🔍

Dunkeld

VIC 3294 • Victoria

688
Population (2021)
N/A
Median Personal Income
290.39 km²
Area
N/A
Median Rent
RuralHistoricTourist HubPeacefulMountain
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About Dunkeld

Dunkeld is a small historic town in the Shire of Southern Grampians, Victoria, situated at the southern gateway to the Grampians National Park approximately 283 kilometres west of Melbourne. The town sits at an elevation of 252 metres and covers a large locality of around 290 square kilometres, with a population of 688 at the 2021 Census. Dunkeld is one of Victoria's most picturesque rural towns, with the dramatic silhouette of Mount Sturgeon and Mount Abrupt forming a striking backdrop to the south.

Dunkeld is renowned for the Royal Mail Hotel, one of Australia's most celebrated regional restaurants and accommodation properties, which draws visitors from across the country to its acclaimed dining and magnificent Grampians views. The town also offers access to walking trails in the southern Grampians, wildlife spotting (including kangaroos and emus), and the Southern Grampians Visitor Centre. For those who seek a quiet rural lifestyle surrounded by world-class natural scenery — and with the nearest regional centre of Hamilton just 33 kilometres to the south-west — Dunkeld offers a genuinely special sense of place.

Dunkeld falls under postcode 3294 and is governed by the Southern Grampians 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
3294
Urban Area
N/A
LGA / Council
Southern Grampians
Federal Electorate
Wannon
State Electorate
Lowan (Western Victoria)
Type
Locality
Timezone
Melbourne (UTC+10)
Coordinates
-37.57°, 142.31°
Statistical Area
N/A
Area
290.39 km²
Population Density
2 /km²
Elevation
0m

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🏷️ Property Prices June quarter 2025

Median sale prices in Dunkeld for the June quarter 2025. Median sale prices published by the Valuer-General Victoria.

🏡House
$418K
5 sales · ▲ 19.3% YoY

Source: Valuer-General Victoria — Victorian Property Sales Report. Medians are for the latest quarter; the change shown is the official 12-month movement. Suburbs with very few sales in a quarter can be volatile.

💰 Income

ATO taxable income Postcode 3294

Median taxable income for individual taxpayers in postcode 3294 for the 2023–24 financial year (2019–20 data not published for this postcode).

Median 2019–20
N/A
Median 2023–24
$44,837
Average taxable income (2023–24)
$50,052

Source: ATO Taxation Statistics 2023–24, Individuals Table 8 (median & average taxable income by postcode). Covers all individuals who lodged a return in postcode 3294; postcodes with fewer than 200 lodgments are suppressed by the ATO.

🚌 Transport & Commute

Bus Services

  • V/Line coach services — Hamilton and Ballarat 35 min to Hamilton; 2.5 hrs to Ballarat

Commute to Melbourne CBD

Distance
283 km
By Train
No direct train — drive to Ararat then V/Line to Melbourne (approx. 2.5 hrs)
By Car (Peak)
3.0-3.5 hrs
By Car (Off-Peak)
2.5-3.0 hrs

🛣️ Remote rural town; car essential. Glenelg Highway provides main road access.

Walkability Almost All Errands Require a Car

A small rural town with limited local services — most errands require a car to Hamilton or other regional centres.

🛒 Supermarkets Nearby

No major supermarkets listed for this suburb.

🎓 Schools

👥 Demographics

Census 2016
0
Census 2021
688
▲ 0% growth

Population Growth

Gender Distribution (Census 2021)

📊 Population: ABS Census 2021

🚔 Crime Statistics LGA-wide

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

Break & enter (dwelling)
139.1 / 100k
2yr Up 34.7% 10yr Down 59.2%
Motor vehicle theft
72.6 / 100k
2yr Up 19.5% 10yr Down 26.9%
Non-FV assault
405.2 / 100k
2yr Stable 10yr Up 104.1%
Robbery (unarmed)
0 / 100k
2yr — 10yr —
Steal from vehicle
133 / 100k
2yr Stable 10yr Down 57.9%
View all offence subgroups for Southern Grampians →

Source: Crime Statistics Agency Victoria

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Nearby Suburbs

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Dunkeld known for? +

Dunkeld is best known as the southern gateway to the Grampians National Park and for the Royal Mail Hotel, one of Australia's most celebrated regional restaurants and accommodation venues. The town is also renowned for its dramatic views of Mount Sturgeon and Mount Abrupt.

How far is Dunkeld from Melbourne CBD? +

Dunkeld is approximately 283 kilometres west of Melbourne CBD, typically a 2.5-3.5 hour drive via the Western Highway and Glenelg Highway.

Does Dunkeld have public transport? +

Dunkeld has very limited public transport. There is no local rail service; V/Line coaches connect the town to Hamilton and regional centres. A car is essential for daily life and travel to Melbourne.

What is the population of Dunkeld? +

According to the 2021 Census, Dunkeld has a population of 688 residents. The population has remained relatively steady, though the community is aging — a common pattern in remote Victorian rural towns.

Is Dunkeld a good place to live? +

Dunkeld offers a rare combination of spectacular natural scenery, a close-knit community, and access to world-class dining at the Royal Mail Hotel — making it appealing to those seeking a quiet rural lifestyle or tourism-related work. It is remote, with Hamilton as the nearest significant service centre.

What is the postcode for Dunkeld? +

The postcode for Dunkeld is 3294.

What is the median house price in Dunkeld? +

As of June quarter 2025, the median house price is $417,500, up 19.3% year-on-year. Figures are based on Valuer-General Victoria — Victorian Property Sales Report.

Is Dunkeld a safe area? +

Crime statistics are recorded at the Local Government Area level. Dunkeld is part of the Southern Grampians 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.