victoria's northeast, nestled at the foot of Mount Buffalo in the Alpine Shire, approximately 310 kilometres northeast of Melbourne and just 6 kilometres northwest of Bright. With a population of 1,024 and a median age of 46, the community has a well-established, largely Anglo-Australian character with strong ties to the surrounding alpine landscape. The area sits on the Great Alpine Road at an elevation of around 406 metres, offering a cool-climate lifestyle that attracts tree-changers, outdoor enthusiasts, and those seeking a quieter regional pace.

Porepunkah is ideally positioned for access to some of Victoria's premier alpine destinations, including Mount Buffalo National Park, Mount Hotham, and Falls Creek ski resorts. The Ovens River winds through the valley, making the area popular for cycling, fishing, and kayaking, while the nearby Bright township provides shopping, dining, and community services. The locality draws residents and visitors year-round, with the famous Bright autumn foliage in April and the alpine snow season in winter giving the region a vibrant and ever-changing seasonal character.

Porepunkah falls under postcode 3740 and is governed by Alpine Council (LGA). For state elections, residents vote in the Ovens Valley (Northern Victoria) electorate.

📍 Location

State
Victoria
Postcode
3740
Urban Area
Alpine - Towong - Indigo
LGA / Council
Alpine
Federal Electorate
Indi
State Electorate
Ovens Valley (Northern Victoria)
Type
Urban
Timezone
Melbourne (UTC+10)
Coordinates
-36.68°, 146.92°
Statistical Area
Rest of VIC
Area
68.49 km²
Population Density
15 /km²
Elevation
406m

📣 Ad

🏷️ Property Prices June quarter 2025

Median sale prices in Porepunkah for the June quarter 2025. Median sale prices published by the Valuer-General Victoria.

🏡House
$925K
4 sales · ▲ 12.8% YoY

Source: Valuer-General Victoria — Victorian Property Sales Report. Medians are for the latest quarter; the change shown is the official 12-month movement. Suburbs with very few sales in a quarter can be volatile.

🏠 Housing 2021 Census

Median Rent (weekly)
$383
Median Mortgage (monthly)
$1,633
Avg Household Size
2.5 people
Median Age
46 years

🚌 Transport & Commute

Bus Services

  • V/Line coach — Wangaratta / Melbourne (Southern Cross) ~4 hrs to Melbourne

Commute to Melbourne CBD

Distance
310 km
By Train
No direct rail service; V/Line coach to Wangaratta then train (approx 5+ hrs total)
By Car (Peak)
3.5-4.5 hrs
By Car (Off-Peak)
3-3.5 hrs

🛣️ Located on Great Alpine Road; Bright is the main service centre 6km east

Walkability Almost All Errands Require a Car

A car is essential for all daily errands; the township has minimal local services and relies on nearby Bright

🛒 Supermarkets Nearby

No major supermarkets listed for this suburb.

🎓 Schools

🚔 Crime Statistics LGA-wide

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

Break & enter (dwelling)
83.2 / 100k
2yr Down 35.5% 10yr Down 34.6%
Motor vehicle theft
121 / 100k
2yr Up 127.8% 10yr Up 660.9%
Non-FV assault
136.1 / 100k
2yr Down 18.4% 10yr Down 25.6%
Robbery (unarmed)
0 / 100k
2yr — 10yr —
Steal from vehicle
249.5 / 100k
2yr Up 17.5% 10yr Up 213.9%
View all offence subgroups for Alpine →

Source: Crime Statistics Agency Victoria

🎓 Educational Institution Attending 2021 Census

School Sector Breakdown

👥 Demographics

Census 2016
941
Census 2021
1,024
▲ 8.8% growth

Population Growth

Gender Distribution (Census 2021)

Personal Income 2016
$30,576
Personal Income 2021
$40,924
▲ 33.8% increase

2021 Census income breakdown

Personal = median for one earner. Household = all members of a dwelling pooled. Family = related members only. Annual = weekly × 52.

Personal
$40,924 / yr
$787/wk
Household
$81,952 / yr
$1576/wk
Family
$96,720 / yr
$1860/wk

Personal Income Comparison (2016 vs 2021)

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

🌍 Country of Birth 2021 Census

Born in Australia 863
Born Overseas 112

Top Countries of Birth (excl. Australia)

  • 1. England 29
  • 2. New Zealand 14
  • 3. United States 12
  • 4. Scotland 8
  • 5. Germany 7
  • 6. Canada 6
  • 7. Ireland 5
  • 8. Malaysia 5
  • 9. Poland 4
  • 10. Netherlands 3

🧬 Ancestry 2021 Census

Top ancestries reported (people may report up to two)

English 445
Australian 412
Irish 142
Scottish 113
German 62
Italian 50
Dutch 28
French 8
New Zealander 7
Welsh 7

👨‍👩‍👧 Parents' Birthplace 2021 Census

699
Both parents born in Australia
159
Both parents born overseas
115
One parent AU, one overseas

🛐 Religion 2021 Census

No Religion
56.9%
Christianity
34.9%
Buddhism
0.3%

📊 Age Distribution 2021 Census

0-4 years
56 (5.5%)
5-14 years
118 (11.5%)
15-19 years
56 (5.5%)
20-24 years
38 (3.7%)
25-34 years
101 (9.9%)
35-44 years
123 (12.0%)
45-54 years
158 (15.4%)
55-64 years
150 (14.6%)
65-74 years
129 (12.6%)
75-84 years
76 (7.4%)
85+ years
18 (1.8%)

Nearby Suburbs

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Porepunkah known for? +

Porepunkah is best known as a gateway to Mount Buffalo National Park and the wider alpine region, sitting on the Great Alpine Road between Bright and Mount Hotham. The Ovens River valley attracts cyclists, fishers, and kayakers, while the area is popular for autumn foliage tourism in April and ski-season visits in winter.

How far is Porepunkah from Melbourne? +

Porepunkah is approximately 310 kilometres northeast of Melbourne, making it around a 3 to 4 hour drive via the Hume Freeway and Great Alpine Road.

Does Porepunkah have public transport? +

Public transport options are very limited. V/Line coach services run through the region connecting to Wangaratta, but there is no local bus or train service. A private vehicle is essential for day-to-day life.

What is the population of Porepunkah? +

According to the 2021 Census, Porepunkah has a population of 1,024. The community is small and tightly-knit, with a median age of 46 reflecting its appeal to established residents and tree-changers.

Is Porepunkah a good place to live? +

Porepunkah suits those who love alpine landscapes, outdoor adventure, and a relaxed regional lifestyle. It is particularly appealing to cyclists, hikers, and nature lovers, with proximity to Bright providing access to cafes, schools, and shopping without living in a busy town centre.

What is the postcode for Porepunkah? +

The postcode for Porepunkah, Victoria is 3740.

What is the average income in Porepunkah? +

Based on the 2021 Census, the median personal income in Porepunkah is about $787 per week (around $40,900 per year). The median household income is $1,576 per week and the median family income is $1,860 per week.

What is the median house price in Porepunkah? +

As of June quarter 2025, the median house price is $925,000, up 12.8% year-on-year. Figures are based on Valuer-General Victoria — Victorian Property Sales Report.

What is the age profile of Porepunkah? +

The median age in Porepunkah is 46. The largest age group is 45–54 (158 residents, around 15%). Around 22% of residents are under 20 and about 22% are aged 65 or older. (2021 Census)

Is Porepunkah a safe area? +

Crime statistics are recorded at the Local Government Area level. Porepunkah is part of the Alpine 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.

How much is rent in Porepunkah? +

In Porepunkah, the median weekly rent is $383, and the median monthly mortgage repayment is $1,633 (2021 Census).