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Dadswells Bridge

VIC 3385 • Victoria

69
Population (2021)
N/A
Median Personal Income
128.92 km²
Area
N/A
Median Rent
RuralTourist HubHistoricPeacefulAgricultural
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About Dadswells Bridge

Dadswells Bridge is a small locality in Victoria's Wimmera region, situated along the Western Highway approximately 20 kilometres south-east of Horsham and 28 kilometres north-west of Stawell. The locality spans nearly 129 square kilometres and falls within the Rural City of Horsham and the Shire of Northern Grampians local government areas. With a 2021 Census population of 69 residents, it is a thinly settled community that serves primarily as a rest stop and tourist attraction on the highway route between Melbourne and Adelaide.

Dadswells Bridge is best known as the home of the Giant Koala — a 14-metre bronze sculpture named 'Sam', regarded as the guardian of the Grampians and one of Australia's iconic 'Big Things'. The tourist complex includes a restaurant and souvenir shop, drawing travellers heading to and from the Grampians National Park. The surrounding Wimmera landscape features open plains and distant ranges, and the locality sits at the western gateway to the Grampians, making it a natural stopping point for visitors to this popular national park.

Dadswells Bridge falls under postcode 3385 and is governed by the Horsham Council (Local Government Area). For federal elections, residents vote in the electorate of Wannon, while state elections fall under the Lowan (Western Victoria) electorate.

📍 Location

State
Victoria
Postcode
3385
Urban Area
N/A
LGA / Council
Horsham
Federal Electorate
Wannon
State Electorate
Lowan (Western Victoria)
Type
Locality
Timezone
Melbourne (UTC+10)
Coordinates
-36.90°, 142.65°
Statistical Area
N/A
Area
128.92 km²
Population Density
1 /km²
Elevation
0m

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💰 Income

ATO taxable income Postcode 3385

Median taxable income for individual taxpayers in postcode 3385 for the 2023–24 financial year (2019–20 data not published for this postcode).

Median 2019–20
N/A
Median 2023–24
$41,400
Average taxable income (2023–24)
$62,497

Source: ATO Taxation Statistics 2023–24, Individuals Table 8 (median & average taxable income by postcode). Covers all individuals who lodged a return in postcode 3385; postcodes with fewer than 200 lodgments are suppressed by the ATO.

🚌 Transport & Commute

Bus Services

  • Limited coach services (Firefly/Greyhound) — Melbourne or Adelaide (highway coaches) approx. 3.5 hours to Melbourne

Commute to Melbourne CBD

Distance
285 km
By Train
No direct train service
By Car (Peak)
approx. 3–3.5 hours
By Car (Off-Peak)
approx. 3 hours

🛣️ Located directly on the Western Highway (A8), providing straightforward access to Melbourne via Stawell and Ballarat.

Walkability Almost All Errands Require a Car

A car is essential for all daily needs; the locality has no local shops or services beyond the tourist complex

🛒 Supermarkets Nearby

No major supermarkets listed for this suburb.

🎓 Schools

No schools listed for this postcode.

👥 Demographics

Census 2016
0
Census 2021
69
▲ 0% growth

Population Growth

Gender Distribution (Census 2021)

📊 Population: ABS Census 2021

🚔 Crime Statistics LGA-wide

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

Break & enter (dwelling)
185.9 / 100k
2yr Down 55.0% 10yr Down 63.8%
Motor vehicle theft
83.2 / 100k
2yr Down 15.5% 10yr Down 44.9%
Non-FV assault
528.4 / 100k
2yr Up 18.0% 10yr Down 24.9%
Robbery (unarmed)
4.9 / 100k
2yr Stable 10yr —
Steal from vehicle
288.7 / 100k
2yr Up 54.3% 10yr Down 36.2%
View all offence subgroups for Horsham →

Source: Crime Statistics Agency Victoria

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is Dadswells Bridge known for? +

Dadswells Bridge is best known for the Giant Koala tourist complex — a 14-metre bronze statue named 'Sam' that stands as an iconic landmark on the Western Highway. The statue was renamed in 2009 to honour a koala rescued during the Black Saturday bushfires, and the complex includes a restaurant and gift shop.

How far is Dadswells Bridge from Melbourne CBD? +

Dadswells Bridge is approximately 285 kilometres north-west of Melbourne, about a 3 to 3.5 hour drive via the Western Highway through Ballarat and Stawell.

Does Dadswells Bridge have public transport? +

Dadswells Bridge has no local public transport services. Long-distance coaches travelling the Western Highway between Melbourne and Adelaide may stop nearby, but there is no rail service or local bus network. A car is essential.

What is the population of Dadswells Bridge? +

According to the 2021 Census, Dadswells Bridge has a population of 69 residents. The locality is thinly settled across nearly 129 square kilometres, with most activity centred on the Western Highway tourist complex.

Is Dadswells Bridge a good place to live? +

Dadswells Bridge suits those who value a quiet, rural lifestyle close to the Grampians National Park. While amenities are minimal locally, Horsham (20 km away) provides full services, and the location along the Western Highway gives reasonable access to the broader region.

What is the postcode for Dadswells Bridge? +

The postcode for Dadswells Bridge, Victoria is 3385.

Is Dadswells Bridge a safe area? +

Crime statistics are recorded at the Local Government Area level. Dadswells Bridge is part of the Horsham 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.