Tallangatta

VIC 3700 • Rest of VIC

1,175
Population (2021)
$33,124
Median Income
55.53 km²
Area
$240/wk
Median Rent
LakesideHistoricRetiree-HavenRuralPeaceful

About Tallangatta

Tallangatta is a small town in the Alpine foothills of north-east Victoria, situated on the shores of Lake Hume (Hume Reservoir) approximately 340 kilometres north-east of Melbourne and 35 kilometres west of Wodonga, within the Towong Shire. With a population of 1,175 and a median age of 48, Tallangatta has an older demographic profile, reflecting its appeal to retirees and long-term residents seeking a peaceful lakeside lifestyle in the Upper Murray region. The town sits at an elevation of 504 metres amid a landscape of eucalypt forests, rolling farmland, and the expansive waters of Lake Hume.

Tallangatta has a notable historical story — the original town was deliberately inundated in 1956 when Lake Hume was enlarged, and the current townsite was purpose-built on higher ground. Remnants of the original town occasionally re-emerge during periods of low water, making it a unique piece of Australian history. Today the town offers a supermarket, medical services, schools, hotel, and sporting clubs, with the lake providing excellent fishing, boating, and water sports. Wodonga's full urban services are about 35 minutes away via the Kiewa Valley Highway, and the town is a popular base for exploring the Snowy Mountains and Alpine National Park.

Tallangatta falls under postcode 3700 and is governed by Towong Council (LGA). For state elections, residents vote in the Benambra (Northern Victoria) electorate.

📍 Location

State
Postcode
3700
Urban Area
Alpine - Towong - Indigo
LGA / Council
Federal Electorate
State Electorate
Type
Urban
Timezone
Melbourne (UTC+10)
Coordinates
-36.24°, 147.19°
Statistical Area
Rest of VIC
Area
55.53 km²
Elevation
504m

🚌 Transport & Commute

Bus Services

  • VLine coach — Wodonga / Albury Approx. 45 min to Wodonga

Commute to Melbourne CBD

Distance
340 km
By Train
No direct service; drive to Wodonga then VLine train to Melbourne Southern Cross (approx. 3.5–4 hours total)
By Car (Peak)
3.5–4 hours via Hume Highway via Wodonga
By Car (Off-Peak)
3–3.5 hours

🛣️ Albury-Wodonga is the regional hub 35 minutes east; Kiewa Valley Highway connects to Wodonga; Hume Highway provides main Melbourne–Sydney corridor access

Walkability Car-Dependent

Most services require a car, though the small town centre allows some walking for local shopping and the lakefront

🛒 Supermarkets Nearby

No major supermarkets listed for this suburb.

🎓 Schools

🏠 Housing 2021 Census

Median Rent (weekly)
$240
Median Mortgage (monthly)
$1,128
Avg Household Size
2.2 people
Median Age
48 years
Social Housing (% of dwellings)
1.8%

8 state housing + 0 community housing dwellings (ABS 2021 Census)

🎓 Educational Institution Attending 2021 Census

School Sector Breakdown

👥 Demographics

Census 2016
1,082
Census 2021
1,175
8.6% growth

Population Growth

Gender Distribution (Census 2021)

Income 2016
$28,236
Income 2021
$33,124
17.3% increase

Income Comparison

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

🌍 Country of Birth 2021 Census

Born in Australia 973
Born Overseas 121

Top Countries of Birth (excl. Australia)

  • 1. England 38
  • 2. Malaysia 11
  • 3. United States 8
  • 4. Scotland 7
  • 5. Germany 6
  • 6. Netherlands 6
  • 7. Samoa 6
  • 8. Indonesia 5
  • 9. India 4
  • 10. Canada 3

🧬 Ancestry 2021 Census

Top ancestries reported (people may report up to two)

English 489
Australian 482
Irish 159
Scottish 143
German 69
Italian 28
Australian Aboriginal 19
Dutch 17
Samoan 12
New Zealander 8

👨‍👩‍👧 Parents' Birthplace 2021 Census

841
Both parents born in Australia
140
Both parents born overseas
99
One parent AU, one overseas

🛐 Religion 2021 Census

Christianity
46.6%
No Religion
40.2%
Hinduism
0.9%
Buddhism
0.8%
Islam
0.7%

📊 Age Distribution 2021 Census

0-4 years
72 (6.1%)
5-14 years
122 (10.4%)
15-19 years
53 (4.5%)
20-24 years
54 (4.6%)
25-34 years
123 (10.5%)
35-44 years
104 (8.9%)
45-54 years
136 (11.6%)
55-64 years
170 (14.5%)
65-74 years
156 (13.3%)
75-84 years
101 (8.6%)
85+ years
83 (7.1%)

Nearby Suburbs

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Tallangatta known for? +

Tallangatta is best known for its unique history — the original town was submerged when Lake Hume was enlarged in 1956, and the current town was purpose-built on higher ground. The sunken remnants occasionally reappear during droughts, drawing curious visitors. Today it is also known for Lake Hume's excellent fishing, boating, and scenic Alpine foothills setting.

How far is Tallangatta from Melbourne? +

Tallangatta is approximately 340 kilometres north-east of Melbourne CBD, a drive of around 3 to 3.5 hours via the Hume Highway through Wodonga. The town is about 35 kilometres west of Wodonga.

Does Tallangatta have public transport? +

Tallangatta has limited VLine coach services connecting to Wodonga and Albury. There is no local rail service; the nearest railway station is at Wodonga, approximately 35 kilometres away, which offers VLine services to Melbourne and NSW TrainLink services to Sydney. A car is the most practical option for most travel.

What is the population of Tallangatta? +

According to the 2021 Census, Tallangatta has a population of 1,175. The community has a notably older profile with a median age of 48, and a significant proportion of residents aged 65 and over, reflecting its appeal as a retirement and lifestyle destination in the Upper Murray region.

Is Tallangatta a good place to live? +

Tallangatta is well-suited to retirees, nature lovers, and those seeking a quiet lifestyle with easy access to Lake Hume and the Alpine National Park. The town has essential services and a friendly community atmosphere, while Wodonga's full urban amenities are just 35 minutes away. It is less suited to those needing frequent access to a major city.

What is the postcode for Tallangatta? +

The postcode for Tallangatta is 3700, located in the Towong Shire of north-east Victoria.