🔍

Chewton

VIC 3451 • Victoria

763
Population (2021)
N/A
Median Personal Income
24.04 km²
Area
N/A
Median Rent
HistoricHeritageRuralQuietAffordable
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About Chewton

Chewton is a historic gold rush town in Mount Alexander Shire, Victoria, located approximately 116 kilometres north-west of Melbourne and 5 kilometres east of Castlemaine. The 2021 Census recorded a population of 763 residents across 24 square kilometres of central Victorian countryside. The area was home to the Dja Dja Wurrung people before European settlement, and experienced significant growth during the Victorian gold rush of the 1850s, a heritage that remains central to its identity.

Chewton retains much of its 19th century character, with historic buildings, old mine reserves, and remnants of the goldfields era lending the town a distinctive charm. The nearby Castlemaine township provides the full range of shopping, schools, and services for residents, while the V/Line Bendigo Line at Castlemaine station (approximately 5 kilometres away) offers rail connections to Melbourne and Bendigo. The town suits those drawn to a peaceful, heritage-rich lifestyle amid central Victoria's attractive bushland and creek country.

Chewton falls under postcode 3451 and is governed by the Mount Alexander Council (Local Government Area). For federal elections, residents vote in the electorate of Bendigo, while state elections fall under the Macedon (Northern Victoria) electorate.

📍 Location

State
Victoria
Postcode
3451
Urban Area
N/A
LGA / Council
Mount Alexander
Federal Electorate
Bendigo
State Electorate
Macedon (Northern Victoria)
Type
Locality
Timezone
Melbourne (UTC+10)
Coordinates
-37.13°, 144.21°
Statistical Area
N/A
Area
24.04 km²
Population Density
32 /km²
Elevation
0m

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💰 Income

ATO taxable income Postcode 3451

Median taxable income for individual taxpayers in postcode 3451, comparing the 2019–20 and 2023–24 financial years.

Median 2019–20
$42,632
Median 2023–24
$51,501
▲ 20.8% increase
Average taxable income (2023–24)
$64,269

Source: ATO Taxation Statistics 2023–24, Individuals Table 8 (median & average taxable income by postcode). Covers all individuals who lodged a return in postcode 3451; postcodes with fewer than 200 lodgments are suppressed by the ATO.

🚌 Transport & Commute

Nearest Train Stations

Castlemaine
5 km
60 min

Bus Services

  • Dyson's Bus Lines local services — Castlemaine 10-15 min

Commute to Melbourne CBD

Distance
116 km
By Train
~1h 40min from Castlemaine on V/Line Bendigo Line to Southern Cross
By Car (Peak)
90-120 min
By Car (Off-Peak)
80-100 min

🛣️ Drive to Castlemaine then catch V/Line; Calder Freeway (A79) for direct drive to Melbourne

Walkability Almost All Errands Require a Car

Small township with very limited local services; most residents drive to Castlemaine for shopping and daily needs

🛒 Supermarkets Nearby

No major supermarkets listed for this suburb.

🎓 Schools

👥 Demographics

Census 2016
0
Census 2021
763
▲ 0% growth

Population Growth

Gender Distribution (Census 2021)

📊 Population: ABS Census 2021

🚔 Crime Statistics LGA-wide

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

Break & enter (dwelling)
304.2 / 100k
2yr Up 56.5% 10yr Down 14.6%
Motor vehicle theft
118.8 / 100k
2yr Up 22.2% 10yr Stable
Non-FV assault
232.9 / 100k
2yr Up 65.2% 10yr Up 20.2%
Robbery (unarmed)
0 / 100k
2yr — 10yr —
Steal from vehicle
313.7 / 100k
2yr Up 43.4% 10yr Stable
View all offence subgroups for Mount Alexander →

Source: Crime Statistics Agency Victoria

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Nearby Suburbs

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Chewton known for? +

Chewton is best known for its role in the Victorian gold rush of the 1850s, with a rich heritage of historic buildings, old mine sites, and goldfields-era character. It sits in the picturesque central Victorian landscape near Castlemaine.

How far is Chewton from Melbourne? +

Chewton is approximately 116 kilometres north-west of Melbourne, around a 90–120 minute drive via the Calder Freeway, or accessible by V/Line train to Castlemaine (approximately 1 hour 40 minutes) then a short drive.

Does Chewton have public transport? +

The nearest V/Line train station is at Castlemaine, approximately 5 kilometres west, on the Bendigo Line to Melbourne and Bendigo. Local bus connections to Castlemaine are available, but a car is the most practical option for day-to-day travel.

What is the population of Chewton? +

According to the 2021 Census, Chewton has a population of 763 residents across approximately 24 square kilometres of Mount Alexander Shire.

Is Chewton a good place to live? +

Chewton is a great fit for those who appreciate heritage, nature, and a quiet rural lifestyle within easy reach of Castlemaine's arts scene, cafes, and services. It is particularly popular with retirees, artists, and those seeking an affordable central Victorian lifestyle.

What is the postcode for Chewton? +

The postcode for Chewton is 3451.

Is Chewton a safe area? +

Crime statistics are recorded at the Local Government Area level. Chewton is part of the Mount Alexander 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.