Yanac

VIC 3418 • Victoria

69
Population (2021)
N/A
Median Income
344.33 km²
Area
N/A
Median Rent
RuralAgriculturalOutbackQuietPeaceful

About Yanac

Yanac is a small rural locality in the Shire of Hindmarsh, situated in the south of the Mallee region in north-west Victoria, approximately 350 kilometres north-west of Melbourne and 28 kilometres north-west of Nhill. The locality covers a vast 344 square kilometres of semi-arid Mallee country, characterised by low rainfall, infertile sandy-loam soils, and the distinctive multi-stemmed eucalyptus scrub for which the Mallee is named. With a 2021 Census population of 69 residents, Yanac is a very small farming community, with grain growing being the dominant land use across the surrounding plains.

Yanac was established as a local service centre when the railway line from Jeparit reached the area in 1912, and a railway station, grain silos, public hall (built 1921), and general store followed in subsequent years. The railway closed in 1984, and several community facilities — including the school, the Lutheran church, and the Salvation Army hall — closed in the 1990s as population declined. Today, Yanac residents rely on Nhill for services, shopping, and schooling, while the wide open Mallee landscape and strong agricultural traditions continue to define the locality's identity.

Yanac falls under postcode 3418 and is governed by the local council Council (LGA). For state elections, residents vote in the Lowan (Western Victoria) electorate.

📍 Location

State
Postcode
3418
Urban Area
N/A
LGA / Council
N/A
Federal Electorate
State Electorate
Type
Locality
Timezone
Melbourne (UTC+10)
Coordinates
-36.07°, 141.54°
Statistical Area
N/A
Area
344.33 km²
Elevation
0m

🚌 Transport & Commute

Bus Services

  • No regular scheduled services — N/A N/A

Commute to Melbourne CBD

Distance
350 km
By Train
No direct service; nearest V/Line connection is Nhill station (28 km away), with Overland train services to Melbourne taking approx. 4h 30min
By Car (Peak)
3h 30min–4h
By Car (Off-Peak)
3h 15min–3h 30min

🛣️ A car is essential; the Western Highway (A8) passes through Nhill and connects the region to Melbourne

Walkability Almost All Errands Require a Car

Yanac has no local services; a car is essential for all errands, with Nhill being the nearest town for shopping and services

🛒 Supermarkets Nearby

No major supermarkets listed for this suburb.

🎓 Schools

👥 Demographics

Census 2016
0
Census 2021
69
0% growth

Population Growth

Gender Distribution (Census 2021)

Income 2016
N/A
Income 2021
N/A
0% increase

Income Comparison

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

Nearby Suburbs

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Yanac known for? +

Yanac is known for its Mallee farming heritage and grain-growing traditions. The locality was once a railway service town after the line reached it in 1912, and retains a public hall and grain storage infrastructure that speak to its agricultural past. The surrounding Mallee scrub and semi-arid landscape give Yanac a distinctive remote character.

How far is Yanac from Melbourne? +

Yanac is approximately 350 kilometres north-west of Melbourne CBD, making it a drive of around 3.5 to 4 hours via the Western Highway through Horsham and Nhill.

Does Yanac have public transport? +

Yanac has no scheduled public transport services. The locality's railway station closed in 1984 when the Jeparit line was decommissioned. The nearest V/Line rail service is at Nhill, approximately 28 kilometres south-east, with services to Melbourne taking around 4 hours 30 minutes. A car is essential.

What is the population of Yanac? +

According to the 2021 Census, Yanac had a population of 69 residents across a locality covering 344 square kilometres. It is one of Victoria's sparsely populated Mallee communities in the Shire of Hindmarsh.

Is Yanac a good place to live? +

Yanac suits farming families and those who value a very remote, quiet lifestyle deeply connected to the land. It offers wide open Mallee landscapes and a strong agricultural community, but residents must travel to Nhill for schools, shopping, and most services. It is not suited to those who rely on public transport or urban conveniences.

What is the postcode for Yanac? +

The postcode for Yanac, Victoria is 3418.