🔍

Barongarook West

VIC 3249 • Victoria

291
Population (2021)
N/A
Median Personal Income
49.35 km²
Area
N/A
Median Rent
RuralBushlandPeacefulSemi-Rural
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About Barongarook West

Barongarook West is a rural locality in the Shire of Colac Otway in south-western Victoria, set among the rolling hills and native bushland of the Otway hinterland. Covering approximately 49 square kilometres, it lies to the west of Colac — the nearest major service town — and is part of the broader Barongarook district that flanks the Barongarook Conservation Reserve. With a population of 291 at the 2021 Census, the locality is lightly settled with a mix of hobby farms, grazing properties, and bush retreats scattered across the landscape.

The Barongarook Conservation Reserve is a defining feature of the area, offering bushwalking trails and a section of the Old Beechy Rail Trail, a popular recreational route running from Colac towards Beech Forest. The locality's location within the Otway Ranges foothills gives it a green, temperate character with remnant stringybark and messmate forests. Residents are primarily self-sufficient rural dwellers who access services in Colac (approximately 15 km east), which provides shops, schools, and medical facilities, while the Great Ocean Road and Otway National Park are accessible within an hour's drive.

Barongarook West falls under postcode 3249 and is governed by the Colac Otway Council (Local Government Area). For federal elections, residents vote in the electorate of Wannon, while state elections fall under the Polwarth (Western Victoria) electorate.

📍 Location

State
Victoria
Postcode
3249
Urban Area
N/A
LGA / Council
Colac Otway
Federal Electorate
Wannon
State Electorate
Polwarth (Western Victoria)
Type
Locality
Timezone
Melbourne (UTC+10)
Coordinates
-38.39°, 143.56°
Statistical Area
N/A
Area
49.35 km²
Population Density
6 /km²
Elevation
0m

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💰 Income

ATO taxable income Postcode 3249

Median taxable income for individual taxpayers in postcode 3249 for the 2023–24 financial year (2019–20 data not published for this postcode).

Median 2019–20
N/A
Median 2023–24
$49,010
Average taxable income (2023–24)
$64,254

Source: ATO Taxation Statistics 2023–24, Individuals Table 8 (median & average taxable income by postcode). Covers all individuals who lodged a return in postcode 3249; postcodes with fewer than 200 lodgments are suppressed by the ATO.

🚌 Transport & Commute

Nearest Train Stations

Colac
15 km
N/A (car required)

Bus Services

  • No regular bus service — N/A Car required to access Colac services

Commute to Melbourne CBD

Distance
155 km
By Train
V/Line from Colac to Southern Cross Station (approx. 2 hrs 30 min)
By Car (Peak)
1 hr 45 min – 2 hrs 15 min
By Car (Off-Peak)
1 hr 45 min – 2 hrs

🛣️ Drive to Colac station for V/Line; access via Princes Highway

Walkability Almost All Errands Require a Car

Barongarook West is a rural locality with no local shops or services; all daily errands require driving to Colac

🛒 Supermarkets Nearby

No major supermarkets listed for this suburb.

🎓 Schools

👥 Demographics

Census 2016
0
Census 2021
291
▲ 0% growth

Population Growth

Gender Distribution (Census 2021)

📊 Population: ABS Census 2021

🚔 Crime Statistics LGA-wide

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

Break & enter (dwelling)
250.7 / 100k
2yr Up 11.7% 10yr Down 43.6%
Motor vehicle theft
89.5 / 100k
2yr Up 81.3% 10yr Down 23.5%
Non-FV assault
259.6 / 100k
2yr Down 18.6% 10yr Stable
Robbery (unarmed)
0 / 100k
2yr — 10yr Down 100.0%
Steal from vehicle
308.9 / 100k
2yr Up 67.8% 10yr Up 11.8%
View all offence subgroups for Colac Otway →

Source: Crime Statistics Agency Victoria

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Nearby Suburbs

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Barongarook West known for? +

Barongarook West is known for its peaceful rural character within the Otway hinterland, proximity to the Barongarook Conservation Reserve, and access to the Old Beechy Rail Trail — a popular walking and cycling track through native bushland.

How far is Barongarook West from Melbourne CBD? +

Barongarook West is approximately 155 kilometres south-west of Melbourne, around a 1 hour 45 minute to 2 hour 15 minute drive via the Princes Highway.

Does Barongarook West have public transport? +

There is no regular public transport serving Barongarook West directly. The nearest V/Line train service is in Colac, approximately 15 km east, with connections to Melbourne's Southern Cross Station.

What is the population of Barongarook West? +

According to the 2021 Census, Barongarook West had a population of 291 residents, making it a small and sparsely settled rural locality spread across approximately 49 square kilometres.

Is Barongarook West a good place to live? +

Barongarook West appeals to those seeking a quiet rural lifestyle surrounded by native bushland and Otway scenery, within reasonable distance of Colac's services. It is well-suited to hobby farmers, nature enthusiasts, and those wanting a remote tree-change.

What is the postcode for Barongarook West? +

The postcode for Barongarook West is 3249, shared with nearby Barongarook and Colac.

Is Barongarook West a safe area? +

Crime statistics are recorded at the Local Government Area level. Barongarook West is part of the Colac Otway 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.