🔍

Taradale

VIC 3447 • Victoria

524
Population (2021)
N/A
Median Personal Income
47.96 km²
Area
N/A
Median Rent
RuralHistoricHeritageQuietSemi-Rural

About Taradale

Taradale is a small historic town in the Shire of Mount Alexander in central Victoria, located approximately 103 kilometres north-west of Melbourne and 18 kilometres south-east of Castlemaine. Covering nearly 48 square kilometres in the Central Goldfields region, the town sits beside the Calder Highway between Melbourne and Bendigo and has a population of around 524. Taradale developed as a service and transport hub during the Victorian gold rush era, and its rural character and heritage streetscapes are largely intact today.

The town is perhaps best known for the Taradale Viaduct, a historic 36-metre-tall railway bridge built between 1858 and 1862 that still carries the Melbourne–Bendigo line across Back Creek. Taradale's main street offers a pub, a general store, and a scattering of heritage buildings, while surrounding farmland and bushland provide opportunities for walking and cycling. Its location on the Calder Freeway makes it accessible for day-trippers from Melbourne, and the proximity to Castlemaine and Kyneton means residents can easily access larger regional services, galleries, cafes, and markets.

Taradale falls under postcode 3447 and is governed by the Mount Alexander Council (Local Government Area). For federal elections, residents vote in the electorate of Bendigo, while state elections fall under the Macedon (Northern Victoria) electorate.

📍 Location

State
Victoria
Postcode
3447
Urban Area
N/A
LGA / Council
Mount Alexander
Federal Electorate
Bendigo
State Electorate
Macedon (Northern Victoria)
Type
Locality
Timezone
Melbourne (UTC+10)
Coordinates
-37.16°, 144.32°
Statistical Area
N/A
Area
47.96 km²
Population Density
11 /km²
Elevation
0m

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🚌 Transport & Commute

Nearest Train Stations

Kyneton Railway Station
17 km
N/A (drive)
Castlemaine Railway Station
18 km
N/A (drive)

Bus Services

  • Regional coach (V/Line) — Bendigo and Melbourne (Southern Cross) Approx. 1.5–2 hours to Melbourne

Commute to Melbourne CBD

Distance
103 km
By Train
Approx. 1.5 hours from Kyneton station via Bendigo Line to Southern Cross
By Car (Peak)
1.5–2 hours via Calder Freeway
By Car (Off-Peak)
1–1.25 hours

🛣️ Calder Freeway (M79) provides direct access toward Melbourne; Taradale's own station closed in 1976

Walkability Almost All Errands Require a Car

Taradale is a very small rural town with minimal services; a car is required for most daily needs

🛒 Supermarkets Nearby

No major supermarkets listed for this suburb.

🎓 Schools

🚔 Crime Statistics LGA-wide

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

Break & enter (dwelling)
304.2 / 100k
2yr Up 56.5% 10yr Down 14.6%
Motor vehicle theft
118.8 / 100k
2yr Up 22.2% 10yr Stable
Non-FV assault
232.9 / 100k
2yr Up 65.2% 10yr Up 20.2%
Robbery (unarmed)
0 / 100k
2yr — 10yr —
Steal from vehicle
313.7 / 100k
2yr Up 43.4% 10yr Stable
View all offence subgroups for Mount Alexander →

Source: Crime Statistics Agency Victoria

👥 Demographics

Census 2016
0
Census 2021
524
▲ 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 Taradale known for? +

Taradale is best known for the Taradale Viaduct, a magnificent 19th-century railway bridge that carries the Melbourne–Bendigo line 36 metres above Back Creek. The town is also recognised for its gold rush heritage and its peaceful rural character in Victoria's Central Goldfields region.

How far is Taradale from Melbourne? +

Taradale is approximately 103 kilometres north-west of Melbourne CBD, typically a one to one-and-a-quarter hour drive via the Calder Freeway in off-peak conditions.

Does Taradale have public transport? +

Taradale's own railway station closed in 1976. The nearest train stations are at Kyneton (17km) and Castlemaine (18km), both served by V/Line on the Bendigo Line. Regional coach services also operate through the area.

What is the population of Taradale? +

According to the 2021 Census, Taradale has a population of approximately 524 residents. It is a small, well-established rural community with deep historical roots from the Victorian gold rush era.

Is Taradale a good place to live? +

Taradale suits those who value a quiet, semi-rural lifestyle within reach of larger regional towns like Castlemaine and Kyneton. It is popular with people seeking affordable rural living with access to the arts and café culture of the Mount Alexander Shire.

What is the postcode for Taradale? +

The postcode for Taradale, Victoria is 3447.

Is Taradale a safe area? +

Crime statistics are recorded at the Local Government Area level. Taradale is part of the Mount Alexander 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.