🔍

Bruthen

VIC 3885 • Victoria

820
Population (2021)
N/A
Median Personal Income
69.01 km²
Area
N/A
Median Rent
RuralHistoricRiversideQuietEstablished
Advertisement

About Bruthen

Bruthen is a small historic town in East Gippsland, Victoria, situated alongside the Tambo River on the Great Alpine Road, approximately 26 kilometres east of Bairnsdale and 311 kilometres east of Melbourne. It falls within the Shire of East Gippsland local government area and has a population of 820. The township is surrounded by the dramatic landscapes of East Gippsland, with the Snowy Mountains to the north and rugged Gippsland hinterland providing a scenic backdrop.

Bruthen has a strong sense of community and a rich pioneer history, including a notable 1958 incident when an RAAF Avon-Sabre jet crash-landed on the town's outskirts — with remnants still visible today as a local curiosity. The town is a popular stopping point for travellers on the Great Alpine Road, with a pub, local shops, and access to fishing and kayaking on the Tambo River. The surrounding area offers excellent bushwalking and exploration of East Gippsland's forests, appealing to those who seek an active, nature-based rural lifestyle.

Bruthen falls under postcode 3885 and is governed by the East Gippsland Council (Local Government Area). For federal elections, residents vote in the electorate of Gippsland, while state elections fall under the Gippsland East (Eastern Victoria) electorate.

📍 Location

State
Victoria
Postcode
3885
Urban Area
N/A
LGA / Council
East Gippsland
Federal Electorate
Gippsland
State Electorate
Gippsland East (Eastern Victoria)
Type
Locality
Timezone
Melbourne (UTC+10)
Coordinates
-37.29°, 148.12°
Statistical Area
N/A
Area
69.01 km²
Population Density
12 /km²
Elevation
0m

📣 Ad

💰 Income

ATO taxable income Postcode 3885

Median taxable income for individual taxpayers in postcode 3885 for the 2023–24 financial year (2019–20 data not published for this postcode).

Median 2019–20
N/A
Median 2023–24
$46,941
Average taxable income (2023–24)
$55,840

Source: ATO Taxation Statistics 2023–24, Individuals Table 8 (median & average taxable income by postcode). Covers all individuals who lodged a return in postcode 3885; postcodes with fewer than 200 lodgments are suppressed by the ATO.

🚌 Transport & Commute

Nearest Train Stations

Bairnsdale
26 km
N/A (drive required)

Bus Services

  • Limited regional coach — Bairnsdale ~30 min

Commute to Melbourne CBD

Distance
311 km
By Train
Drive to Bairnsdale (26 km) then Gippsland Line train to Flinders Street (~3 h total)
By Car (Peak)
3.5–4 hours
By Car (Off-Peak)
3–3.5 hours

🛣️ Remote East Gippsland location; Princes Highway connects to Melbourne via Bairnsdale

Walkability Almost All Errands Require a Car

Bruthen has a small town centre with a pub and basic facilities, but most errands require a drive to Bairnsdale

🛒 Supermarkets Nearby

No major supermarkets listed for this suburb.

🎓 Schools

👥 Demographics

Census 2016
0
Census 2021
820
▲ 0% growth

Population Growth

Gender Distribution (Census 2021)

📊 Population: ABS Census 2021

🚔 Crime Statistics LGA-wide

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

Break & enter (dwelling)
295.4 / 100k
2yr Up 17.1% 10yr Down 31.6%
Motor vehicle theft
146.7 / 100k
2yr Stable 10yr Up 147.7%
Non-FV assault
462.2 / 100k
2yr Up 10.3% 10yr Up 26.2%
Robbery (unarmed)
0 / 100k
2yr Down 100.0% 10yr —
Steal from vehicle
379.8 / 100k
2yr Stable 10yr Down 37.0%
View all offence subgroups for East Gippsland →

Source: Crime Statistics Agency Victoria

📣 Ad

Nearby Suburbs

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Bruthen known for? +

Bruthen is known for its setting alongside the Tambo River on the Great Alpine Road in East Gippsland, its pioneer heritage, and a notable local story involving an RAAF jet that crash-landed on the town's outskirts in 1958, with remnants still visible today.

How far is Bruthen from Melbourne? +

Bruthen is approximately 311 kilometres east of Melbourne, a drive of around 3–3.5 hours via the Princes Highway through Bairnsdale and the Great Alpine Road.

Does Bruthen have public transport? +

Bruthen has limited public transport options. There is no rail service to the town; the nearest train station is Bairnsdale, 26 kilometres to the west on the Gippsland Line. Regional coach services provide some connectivity between towns.

What is the population of Bruthen? +

According to the 2021 Census, Bruthen has a population of 820 residents, spread across a locality area of approximately 69 square kilometres in East Gippsland.

Is Bruthen a good place to live? +

Bruthen suits those who value a quiet, nature-rich rural lifestyle in East Gippsland. The Tambo River provides fishing and kayaking opportunities, and the Great Alpine Road gives easy access to the Victorian High Country and nearby Bairnsdale for services.

What is the postcode for Bruthen? +

Bruthen's postcode is 3885, located in the East Gippsland region of Victoria.

Is Bruthen a safe area? +

Crime statistics are recorded at the Local Government Area level. Bruthen is part of the East Gippsland 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.