🔍

Rawson

VIC 3825 • Victoria

296
Population (2021)
N/A
Median Personal Income
6.91 km²
Area
N/A
Median Rent
MountainRuralTourist HubQuietHistoric

About Rawson

Rawson is a small planned township in the Shire of Baw Baw, Victoria, nestled in the foothills of the Victorian Alps at approximately 500 metres elevation, around 145 kilometres east of Melbourne's CBD. The town was purpose-built in the late 1970s to house over a thousand workers and their families during the construction of the Thomson Dam, which was completed in 1983. With a 2021 Census population of 296, Rawson retains its planned layout — featuring a compact shopping centre set within parkland, recreational facilities, and a community school — long after the construction era that created it.

Rawson has reinvented itself as a popular adventure tourism and holiday destination, attracting visitors from Melbourne seeking bushwalking, mountain biking, trout fishing, white-water rafting on the Thomson River, and cross-country skiing in winter. The Rawson Village hotel and bistro, a caravan park, and various accommodation options cater to year-round visitors. The nearby Erica-Thomson Rail Trail and access to the Thomson Reservoir add to its appeal as a gateway to Victoria's alpine high country.

Rawson falls under postcode 3825 and is governed by the Baw Baw Council (Local Government Area). For federal elections, residents vote in the electorate of Monash, while state elections fall under the Narracan (Eastern Victoria) electorate.

📍 Location

State
Victoria
Postcode
3825
Urban Area
N/A
LGA / Council
Baw Baw
Federal Electorate
Monash
State Electorate
Narracan (Eastern Victoria)
Type
Locality
Timezone
Melbourne (UTC+10)
Coordinates
-37.98°, 146.34°
Statistical Area
N/A
Area
6.91 km²
Population Density
43 /km²
Elevation
0m

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🚌 Transport & Commute

Nearest Train Stations

Moe
55 km
N/A (drive required)

Bus Services

  • Limited V/Line coach services — Moe / Warragul interchange ~55 min

Commute to Melbourne CBD

Distance
145 km
By Train
No direct service; drive to Moe then V/Line Gippsland train (~2h 15min total)
By Car (Peak)
2h 15min - 2h 45min
By Car (Off-Peak)
1h 55min - 2h 15min

🛣️ Access via Princes Highway to Moe then Tyers-Thomson Valley Road; remote mountain setting

Walkability Almost All Errands Require a Car

A small planned town with a local mini mart and bistro; most shopping requires driving to Erica or Moe

🛒 Supermarkets Nearby

No major supermarkets listed for this suburb.

🎓 Schools

🚔 Crime Statistics LGA-wide

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

Break & enter (dwelling)
278.9 / 100k
2yr Up 42.1% 10yr Stable
Motor vehicle theft
231.3 / 100k
2yr Up 100.4% 10yr Up 40.8%
Non-FV assault
313.7 / 100k
2yr Down 11.5% 10yr Up 33.3%
Robbery (unarmed)
1.6 / 100k
2yr Stable 10yr —
Steal from vehicle
733.7 / 100k
2yr Up 83.1% 10yr Up 33.0%
View all offence subgroups for Baw Baw →

Source: Crime Statistics Agency Victoria

👥 Demographics

Census 2016
0
Census 2021
296
▲ 0% growth

Population Growth

Gender Distribution (Census 2021)

Personal Income 2016
N/A
Personal Income 2021
N/A
▲ 0% increase

Personal Income Comparison (2016 vs 2021)

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

Nearby Suburbs

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Rawson known for? +

Rawson is known for being a purpose-built town constructed in the late 1970s to house Thomson Dam construction workers, and for its status as an adventure tourism hub. The area is popular with visitors seeking bushwalking, mountain biking, white-water rafting, trout fishing, and cross-country skiing in the Victorian alpine foothills.

How far is Rawson from Melbourne? +

Rawson is approximately 145 kilometres east of Melbourne's CBD, typically a two-hour drive via the Princes Highway through Moe and then the Tyers-Thomson Valley Road.

Does Rawson have public transport? +

Rawson has very limited public transport. Some V/Line coach services connect to the broader Gippsland network, with the nearest train station at Moe approximately 55 kilometres west on the Gippsland Line. A car is highly recommended for visiting or living in Rawson.

What is the population of Rawson? +

According to the 2021 Census, Rawson has a population of 296 residents. The town's population was significantly larger during the Thomson Dam construction in the late 1970s and early 1980s, when it housed over 1,800 people.

Is Rawson a good place to live? +

Rawson suits those who love outdoor adventure and a quiet alpine lifestyle. Its planned layout, community facilities, and proximity to the Thomson Reservoir and alpine high country make it attractive for nature lovers, though its remoteness means limited everyday services and a long commute to Melbourne.

What is the postcode for Rawson? +

The postcode for Rawson is 3825.

Is Rawson a safe area? +

Crime statistics are recorded at the Local Government Area level. Rawson is part of the Baw Baw 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.