Trentham

VIC 3458 • Rest of VIC

1,382
Population (2021)
$37,596
Median Income
51.36 km²
Area
$386/wk
Median Rent
RuralHistoricRetiree-HavenMountainPeaceful

About Trentham

Trentham is a historic small town set in the elevated terrain of the Hepburn Shire in central Victoria, approximately 95 kilometres north-west of Melbourne at an elevation of 702 metres in the southern ranges of the Macedon–Daylesford highlands. The locality covers 51 square kilometres and had a population of 1,382 at the 2021 Census, representing significant growth from 1,180 in 2016 as the town attracts tree-changers and retirees from Melbourne. With a median age of 56 and median household income of $1,489 per week, Trentham is characterised by an older, established demographic drawn to the area's cool climate, natural scenery, and relaxed country lifestyle.

Trentham is best known for the spectacular Trentham Falls, one of Victoria's tallest single-drop waterfalls, which draws visitors year-round from Melbourne and the surrounding spa country region. The town's main street hosts a growing scene of cafés, galleries, and artisan producers, reflecting its appeal to creative residents and weekend day-trippers. The historic Trentham Hotel and local produce stores contribute to the village's charm, while proximity to the Daylesford and Hepburn Springs spa district makes the area popular with those seeking rural tranquillity. A car is essential for living in Trentham, as public transport connections are very limited.

Trentham falls under postcode 3458 and is governed by Hepburn Council (LGA). For state elections, residents vote in the Macedon (Northern Victoria) electorate.

📍 Location

State
Postcode
3458
Urban Area
Castlemaine - Kerang
LGA / Council
Federal Electorate
State Electorate
Type
Urban
Timezone
Melbourne (UTC+10)
Coordinates
-37.39°, 144.34°
Statistical Area
Rest of VIC
Area
51.36 km²
Elevation
702m

🚌 Transport & Commute

Nearest Train Stations

Woodend
22 km
N/A — drive required

Bus Services

  • Limited V/Line coach services — Daylesford / Ballarat / Melbourne 2+ hours to Melbourne

Commute to Melbourne CBD

Distance
95 km
By Train
No direct rail; drive to Woodend station (~22km), then 65 min to Southern Cross via Bendigo Line
By Car (Peak)
90-120 min
By Car (Off-Peak)
75-90 min

🛣️ Trentham has no railway station. The nearest V/Line station is Woodend on the Bendigo Line. A car is essential for most residents.

Walkability Car-Dependent

Trentham's main street has cafés and local shops within walking distance for residents near the town centre, but a car is needed for most errands and services

🛒 Supermarkets Nearby

No major supermarkets listed for this suburb.

🎓 Schools

🏠 Housing 2021 Census

Median Rent (weekly)
$386
Median Mortgage (monthly)
$1,733
Avg Household Size
2.2 people
Median Age
56 years
Social Housing (% of dwellings)
0.7%

0 state housing + 4 community housing dwellings (ABS 2021 Census)

🎓 Educational Institution Attending 2021 Census

School Sector Breakdown

👥 Demographics

Census 2016
1,180
Census 2021
1,382
17.1% growth

Population Growth

Gender Distribution (Census 2021)

Income 2016
$28,704
Income 2021
$37,596
31.0% increase

Income Comparison

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

🌍 Country of Birth 2021 Census

Born in Australia 1,020
Born Overseas 247

Top Countries of Birth (excl. Australia)

  • 1. England 100
  • 2. New Zealand 24
  • 3. United States 12
  • 4. Germany 9
  • 5. Netherlands 9
  • 6. Scotland 9
  • 7. Singapore 6
  • 8. Croatia 5
  • 9. Philippines 5
  • 10. China 4

🧬 Ancestry 2021 Census

Top ancestries reported (people may report up to two)

English 644
Australian 445
Irish 288
Scottish 213
German 65
Italian 28
Dutch 27
Maltese 21
French 16
Welsh 15

👨‍👩‍👧 Parents' Birthplace 2021 Census

818
Both parents born in Australia
286
Both parents born overseas
154
One parent AU, one overseas

🛐 Religion 2021 Census

No Religion
54.5%
Christianity
33.1%
Buddhism
0.7%

📊 Age Distribution 2021 Census

0-4 years
58 (4.2%)
5-14 years
121 (8.8%)
15-19 years
47 (3.4%)
20-24 years
29 (2.1%)
25-34 years
90 (6.5%)
35-44 years
118 (8.5%)
45-54 years
176 (12.7%)
55-64 years
274 (19.8%)
65-74 years
271 (19.6%)
75-84 years
146 (10.6%)
85+ years
48 (3.5%)

Nearby Suburbs

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Trentham known for? +

Trentham is best known for Trentham Falls, one of Victoria's tallest single-drop waterfalls, and its position as a cool-climate retreat in the Hepburn Shire highlands. The town has developed a reputation for artisan cafés, galleries, and weekend escapes from Melbourne, while remaining an authentic country community with a strong local character.

How far is Trentham from Melbourne CBD? +

Trentham is approximately 95 kilometres north-west of the Melbourne CBD. By car via the Calder Freeway and local roads, the trip takes around 75–120 minutes depending on traffic and the route taken.

Does Trentham have public transport? +

Trentham does not have a railway station. The nearest V/Line train station is at Woodend, approximately 22 kilometres away on the Bendigo Line. Limited V/Line coach services connect the town to Daylesford and Ballarat. A private vehicle is essential for most residents.

What is the population of Trentham? +

According to the 2021 Census, Trentham has a population of 1,382 residents, up from 1,180 in 2016. The suburb has a median age of 56 — reflecting the high proportion of retirees and older residents who have relocated from Melbourne to enjoy the highland lifestyle.

Is Trentham a good place to live? +

Trentham suits those looking for a quieter, nature-connected lifestyle in Victoria's cool highlands, with a genuine country town character and easy access to the Daylesford and Hepburn Springs spa region. The trade-off is its remoteness from Melbourne and reliance on private transport, making it better suited to retirees, remote workers, and tree-changers than daily commuters.

What is the postcode for Trentham? +

The postcode for Trentham is 3458.