🔍

Bonnie Doon

VIC 3720 • Victoria

666
Population (2021)
N/A
Median Personal Income
192.63 km²
Area
N/A
Median Rent
RuralLakesideTourist HubQuietBushland
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About Bonnie Doon

Bonnie Doon is a small rural locality in north-east Victoria, situated on the shores of Lake Eildon approximately 175 kilometres north-east of the Melbourne CBD within the Murrindindi Shire. With a 2021 Census population of 666, it covers a large area of 193 square kilometres, reflecting its dispersed rural character and surrounding bushland. The locality is best known to Australians as the holiday destination immortalised in the 1997 film The Castle, and it continues to attract visitors for its relaxed lakeside atmosphere and natural scenery.

Lake Eildon is the centrepiece of life in Bonnie Doon, offering boating, fishing, water skiing, and camping opportunities that draw holidaymakers throughout warmer months. The area is surrounded by the Lake Eildon National Park, with walking trails and birdwatching in the surrounding bushland. The local township has a small general store and fuel outlet, and the nearby Delatite River adds to the recreational appeal. Permanent residents enjoy a quiet, semi-rural lifestyle, with Alexandra and Mansfield providing access to schools, healthcare, and essential services.

Bonnie Doon falls under postcode 3720 and is governed by the Mansfield Council (Local Government Area). For federal elections, residents vote in the electorate of Indi, while state elections fall under the Eildon (Northern Victoria) electorate.

📍 Location

State
Victoria
Postcode
3720
Urban Area
N/A
LGA / Council
Mansfield
Federal Electorate
Indi
State Electorate
Eildon (Northern Victoria)
Type
Locality
Timezone
Melbourne (UTC+10)
Coordinates
-37.02°, 145.85°
Statistical Area
N/A
Area
192.63 km²
Population Density
3 /km²
Elevation
0m

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💰 Income

ATO taxable income Postcode 3720

Median taxable income for individual taxpayers in postcode 3720 for the 2023–24 financial year (2019–20 data not published for this postcode).

Median 2019–20
N/A
Median 2023–24
$47,960
Average taxable income (2023–24)
$60,236

Source: ATO Taxation Statistics 2023–24, Individuals Table 8 (median & average taxable income by postcode). Covers all individuals who lodged a return in postcode 3720; postcodes with fewer than 200 lodgments are suppressed by the ATO.

🚌 Transport & Commute

Bus Services

  • Limited regional coach services — Alexandra / Melbourne (regional coach) Approx. 3 hrs to Melbourne

Commute to Melbourne CBD

Distance
175 km
By Train
No direct train service; nearest station is Alexandra, approx. 35 km away
By Car (Peak)
2 hr 15 min – 2 hr 45 min
By Car (Off-Peak)
2 hr – 2 hr 15 min

🛣️ Access via Maroondah Highway (A1) through Healesville and Yea; Alexandra is the main service town

Walkability Almost All Errands Require a Car

Bonnie Doon is a small rural locality with very limited local services; a car is essential for almost 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
666
▲ 0% growth

Population Growth

Gender Distribution (Census 2021)

📊 Population: ABS Census 2021

🚔 Crime Statistics LGA-wide

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

Break & enter (dwelling)
118.5 / 100k
2yr Down 21.9% 10yr Down 51.1%
Motor vehicle theft
72.9 / 100k
2yr Stable 10yr Down 20.9%
Non-FV assault
209.7 / 100k
2yr Up 16.4% 10yr Stable
Robbery (unarmed)
0 / 100k
2yr — 10yr —
Steal from vehicle
182.3 / 100k
2yr Up 28.2% 10yr Down 43.5%
View all offence subgroups for Mansfield →

Source: Crime Statistics Agency Victoria

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is Bonnie Doon known for? +

Bonnie Doon is best known as the holiday destination made famous by the 1997 Australian film The Castle, where the Kerrigan family had their beloved shack on the lake. Today it remains a popular spot for water sports, fishing, and camping on Lake Eildon.

How far is Bonnie Doon from Melbourne CBD? +

Bonnie Doon is approximately 175 kilometres north-east of the Melbourne CBD, making it about a 2-to-2.5-hour drive via the Maroondah Highway through the Yarra Valley and Yea.

Does Bonnie Doon have public transport? +

Public transport options to Bonnie Doon are very limited. There is no rail service; the nearest train station is in Alexandra, about 35 km away. Regional coach services operate along the corridor, but a car is essential for most travel.

What is the population of Bonnie Doon? +

According to the 2021 Census, Bonnie Doon had a population of 666 permanent residents. The actual number of people in the area swells significantly during holiday periods when weekend and holiday visitors arrive.

Is Bonnie Doon a good place to live? +

Bonnie Doon suits those seeking a quiet, nature-focused lifestyle away from the city. Permanent residents enjoy the beauty of Lake Eildon and the surrounding national park, though access to schools, healthcare, and shops requires travel to Alexandra or Mansfield.

What is the postcode for Bonnie Doon? +

The postcode for Bonnie Doon, Victoria is 3720.

Is Bonnie Doon a safe area? +

Crime statistics are recorded at the Local Government Area level. Bonnie Doon is part of the Mansfield 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.