🔍

Selby

VIC 3159 • Greater Melbourne

1,626
Population (2021)
$46,696
Median Income
6.56 km²
Area
$400/wk
Median Rent
BushlandFamily-FriendlyLeafyQuietCommuter Belt

About Selby

Selby is a quiet bushland suburb nestled in the Dandenong Ranges, approximately 37 kilometres east of Melbourne's CBD within the Shire of Yarra Ranges. Sitting at an elevation of 244 metres among towering mountain ash forests and lush fern gullies, Selby recorded a population of 1,626 at the 2021 Census. With a median age of 40 and a majority of families with children, the suburb attracts those who trade urban convenience for open space, clean air, and a genuine connection to the bush — while remaining technically within Greater Melbourne.

Selby is home to one of the stations on the famous Puffing Billy Railway, the historic narrow-gauge steam train that winds through the Dandenong Ranges and draws visitors from across Victoria. The suburb adjoins Belgrave, just 1 kilometre away, where the Belgrave railway station provides Metro Trains services to Melbourne CBD via the Belgrave Line, and local shops, cafes, and services are easily accessible. Walking tracks through the Dandenong Ranges National Park and surrounding reserves make outdoor recreation a daily feature of life in Selby, and a tight-knit community spirit is a hallmark of this tranquil Ranges enclave.

Selby falls under postcode 3159 and is governed by Yarra Ranges Council (LGA). For state elections, residents vote in the Monbulk (Eastern Victoria) electorate.

📍 Location

State
Victoria
Postcode
3159
Urban Area
Yarra Ranges
LGA / Council
Yarra Ranges
Federal Electorate
Casey
State Electorate
Monbulk (Eastern Victoria)
Type
Major Urban
Timezone
Melbourne (UTC+10)
Coordinates
-37.92°, 145.38°
Statistical Area
Greater Melbourne
Area
6.56 km²
Elevation
244m

🚌 Transport & Commute

Nearest Train Stations

Belgrave
1 km
12 min
Selby (Puffing Billy)
0.5 km
6 min

Bus Services

  • Bus Route 694 — Belgrave Station / Ferntree Gully 10-15 min to Belgrave

Commute to Melbourne CBD

Distance
37 km
By Train
55-65 min to Flinders Street via Metro Trains Belgrave Line from Belgrave station (~1km away)
By Car (Peak)
50-75 min
By Car (Off-Peak)
35-50 min

🛣️ Belgrave station is 1km away with frequent Metro Trains services; Eastern Freeway access via Burwood Highway

Walkability Almost All Errands Require a Car

Car is needed for most daily needs; Belgrave's shops are accessible by short drive or bus but are not easily walkable from most of Selby

🛒 Supermarkets Nearby

No major supermarkets listed for this suburb.

🎓 Schools

🏠 Housing 2021 Census

Median Rent (weekly)
$400
Median Mortgage (monthly)
$1,983
Avg Household Size
2.9 people
Median Age
40 years

🎓 Educational Institution Attending 2021 Census

School Sector Breakdown

👥 Demographics

Census 2016
1,652
Census 2021
1,626
▼ 1.6% decline

Population Growth

Gender Distribution (Census 2021)

Income 2016
$37,960
Income 2021
$46,696
▲ 23.0% increase

Income Comparison

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

🌍 Country of Birth 2021 Census

Born in Australia 1,323
Born Overseas 247

Top Countries of Birth (excl. Australia)

  • 1. England 95
  • 2. New Zealand 16
  • 3. United States 16
  • 4. South Africa 10
  • 5. Germany 8
  • 6. Netherlands 8
  • 7. France 7
  • 8. India 7
  • 9. Japan 6
  • 10. Bangladesh 5

🧬 Ancestry 2021 Census

Top ancestries reported (people may report up to two)

English 697
Australian 672
Irish 224
Scottish 201
German 109
Dutch 74
Italian 66
Hungarian 23
Polish 23
French 21

👨‍👩‍👧 Parents' Birthplace 2021 Census

911
Both parents born in Australia
347
Both parents born overseas
296
One parent AU, one overseas

🛐 Religion 2021 Census

No Religion
66.6%
Christianity
25.4%
Judaism
0.7%
Buddhism
0.6%
Islam
0.2%

📊 Age Distribution 2021 Census

0-4 years
99 (6.1%)
5-14 years
216 (13.3%)
15-19 years
124 (7.6%)
20-24 years
79 (4.9%)
25-34 years
165 (10.1%)
35-44 years
259 (15.9%)
45-54 years
249 (15.3%)
55-64 years
212 (13.0%)
65-74 years
151 (9.3%)
75-84 years
66 (4.1%)
85+ years
12 (0.7%)

Nearby Suburbs

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Selby known for? +

Selby is known for its lush Dandenong Ranges setting and its station on the Puffing Billy Railway — the beloved heritage narrow-gauge steam train that runs through the ranges. The suburb is prized for its towering mountain ash trees, fern gullies, and peaceful bushland lifestyle.

How far is Selby from Melbourne CBD? +

Selby is approximately 37 kilometres east of Melbourne's CBD, a 55–65 minute train journey via the Metro Trains Belgrave Line from nearby Belgrave station, or 35–75 minutes by car depending on traffic.

Does Selby have public transport? +

Belgrave station on the Metro Trains Belgrave Line is approximately 1 kilometre from Selby and provides regular services to Melbourne CBD. Local bus routes also connect Selby to Belgrave and surrounds. The Puffing Billy Railway also stops at Selby, though it operates as a tourist service rather than a commuter route.

What is the population of Selby? +

Selby had a population of 1,626 at the 2021 Census, a slight dip from 1,652 in 2016, with a median age of 40 that reflects its strong family demographic.

Is Selby a good place to live? +

Selby is ideal for families and nature lovers who value bush surroundings, quiet streets, and a close-knit community, while still maintaining a train commute into Melbourne. The trade-off is car dependency for daily errands and a longer commute compared to inner-city suburbs.

What is the postcode for Selby? +

The postcode for Selby, VIC is 3159, shared with Belgrave and surrounding Dandenong Ranges localities.