🔍

Bass

VIC 3991 • Victoria

405
Population (2021)
N/A
Median Personal Income
49.19 km²
Area
N/A
Median Rent
RuralAgriculturalHistoricCoastal HinterlandPeaceful
Advertisement

About Bass

Bass is a historic rural town in the Bass Coast Shire of Victoria's Gippsland region, situated approximately 113 kilometres south-east of Melbourne via the South Gippsland and Bass Highways. With a 2021 Census population of 405, Bass covers nearly 50 square kilometres of agricultural land along the coastal hinterland. The town is named after the English explorer George Bass, who charted Western Port Bay in 1798, and carries colonial heritage stretching back to the first European settlements of the 1830s.

The surrounding landscape is a mix of grazing farms and open countryside, with the Bass River flowing nearby and a memorial to George Bass standing in George Bass Park. Bass is well-positioned for access to the natural attractions of the Bass Coast, including Phillip Island (approximately 25 kilometres to the south) and the scenic coastline around San Remo and Cape Woolamai. The nearest towns with shops and services are Wonthaggi (24km south-east) and Leongatha to the east. There is no rail service to Bass; residents rely on private vehicles, and the area suits those seeking a quiet rural lifestyle on Victoria's southern coast.

Bass falls under postcode 3991 and is governed by the Bass Coast Council (Local Government Area). For federal elections, residents vote in the electorate of Monash, while state elections fall under the Bass (Eastern Victoria) electorate.

📍 Location

State
Victoria
Postcode
3991
Urban Area
N/A
LGA / Council
Bass Coast
Federal Electorate
Monash
State Electorate
Bass (Eastern Victoria)
Type
Locality
Timezone
Melbourne (UTC+10)
Coordinates
-38.48°, 145.47°
Statistical Area
N/A
Area
49.19 km²
Population Density
8 /km²
Elevation
0m

📣 Ad

💰 Income

ATO taxable income Postcode 3991

Median taxable income for individual taxpayers in postcode 3991 for the 2023–24 financial year (2019–20 data not published for this postcode).

Median 2019–20
N/A
Median 2023–24
$43,752
Average taxable income (2023–24)
$57,120

Source: ATO Taxation Statistics 2023–24, Individuals Table 8 (median & average taxable income by postcode). Covers all individuals who lodged a return in postcode 3991; postcodes with fewer than 200 lodgments are suppressed by the ATO.

🚌 Transport & Commute

Bus Services

  • Regional coach (V/Line) — Wonthaggi / Melbourne (Southern Cross) Approx. 2 hrs to Melbourne

Commute to Melbourne CBD

Distance
113 km
By Train
No direct train; V/Line coach connections available via Wonthaggi or Leongatha
By Car (Peak)
1.5-2 hrs
By Car (Off-Peak)
1.25-1.5 hrs

🛣️ Via South Gippsland Highway and Bass Highway; car is essential for daily commuting

Walkability Almost All Errands Require a Car

Bass is a rural locality with no walkable retail centre; a car is essential for all daily needs

🛒 Supermarkets Nearby

No major supermarkets listed for this suburb.

🎓 Schools

No schools listed for this postcode.

👥 Demographics

Census 2016
0
Census 2021
405
▲ 0% growth

Population Growth

Gender Distribution (Census 2021)

📊 Population: ABS Census 2021

🚔 Crime Statistics LGA-wide

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

Break & enter (dwelling)
385.8 / 100k
2yr Stable 10yr Down 18.3%
Motor vehicle theft
160.2 / 100k
2yr Up 66.9% 10yr Up 41.1%
Non-FV assault
259.4 / 100k
2yr Stable 10yr Down 10.5%
Robbery (unarmed)
2.3 / 100k
2yr Stable 10yr Down 62.3%
Steal from vehicle
349.7 / 100k
2yr Up 24.5% 10yr Down 13.3%
View all offence subgroups for Bass Coast →

Source: Crime Statistics Agency Victoria

📣 Ad

Nearby Suburbs

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Bass known for? +

Bass is known for its rich colonial history as one of Victoria's earliest European settlements, its agricultural landscape, and its proximity to the Bass Coast and Phillip Island tourist region. George Bass Park commemorates the explorer who navigated Western Port Bay in 1798 and gave the town its name.

How far is Bass from Melbourne? +

Bass is approximately 113 kilometres south-east of Melbourne CBD, typically a 1.5 to 2 hour drive via the South Gippsland and Bass Highways depending on traffic.

Does Bass have public transport? +

There is no rail service to Bass. Limited regional coach connections are available via nearby towns such as Wonthaggi; however, a private vehicle is the most practical way to get around in this rural locality.

What is the population of Bass? +

According to the 2021 Census, Bass has a population of approximately 405 residents, spread across its nearly 50 square kilometres of farming and rural land.

Is Bass a good place to live? +

Bass suits those seeking a peaceful rural lifestyle on Victoria's southern coast, with easy access to Phillip Island and the Bass Coast's beaches and nature reserves. Daily conveniences require a short drive to Wonthaggi or San Remo, making car ownership essential.

What is the postcode for Bass? +

The postcode for Bass, Victoria is 3991.

Is Bass a safe area? +

Crime statistics are recorded at the Local Government Area level. Bass is part of the Bass Coast 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.