🔍

Buchan

VIC 3885 • Victoria

201
Population (2021)
N/A
Median Personal Income
429.49 km²
Area
N/A
Median Rent
RuralTourist HubBushlandRiverside
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About Buchan

Buchan is a scenic rural locality in East Gippsland, Victoria, situated on the Buchan River approximately 75 kilometres north of Bairnsdale and 350 kilometres east of Melbourne, within the East Gippsland Shire Council area. With a 2021 Census population of 201 residents spread across a vast 429 square kilometre area, Buchan is a small but well-known township serving the surrounding farming and tourism community. The area is characterised by limestone karst country, river valleys, and the dense forests of East Gippsland.

Buchan is best known for the renowned Buchan Caves, a spectacular network of stalactite and stalagmite formations managed by Parks Victoria, which draw visitors from across the country year-round. The township itself features a pub, a general store, a bakery, and accommodation for tourists exploring the Snowy River National Park and the greater East Gippsland wilderness. The Buchan River and nearby Snowy River are popular for fishing, kayaking, and swimming. For residents, Bairnsdale is the main regional centre for healthcare, shopping, and education, accessible in under an hour by car.

Buchan 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
429.49 km²
Population Density
0 /km²
Elevation
0m

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💰 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

Bus Services

  • V/Line Coach (seasonal / limited) — Bairnsdale 55-70 min

Commute to Melbourne CBD

Distance
350 km
By Train
No direct service; V/Line to Bairnsdale then coach (approx. 5-6 hrs total)
By Car (Peak)
4-4.5 hrs
By Car (Off-Peak)
3.75-4 hrs

🛣️ Access via Princes Highway to Bairnsdale then Buchan-Gelantipy Road; Bairnsdale is the nearest major service centre

Walkability Almost All Errands Require a Car

A car is essential; the township has a pub, store and bakery but all major services require the 75km drive to Bairnsdale

🛒 Supermarkets Nearby

No major supermarkets listed for this suburb.

🎓 Schools

👥 Demographics

Census 2016
0
Census 2021
201
▲ 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 Buchan. 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

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Nearby Suburbs

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Buchan known for? +

Buchan is best known for the Buchan Caves — a spectacular network of stalactite and stalagmite formations managed by Parks Victoria — and its position as a gateway to the Snowy River National Park and East Gippsland's wilderness areas.

How far is Buchan from Melbourne? +

Buchan is approximately 350 kilometres east of Melbourne, making it around a 4 to 4.5 hour drive via the Princes Highway to Bairnsdale and then north on Buchan-Gelantipy Road.

Does Buchan have public transport? +

Public transport is very limited in Buchan. The nearest V/Line train station is in Bairnsdale (approximately 75km south), and limited coach services connect the two towns seasonally. A car is essential for everyday life.

What is the population of Buchan? +

According to the 2021 Census, Buchan has a population of 201 residents across a locality of approximately 429 square kilometres in East Gippsland Shire.

Is Buchan a good place to live? +

Buchan suits those drawn to a remote, nature-immersed lifestyle in one of Victoria's most beautiful wilderness regions. It offers a genuine community atmosphere, stunning natural landscapes, and tourism activity, but requires self-sufficiency and tolerance for the distance to major services.

What is the postcode for Buchan? +

The postcode for Buchan, Victoria is 3885.

Is Buchan a safe area? +

Crime statistics are recorded at the Local Government Area level. Buchan 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.