🔍

Bittern

VIC 3918 • Greater Melbourne

4,276
Population (2021)
$83,980
Median Household Income
17.22 km²
Area
$366/wk
Median Rent
CoastalPeninsulaVillageNatureFamily-Friendly

About Bittern

Bittern is a charming coastal town on the Mornington Peninsula, located 61 kilometres southeast of Melbourne's CBD within the Shire of Mornington Peninsula. With around 4,300 residents, it forms part of an urban cluster with nearby Hastings, Crib Point and Somerville. Named after the shy Australasian bittern bird, the town is surrounded by native bushland and dense coastal vegetation along Western Port Bay.

Life in Bittern blends country town character with Peninsula lifestyle. The town retains its village atmosphere with a primary school, general store, and community sports facilities including a basketball and netball stadium. The 87% owner-occupancy reflects a settled community of families and retirees drawn to the area's natural beauty, relative affordability compared to bayside suburbs, and proximity to the Peninsula's beaches, wineries and hiking trails.

Bittern falls under postcode 3918 and is governed by Mornington Peninsula Council (LGA). For state elections, residents vote in the Hastings (Eastern Victoria) electorate.

📍 Location

State
Victoria
Postcode
3918
Urban Area
N/A
LGA / Council
Mornington Peninsula
Federal Electorate
Flinders
State Electorate
Hastings (Eastern Victoria)
Type
Rural
Timezone
Melbourne (UTC+10)
Coordinates
-38.34°, 145.18°
Statistical Area
Greater Melbourne
Area
17.22 km²
Elevation
25m

🏷️ Property Prices June quarter 2025

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

🏡House
$840K
6 sales · ▲ 1.2% 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)
$366
Median Mortgage (monthly)
$1,842
Avg Household Size
2.5 people
Median Age
46 years
Social Housing (% of dwellings)
0.6%

7 state housing + 3 community housing dwellings (ABS 2021 Census)

🚌 Transport & Commute

Nearest Train Stations

Hastings
3 km
Stony Point Line
Frankston
25 km
Interchange for Frankston Line to CBD

Bus Services

  • 782 — Frankston to Flinders via Hastings 35 min to Frankston

Commute to Melbourne CBD

Distance
69 km
By Train
90-100 min (Stony Point to Frankston, change to Flinders St)
By Car (Peak)
75-90 min via Peninsula Link/EastLink
By Car (Off-Peak)
60-70 min

🛣️ Stony Point Line is not electrified; diesel trains operate Frankston-Stony Point shuttle

Walkability Car-Dependent

Village centre walkable but spread-out residential areas and limited services require driving

🛒 Supermarkets Nearby

No major supermarkets listed for this suburb.

🎓 Schools

🚔 Crime Statistics LGA-wide

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

Break & enter (dwelling)
529.6 / 100k
2yr Up 59.3% 10yr Down 17.4%
Motor vehicle theft
277.9 / 100k
2yr Up 159.9% 10yr Up 83.2%
Non-FV assault
221.5 / 100k
2yr Stable 10yr Stable
Robbery (unarmed)
1.7 / 100k
2yr Down 50.5% 10yr Up 181.7%
Steal from vehicle
790 / 100k
2yr Up 77.7% 10yr Up 30.9%
View all offence subgroups for Mornington Peninsula →

Source: Crime Statistics Agency Victoria

🎓 Educational Institution Attending 2021 Census

School Sector Breakdown

👥 Demographics

Census 2016
3,705
Census 2021
4,276
▲ 15.4% growth

Population Growth

Gender Distribution (Census 2021)

Personal Income 2016
$34,268
Personal Income 2021
$37,700
▲ 10.0% 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
$37,700 / yr
$725/wk
Household
$83,980 / yr
$1615/wk
Family
$103,532 / yr
$1991/wk

Personal Income Comparison (2016 vs 2021)

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

🌍 Country of Birth 2021 Census

Born in Australia 3,454
Born Overseas 682

Top Countries of Birth (excl. Australia)

  • 1. England 357
  • 2. New Zealand 44
  • 3. Scotland 33
  • 4. Netherlands 32
  • 5. Germany 28
  • 6. South Africa 23
  • 7. Canada 16
  • 8. Philippines 14
  • 9. Ireland 13
  • 10. United States 13

🧬 Ancestry 2021 Census

Top ancestries reported (people may report up to two)

English 2,075
Australian 1,824
Scottish 492
Irish 482
German 197
Dutch 153
Italian 115
Australian Aboriginal 53
Polish 43
Welsh 34

👨‍👩‍👧 Parents' Birthplace 2021 Census

2,621
Both parents born in Australia
880
Both parents born overseas
625
One parent AU, one overseas

🛐 Religion 2021 Census

No Religion
55.0%
Christianity
38.2%
Buddhism
0.4%
Judaism
0.1%

📊 Age Distribution 2021 Census

0-4 years
236 (5.5%)
5-14 years
496 (11.6%)
15-19 years
248 (5.8%)
20-24 years
199 (4.7%)
25-34 years
425 (9.9%)
35-44 years
456 (10.7%)
45-54 years
596 (13.9%)
55-64 years
632 (14.8%)
65-74 years
604 (14.1%)
75-84 years
334 (7.8%)
85+ years
59 (1.4%)

Nearby Suburbs

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Bittern known for? +

Bittern is a charming coastal town on the Mornington Peninsula, located 61 kilometres southeast of Melbourne's CBD within the Shire of Mornington Peninsula. Life in Bittern blends country town character with Peninsula lifestyle.

How far is Bittern from Melbourne CBD? +

Bittern is approximately 61 kilometres from Melbourne CBD, with a typical drive taking around 73-110 minutes depending on traffic and route taken.

Does Bittern have public transport? +

Bittern is served by PTV (Public Transport Victoria) bus services and is within reach of the Melbourne Metro rail network. Check ptv.vic.gov.au for current route and timetable information.

What is the population of Bittern? +

According to the 2021 Census, Bittern has a population of approximately 4,276 residents, a modest but established community. The suburb falls within the Mornington Peninsula (Shire) local government area.

Is Bittern a good place to live? +

Bittern 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 Bittern? +

The postcode for Bittern, VIC is 3918. This postcode covers Bittern and may also serve nearby localities within the same postcode zone.

What is the average income in Bittern? +

Based on the 2021 Census, the median personal income in Bittern is about $725 per week (around $37,700 per year). The median household income is $1,615 per week and the median family income is $1,991 per week.

What is the median house price in Bittern? +

As of June quarter 2025, the median house price is $840,000, up 1.2% year-on-year. Figures are based on Valuer-General Victoria — Victorian Property Sales Report.

What is the age profile of Bittern? +

The median age in Bittern is 46. The largest age group is 55–64 (632 residents, around 15%). Around 23% of residents are under 20 and about 23% are aged 65 or older. (2021 Census)

Is Bittern a safe area? +

Crime statistics are recorded at the Local Government Area level. Bittern is part of the Mornington Peninsula 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 Bittern? +

In Bittern, the median weekly rent is $366, and the median monthly mortgage repayment is $1,842 (2021 Census).