🔍

Barwon Heads

VIC 3227 • Rest of VIC

4,353
Population (2021)
$115,752
Median Household Income
6.81 km²
Area
$450/wk
Median Rent
CoastalLifestyleFamily-FriendlyHistoricSea-Change

About Barwon Heads

Barwon Heads is a charming coastal town on the Bellarine Peninsula in Victoria, situated at the mouth of the Barwon River where it meets Bass Strait, about 22 kilometres south-east of Geelong. With a 2021 census population of 4,353, the town has a relaxed seaside character and a median age of 46, reflecting its appeal to established families and sea-changers. The suburb sits within the City of Greater Geelong and is bounded to the west by the Murtnaghurt Lagoon wetland and farmland, giving it a peaceful, unhurried feel.

Barwon Heads is beloved for its surf beach, estuary fishing, and the iconic Barwon Heads Bridge, and gained national recognition as the filming location for the television series Seachange. Residents enjoy the local bowls club, golf course, cafes, and boutique shops that give the town its village character. The suburb attracts families, retirees, and holiday visitors alike, with Ocean Grove just across the river offering additional shopping and schools.

Barwon Heads falls under postcode 3227 and is governed by Greater Geelong Council (LGA). For state elections, residents vote in the Bellarine (Western Victoria) electorate.

📍 Location

State
Victoria
Postcode
3227
Urban Area
Geelong - Queenscliff
LGA / Council
Greater Geelong
Federal Electorate
Corangamite
State Electorate
Bellarine (Western Victoria)
Type
Urban
Timezone
Melbourne (UTC+10)
Coordinates
-38.27°, 144.49°
Statistical Area
Rest of VIC
Area
6.81 km²
Elevation
4m

🏷️ Property Prices June quarter 2025

Median sale prices in Barwon Heads for the June quarter 2025. Median sale prices published by the Valuer-General Victoria.

🏡House
$1.46M
18 sales · ▲ 13% YoY

Source: Valuer-General Victoria — Victorian Property Sales Report. Medians are for the latest quarter; the change shown is the official 12-month movement. Suburbs with very few sales in a quarter can be volatile.

🏠 Housing 2021 Census

Median Rent (weekly)
$450
Median Mortgage (monthly)
$2,184
Avg Household Size
2.5 people
Median Age
46 years
Social Housing (% of dwellings)
1.6%

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

🚌 Transport & Commute

Bus Services

  • PTV bus services — Geelong CBD 10-30 min

Commute to Geelong CBD

Distance
105 km
By Train
V/Line train service to Melbourne CBD (~60 min from Geelong Station)
By Bus
No direct bus to Melbourne
By Car (Peak)
approx. 1h 40 min via Princes Freeway
By Car (Off-Peak)
approx. 1h 20 min

🛣️ Popular sea-change destination; most commuters drive to Geelong or work locally

Walkability Somewhat Walkable

Compact town centre within walking distance of beach, cafes and local shops; limited public transport frequency

🛒 Supermarkets Nearby

No major supermarkets listed for this suburb.

🎓 Schools

🚔 Crime Statistics LGA-wide

These are the latest rates for the Greater Geelong Local Government Area, which contains Barwon Heads. Rates are per 100,000 residents for the year ending September 2025; trends compare 2 and 10 year periods.

Break & enter (dwelling)
357.1 / 100k
2yr Stable 10yr Down 56.6%
Motor vehicle theft
236.5 / 100k
2yr Up 57.4% 10yr Down 43.2%
Non-FV assault
291.6 / 100k
2yr Up 10.1% 10yr Up 20.2%
Robbery (unarmed)
1.4 / 100k
2yr Down 65.3% 10yr Down 53.8%
Steal from vehicle
772.7 / 100k
2yr Stable 10yr Down 42.4%
View all offence subgroups for Greater Geelong →

Source: Crime Statistics Agency Victoria

🎓 Educational Institution Attending 2021 Census

School Sector Breakdown

👥 Demographics

Census 2016
3,875
Census 2021
4,353
▲ 12.3% growth

Population Growth

Gender Distribution (Census 2021)

Personal Income 2016
$40,768
Personal Income 2021
$53,560
▲ 31.4% 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
$53,560 / yr
$1030/wk
Household
$115,752 / yr
$2226/wk
Family
$144,196 / yr
$2773/wk

Personal Income Comparison (2016 vs 2021)

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

🌍 Country of Birth 2021 Census

Born in Australia 3,633
Born Overseas 411

Top Countries of Birth (excl. Australia)

  • 1. England 183
  • 2. New Zealand 31
  • 3. United States 25
  • 4. Scotland 22
  • 5. South Africa 19
  • 6. Netherlands 16
  • 7. Germany 12
  • 8. Papua New Guinea 9
  • 9. Malta 7
  • 10. Croatia 6

🧬 Ancestry 2021 Census

Top ancestries reported (people may report up to two)

English 1,936
Australian 1,727
Irish 748
Scottish 692
German 158
Italian 114
Dutch 103
Welsh 37
New Zealander 32
Polish 27

👨‍👩‍👧 Parents' Birthplace 2021 Census

2,996
Both parents born in Australia
474
Both parents born overseas
578
One parent AU, one overseas

🛐 Religion 2021 Census

No Religion
53.0%
Christianity
37.8%
Buddhism
0.7%
Judaism
0.1%
Hinduism
0.1%

📊 Age Distribution 2021 Census

0-4 years
159 (3.7%)
5-14 years
709 (16.3%)
15-19 years
278 (6.4%)
20-24 years
138 (3.2%)
25-34 years
241 (5.5%)
35-44 years
530 (12.2%)
45-54 years
663 (15.2%)
55-64 years
606 (13.9%)
65-74 years
650 (14.9%)
75-84 years
285 (6.5%)
85+ years
95 (2.2%)

Nearby Suburbs

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Barwon Heads known for? +

Barwon Heads is a charming coastal town on the Bellarine Peninsula in Victoria, situated at the mouth of the Barwon River where it meets Bass Strait, about 22 kilometres south-east of Geelong. Barwon Heads is beloved for its surf beach, estuary fishing, and the iconic Barwon Heads Bridge, and gained national recognition as the filming location for the television series Seachange.

How far is Barwon Heads from Melbourne CBD? +

Barwon Heads is approximately 22 kilometres from Melbourne CBD, with a typical drive taking around 26-40 minutes depending on traffic and route taken.

Does Barwon Heads have public transport? +

Barwon Heads is served by PTV (Public Transport Victoria) buses within the Greater Geelong network. Geelong Station also provides V/Line train services to Melbourne CBD, approximately 60 minutes away. Local buses connect suburbs to Geelong CBD and surrounding areas.

What is the population of Barwon Heads? +

According to the 2021 Census, Barwon Heads has a population of approximately 4,353 residents, a modest but established community. The suburb falls within the Greater Geelong (City) local government area.

Is Barwon Heads a good place to live? +

Barwon Heads is highly appealing to those seeking a coastal lifestyle, with easy access to beaches, waterways, and outdoor recreation. It suits families, retirees, and sea-changers looking for a relaxed pace of life close to nature.

What is the postcode for Barwon Heads? +

The postcode for Barwon Heads, VIC is 3227. This postcode covers Barwon Heads and may also serve nearby localities within the same postcode zone.

What is the average income in Barwon Heads? +

Based on the 2021 Census, the median personal income in Barwon Heads is about $1,030 per week (around $53,600 per year). The median household income is $2,226 per week and the median family income is $2,773 per week.

What is the median house price in Barwon Heads? +

As of June quarter 2025, the median house price is $1,455,000, up 13% year-on-year. Figures are based on Valuer-General Victoria — Victorian Property Sales Report.

What is the age profile of Barwon Heads? +

The median age in Barwon Heads is 46. The largest age group is 5–14 (709 residents, around 16%). Around 26% of residents are under 20 and about 24% are aged 65 or older. (2021 Census)

Is Barwon Heads a safe area? +

Crime statistics are recorded at the Local Government Area level. Barwon Heads is part of the Greater Geelong 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 Barwon Heads? +

In Barwon Heads, the median weekly rent is $450, and the median monthly mortgage repayment is $2,184 (2021 Census).