Wickliffe
VIC 3379 • Victoria
About Wickliffe
Wickliffe is a small historic town in western Victoria's Rural City of Ararat, situated on the banks of the Hopkins River approximately 35 kilometres south of Ararat and around 220 kilometres west of Melbourne. With a population of 123 at the 2021 Census, the locality spans over 171 square kilometres of pastoral countryside predominantly used for grazing and cropping. The area was first settled in the 1840s when pastoralists took up runs along the Hopkins River, and a formal township was established by the early 1850s.
Wickliffe is best known for its well-preserved Gothic-style bluestone Presbyterian church, built in 1861 with a 70-foot steeple added in 1878, which stands as a prominent landmark of the town's colonial heritage. The surrounding district supports sheep and cattle grazing typical of the Grampians-adjacent pastoral zone of western Victoria. The community is small and close-knit, with residents relying on nearby Ararat, Hamilton, and Ballarat for larger services, while the peaceful rural surroundings and the historic Hopkins River valley offer a quiet and characterful lifestyle.
Wickliffe falls under postcode 3379 and is governed by the local council Council (LGA). For state elections, residents vote in the Lowan (Western Victoria) electorate.
Location
Transport & Commute
Bus Services
- Limited regional services — Ararat / Hamilton 40-60 min
Commute to Melbourne CBD
🛣️ Western Highway (A8) provides the main route to Melbourne; Ararat 35km north for V/Line connections
A car is essential for daily life in Wickliffe; the township has very limited local services
Supermarkets Nearby
No major supermarkets listed for this suburb.
Schools
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14 Warranooke Street
