🔍

Strathewen

VIC 3099 • Victoria

198
Population (2021)
N/A
Median Personal Income
20.48 km²
Area
N/A
Median Rent
BushlandRuralSemi-RuralPeacefulFamily-Friendly

About Strathewen

Strathewen is a small bushland township in the Shire of Nillumbik, situated approximately 45 kilometres north-east of Melbourne's CBD on the edge of Kinglake National Park. The locality covers around 20 square kilometres and recorded a population of 198 at the 2021 Census, with a median postcode income of about $50,000. Strathewen is defined by its heavily forested, hilly terrain and carries a profound community memory of the 2009 Black Saturday bushfires, which devastated the township and surrounds — since which the community has shown remarkable resilience and rebuilding.

The locality's greatest asset is its direct proximity to Kinglake National Park, offering residents access to scenic bush walks, mountain bike trails, and rich wildlife including kangaroos, wallabies, and diverse birdlife. The neighbouring townships of Hurstbridge (around 15 kilometres south-west) and Kinglake provide everyday services, while the Hurstbridge railway line at Hurstbridge station offers a commuter connection to Melbourne CBD. Strathewen attracts semi-rural residents seeking a genuine bush lifestyle on the doorstep of one of Victoria's most beautiful national parks, with the trade-off of living in a bushfire-risk area requiring ongoing preparedness.

Strathewen falls under postcode 3099 and is governed by the Nillumbik Council (Local Government Area). For federal elections, residents vote in the electorate of McEwen, while state elections fall under the Eildon (Northern Victoria) electorate.

📍 Location

State
Victoria
Postcode
3099
Urban Area
N/A
LGA / Council
Nillumbik
Federal Electorate
McEwen
State Electorate
Eildon (Northern Victoria)
Type
Locality
Timezone
Melbourne (UTC+10)
Coordinates
-37.59°, 145.19°
Statistical Area
N/A
Area
20.48 km²
Population Density
10 /km²
Elevation
0m

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🚌 Transport & Commute

Nearest Train Stations

Hurstbridge Station
15 km
N/A (drive only)

Bus Services

  • No direct bus service — Hurstbridge (nearest hub) N/A — private vehicle to Hurstbridge required

Commute to Melbourne CBD

Distance
45 km
By Train
Drive to Hurstbridge (~15 km), then train to Flinders Street (~75 min)
By Car (Peak)
55–80 min
By Car (Off-Peak)
45–60 min

🛣️ Plenty Road and Yan Yean Road are the main routes south; traffic-sensitive during peak hours

Walkability Almost All Errands Require a Car

Strathewen is a bush locality with no local retail; all errands require driving to Hurstbridge or Kinglake

🛒 Supermarkets Nearby

No major supermarkets listed for this suburb.

🎓 Schools

🚔 Crime Statistics LGA-wide

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

Break & enter (dwelling)
256.6 / 100k
2yr Up 184.8% 10yr Down 28.1%
Motor vehicle theft
109.5 / 100k
2yr Up 147.4% 10yr Down 22.8%
Non-FV assault
122 / 100k
2yr Stable 10yr Up 18.7%
Robbery (unarmed)
14.1 / 100k
2yr — 10yr Up 803.7%
Steal from vehicle
416.2 / 100k
2yr Up 148.4% 10yr Down 33.4%
View all offence subgroups for Nillumbik →

Source: Crime Statistics Agency Victoria

👥 Demographics

Census 2016
0
Census 2021
198
▲ 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 Strathewen known for? +

Strathewen is known for its bush character and proximity to Kinglake National Park, and for the resilience its community showed following the devastating 2009 Black Saturday bushfires that heavily impacted the township and surrounding area.

How far is Strathewen from Melbourne? +

Strathewen is approximately 45 kilometres north-east of Melbourne's CBD, typically around a 55 to 80 minute drive depending on traffic and route taken via the Plenty Road or Yan Yean Road corridors.

Does Strathewen have public transport? +

Strathewen has no direct public transport service. The nearest train station is Hurstbridge, approximately 15 kilometres south-west, which has Hurstbridge Line services to Melbourne's CBD. Residents require a private vehicle to access the station.

What is the population of Strathewen? +

According to the 2021 Census, Strathewen has a population of 198 residents, with roughly equal numbers of males and females. The population reflects a small, tight-knit rural community.

Is Strathewen a good place to live? +

Strathewen is ideal for those seeking a genuine bush lifestyle within commutable distance of Melbourne, with the beauty of Kinglake National Park on the doorstep. Prospective residents should be aware of and prepared for bushfire risk, which is significant in this area.

What is the postcode for Strathewen? +

The postcode for Strathewen is 3099.

Is Strathewen a safe area? +

Crime statistics are recorded at the Local Government Area level. Strathewen is part of the Nillumbik 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.