🔍

Bayles

VIC 3981 • Victoria

445
Population (2021)
N/A
Median Personal Income
23.72 km²
Area
N/A
Median Rent
RuralAgriculturalQuietCardinia ShireVictorian Countryside
Advertisement

About Bayles

Bayles is a small rural locality in Victoria's Cardinia Shire, situated approximately 75 kilometres south-east of Melbourne's CBD on the Koo Wee Rup–Longwarry Road. With a population of 445, the community is spread across a predominantly flat agricultural landscape in the Koo Wee Rup region, historically known for market gardening, dairying, and the extensive drainage of the former Koo Wee Rup Swamp. The locality falls within one of Gippsland's most productive agricultural corridors and retains the character of a traditional small farming community.

Bayles is centred around its heritage General Store and Post Office — a local landmark operating since 1921 — which remains a social focal point for the community. Residents rely on the nearby town of Koo Wee Rup, around 3 kilometres to the west, for day-to-day services including schools, supermarkets, and medical facilities. The locality suits those seeking a quiet rural lifestyle within commuting distance of Melbourne's south-eastern suburbs, with the South Gippsland Highway providing road access toward Pakenham and the Monash Freeway.

Bayles falls under postcode 3981 and is governed by the Cardinia Council (Local Government Area). For federal elections, residents vote in the electorate of Monash, while state elections fall under the Narracan (Eastern Victoria) electorate.

📍 Location

State
Victoria
Postcode
3981
Urban Area
N/A
LGA / Council
Cardinia
Federal Electorate
Monash
State Electorate
Narracan (Eastern Victoria)
Type
Locality
Timezone
Melbourne (UTC+10)
Coordinates
-38.21°, 145.57°
Statistical Area
N/A
Area
23.72 km²
Population Density
19 /km²
Elevation
0m

📣 Ad

💰 Income

ATO taxable income Postcode 3981

Median taxable income for individual taxpayers in postcode 3981, comparing the 2019–20 and 2023–24 financial years.

Median 2019–20
$46,664
Median 2023–24
$58,372
▲ 25.1% increase
Average taxable income (2023–24)
$66,675

Source: ATO Taxation Statistics 2023–24, Individuals Table 8 (median & average taxable income by postcode). Covers all individuals who lodged a return in postcode 3981; postcodes with fewer than 200 lodgments are suppressed by the ATO.

🚌 Transport & Commute

Nearest Train Stations

Pakenham Station
25 km
N/A — car required

Bus Services

  • No regular services — Car required; Koo Wee Rup is the nearest service centre (~3 km) N/A

Commute to Melbourne CBD

Distance
75 km
By Train
No direct train service; drive to Pakenham Station (~25 km) then Metro to Flinders Street (~60–70 min)
By Car (Peak)
75–100 min
By Car (Off-Peak)
60–75 min

🛣️ South Gippsland Highway to Pakenham then Monash Freeway to Melbourne CBD

Walkability Almost All Errands Require a Car

Aside from the local General Store, all errands require a car; Koo Wee Rup provides the nearest full range of services

🛒 Supermarkets Nearby

No major supermarkets listed for this suburb.

🎓 Schools

👥 Demographics

Census 2016
0
Census 2021
445
▲ 0% growth

Population Growth

Gender Distribution (Census 2021)

📊 Population: ABS Census 2021

🚔 Crime Statistics LGA-wide

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

Break & enter (dwelling)
284.4 / 100k
2yr Up 33.2% 10yr Down 46.9%
Motor vehicle theft
277.7 / 100k
2yr Up 91.6% 10yr Stable
Non-FV assault
193.6 / 100k
2yr Stable 10yr Up 17.3%
Robbery (unarmed)
5.2 / 100k
2yr Up 65.4% 10yr Up 27.1%
Steal from vehicle
860.6 / 100k
2yr Up 108.1% 10yr Up 21.7%
View all offence subgroups for Cardinia →

Source: Crime Statistics Agency Victoria

📣 Ad

Nearby Suburbs

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Bayles known for? +

Bayles is known for its heritage General Store and Post Office — a community landmark since 1921 — and its quiet agricultural character in the Koo Wee Rup region. The area is part of Victoria's historically significant market gardening and dairy farming corridor.

How far is Bayles from Melbourne CBD? +

Bayles is approximately 75 kilometres south-east of Melbourne's CBD, typically a 60–75 minute drive off-peak via the South Gippsland Highway and Monash Freeway.

Does Bayles have public transport? +

Bayles has no regular public transport services and is car-dependent. The nearest train station is Pakenham (approximately 25 km away) on the Metro Trains Pakenham/Cranbourne Line, which connects to Melbourne CBD in around 60–70 minutes.

What is the population of Bayles? +

According to the 2021 Census, Bayles has a population of 445 residents across approximately 24 square kilometres of rural land in Cardinia Shire.

Is Bayles a good place to live? +

Bayles offers a peaceful rural lifestyle within a reasonable distance of Melbourne's south-eastern suburbs for those willing to commute by car. It suits those who value space, agricultural surroundings, and a tight-knit community, with Koo Wee Rup providing nearby services.

What is the postcode for Bayles? +

The postcode for Bayles is 3981, shared with Koo Wee Rup and surrounding localities in the Cardinia Shire area.

Is Bayles a safe area? +

Crime statistics are recorded at the Local Government Area level. Bayles is part of the Cardinia 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.