Badger Creek

VIC 3777 • Greater Melbourne

1,610
Population (2021)
$77,012
Median Household Income
8.97 km²
Area
$323/wk
Median Rent
BushlandLeafyQuietHinterlandFamily-Friendly

About Badger Creek

Badger Creek is a small township nestled in the foothills of the Yarra Ranges, approximately 60 kilometres east of the Melbourne CBD within the Yarra Ranges Shire. Located immediately north of Healesville, the suburb encompasses nearly 9 square kilometres of gently elevated terrain at around 153 metres above sea level, surrounded by bushland and the catchment forests of the Yarra Valley. With a population of 1,610 and a median age of 43, Badger Creek has an established community character that draws people seeking a quiet, nature-surrounded lifestyle within reach of Melbourne.

Residents benefit from immediate proximity to Healesville township, which offers local shopping, cafes, primary and secondary schools, and the world-renowned Healesville Sanctuary wildlife park — one of the Yarra Valley's most popular attractions. The Badger Weir Picnic Area and surrounding Yarra Ranges National Park provide outstanding bushwalking, mountain biking, and birdwatching opportunities right on the doorstep. While a car is essential — the nearest rail station is Lilydale on the Lilydale Line, approximately 25 kilometres away — residents willingly make this trade-off for the valley's relaxed, leafy lifestyle.

Badger Creek falls under postcode 3777 and is governed by Yarra Ranges Council (LGA). For state elections, residents vote in the Eildon (Northern Victoria) electorate.

📍 Location

State
Postcode
3777
Urban Area
Yarra Ranges
LGA / Council
Federal Electorate
State Electorate
Type
Urban
Timezone
Melbourne (UTC+10)
Coordinates
-37.69°, 145.54°
Statistical Area
Greater Melbourne
Area
8.97 km²
Elevation
153m

🏠 Housing 2021 Census

Median Rent (weekly)
$323
Median Mortgage (monthly)
$1,517
Avg Household Size
2.5 people
Median Age
43 years
Social Housing (% of dwellings)
2.1%

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

🚌 Transport & Commute

Nearest Train Stations

Lilydale
25 km
N/A — car required

Bus Services

  • Route 685 — Lilydale Station 45-55 min

Commute to Melbourne CBD

Distance
60 km
By Train
~1 hr 40 min total via Route 685 bus to Lilydale then Lilydale Line (~50 min to Flinders Street)
By Car (Peak)
1 hr 10 min – 1 hr 30 min via Maroondah Highway
By Car (Off-Peak)
55 min – 1 hr 10 min via Maroondah Highway

🛣️ Healesville bus routes connect to Lilydale Station; most residents drive; Maroondah Highway is the main route

Walkability Almost All Errands Require a Car

A car is necessary for daily errands; Healesville township with shops and cafes is a short drive away, but Badger Creek itself has no retail centre

🛒 Supermarkets Nearby

No major supermarkets listed for this suburb.

🎓 Schools

🚔 Crime Statistics LGA-wide

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

Break & enter (dwelling)
167.8 / 100k
Motor vehicle theft
125.6 / 100k
Non-FV assault
174.7 / 100k
Robbery (unarmed)
5 / 100k
Steal from vehicle
374.2 / 100k

Source: Crime Statistics Agency Victoria

🎓 Educational Institution Attending 2021 Census

School Sector Breakdown

👥 Demographics

Census 2016
1,563
Census 2021
1,610
3.0% growth

Population Growth

Gender Distribution (Census 2021)

Personal Income 2016
$29,952
Personal Income 2021
$35,516
18.6% increase

2021 Census income breakdown

Personal = median for one earner. Household = all members of a dwelling pooled. Family = related members only. Annual = weekly × 52.

Personal
$35,516 / yr
$683/wk
Household
$77,012 / yr
$1481/wk
Family
$92,872 / yr
$1786/wk

Personal Income Comparison (2016 vs 2021)

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

🌍 Country of Birth 2021 Census

Born in Australia 1,315
Born Overseas 219

Top Countries of Birth (excl. Australia)

  • 1. England 89
  • 2. New Zealand 17
  • 3. Scotland 17
  • 4. Netherlands 15
  • 5. Germany 13
  • 6. Indonesia 6
  • 7. Italy 5
  • 8. Japan 5
  • 9. India 4
  • 10. South Africa 4

🧬 Ancestry 2021 Census

Top ancestries reported (people may report up to two)

English 730
Australian 683
Scottish 206
Irish 189
German 114
Dutch 72
Australian Aboriginal 47
Italian 46
Chinese 14
Hungarian 12

👨‍👩‍👧 Parents' Birthplace 2021 Census

1,045
Both parents born in Australia
281
Both parents born overseas
215
One parent AU, one overseas

🛐 Religion 2021 Census

No Religion
61.6%
Christianity
31.1%
Buddhism
0.2%
Hinduism
0.2%

📊 Age Distribution 2021 Census

0-4 years
85 (5.3%)
5-14 years
195 (12.1%)
15-19 years
79 (4.9%)
20-24 years
72 (4.5%)
25-34 years
214 (13.3%)
35-44 years
180 (11.2%)
45-54 years
193 (12.0%)
55-64 years
257 (16.0%)
65-74 years
220 (13.7%)
75-84 years
82 (5.1%)
85+ years
27 (1.7%)

Nearby Suburbs

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Badger Creek known for? +

Badger Creek is known for its bushland setting in the Yarra Ranges and its proximity to Healesville Sanctuary, one of Australia's premier wildlife parks. The Badger Weir Picnic Area, Yarra Ranges National Park, and the wider Healesville township make it a popular base for nature lovers and families seeking a relaxed valley lifestyle.

How far is Badger Creek from Melbourne CBD? +

Badger Creek is approximately 60 kilometres east of the Melbourne CBD. The drive via Maroondah Highway typically takes around 55 minutes to 1 hour 10 minutes off-peak.

Does Badger Creek have public transport? +

Badger Creek is served by Route 685 bus, which connects Healesville to Lilydale Station on the Lilydale Line. From Lilydale, trains run to Flinders Street Station in central Melbourne. There is no direct train service to Badger Creek; a car is the most practical option for daily travel.

What is the population of Badger Creek? +

According to the 2021 Census, Badger Creek has a population of 1,610 residents. With a median age of 43, the suburb has a mature, settled demographic that values the Yarra Valley's lifestyle and natural environment.

Is Badger Creek a good place to live? +

Badger Creek is ideal for those who value a quiet bushland lifestyle with access to outdoor activities and the Healesville township. It suits nature lovers, families, and those seeking a retreat from city living, though a car is essential and the commute to Melbourne requires planning.

What is the postcode for Badger Creek? +

The postcode for Badger Creek is 3777, shared with Healesville and some surrounding Yarra Ranges localities.

What is the average income in Badger Creek? +

Based on the 2021 Census, the median personal income in Badger Creek is about $683 per week (around $35,500 per year). The median household income is $1,481 per week and the median family income is $1,786 per week.

What is the age profile of Badger Creek? +

The median age in Badger Creek is 43. The largest age group is 55–64 (257 residents, around 16%). Around 22% of residents are under 20 and about 20% are aged 65 or older. (2021 Census)

Is Badger Creek a safe area? +

Crime statistics are recorded at the Local Government Area level. Badger Creek is part of the Yarra Ranges 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.

How much is rent in Badger Creek? +

In Badger Creek, the median weekly rent is $323, and the median monthly mortgage repayment is $1,517 (2021 Census).