🔍

East Bairnsdale

VIC 3875 • Rest of VIC

1,352
Population (2021)
$50,284
Median Household Income
36.70 km²
Area
$250/wk
Median Rent
RuralFamily-FriendlyRiversideAffordableEstablished

About East Bairnsdale

East Bairnsdale is an urban locality on the eastern edge of Bairnsdale, the largest town in the East Gippsland Shire of Victoria, approximately 280 kilometres east of Melbourne CBD. With a population of 1,352, it forms part of the broader Bairnsdale urban area, which serves as the major regional centre for East Gippsland and the gateway to the Mitchell River Delta and the Gippsland Lakes. The area has a relatively modest median household income of around $50,000 annually and a slightly higher proportion of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander residents than the state average, reflecting East Gippsland's diverse community character.

Residents of East Bairnsdale benefit from access to Bairnsdale's full range of services including hospitals, schools, shopping centres, and recreational facilities along the Mitchell River. The Bairnsdale railway station — the terminus of the Bairnsdale Line from Melbourne — provides a direct rail link to the city, with journey times of approximately 3 hours to Flinders Street Station. The suburb is well-placed for enjoying East Gippsland's famous natural attractions, including the Gippsland Lakes, Mitchell River National Park, and the broader High Country, making it popular with families, retirees, and outdoor enthusiasts who value a regional lifestyle with good connectivity.

East Bairnsdale falls under postcode 3875 and is governed by East Gippsland Council (LGA). For state elections, residents vote in the Gippsland East (Eastern Victoria) electorate.

📰 Featured In

📰 Victoria Suburbs with the Most Housing Commission

📍 Location

State
Victoria
Postcode
3875
Urban Area
Bairnsdale
LGA / Council
East Gippsland
Federal Electorate
Gippsland
State Electorate
Gippsland East (Eastern Victoria)
Type
Urban
Timezone
Melbourne (UTC+10)
Coordinates
-37.86°, 147.69°
Statistical Area
Rest of VIC
Area
36.70 km²
Elevation
0m

🏷️ Property Prices June quarter 2025

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

🏡House
$363K
12 sales · ▲ 1.4% 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.

🏠 Housing 2021 Census

Median Rent (weekly)
$250
Median Mortgage (monthly)
$1,088
Avg Household Size
2.2 people
Median Age
45 years
Social Housing (% of dwellings)
15.1%

67 state housing + 11 community housing dwellings (ABS 2021 Census)

🚌 Transport & Commute

Nearest Train Stations

Bairnsdale
2.5 km
30 min

Bus Services

  • Local bus services — Bairnsdale town centre / surrounds 10-20 min

Commute to Melbourne CBD

Distance
280 km
By Train
Bairnsdale to Flinders Street approx. 3 hrs via Bairnsdale Line
By Car (Peak)
3 hrs - 3 hrs 30 min
By Car (Off-Peak)
2 hrs 45 min - 3 hrs 10 min

🛣️ Princes Highway is the main road connection to Melbourne; Bairnsdale is the eastern terminus of the regional rail line

Walkability Car-Dependent

East Bairnsdale is a low-density outer suburb of Bairnsdale; most services and shops require a short drive to the town centre

🛒 Supermarkets Nearby

No major supermarkets listed for this suburb.

🎓 Schools

🚔 Crime Statistics LGA-wide

These are the latest rates for the East Gippsland Local Government Area, which contains East Bairnsdale. 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

🎓 Educational Institution Attending 2021 Census

School Sector Breakdown

👥 Demographics

Census 2016
1,298
Census 2021
1,352
▲ 4.2% growth

Population Growth

Gender Distribution (Census 2021)

Personal Income 2016
$24,804
Personal Income 2021
$28,652
▲ 15.5% increase

2021 Census income breakdown

Personal = median for one earner. Household = all members of a dwelling pooled. Family = related members only. Annual = weekly × 52.

Personal
$28,652 / yr
$551/wk
Household
$50,284 / yr
$967/wk
Family
$62,244 / yr
$1197/wk

Personal Income Comparison (2016 vs 2021)

📊 Population: ABS Census 2021
💰 Income: ABS Census 2021

🌍 Country of Birth 2021 Census

Born in Australia 1,018
Born Overseas 124

Top Countries of Birth (excl. Australia)

  • 1. England 16
  • 2. New Zealand 15
  • 3. Philippines 9
  • 4. Italy 8
  • 5. Netherlands 7
  • 6. India 6
  • 7. China 5
  • 8. Germany 5
  • 9. Vietnam 5
  • 10. South Africa 4

🧬 Ancestry 2021 Census

Top ancestries reported (people may report up to two)

English 536
Australian 503
Irish 141
Scottish 127
Australian Aboriginal 81
German 50
Italian 47
Dutch 23
Filipino 13
Chinese 8

👨‍👩‍👧 Parents' Birthplace 2021 Census

887
Both parents born in Australia
153
Both parents born overseas
109
One parent AU, one overseas

🛐 Religion 2021 Census

No Religion
48.8%
Christianity
34.2%
Buddhism
0.7%
Hinduism
0.6%
Judaism
0.3%
Islam
0.2%

📊 Age Distribution 2021 Census

0-4 years
81 (6.0%)
5-14 years
148 (10.9%)
15-19 years
80 (5.9%)
20-24 years
97 (7.2%)
25-34 years
149 (11.0%)
35-44 years
114 (8.4%)
45-54 years
176 (13.0%)
55-64 years
183 (13.5%)
65-74 years
206 (15.2%)
75-84 years
97 (7.2%)
85+ years
22 (1.6%)

Nearby Suburbs

Frequently Asked Questions

What is East Bairnsdale known for? +

East Bairnsdale is part of the Bairnsdale urban area, which is the main regional centre of East Gippsland. The broader area is known for the Gippsland Lakes, the Mitchell River, and as a gateway to the East Gippsland wilderness and High Country.

How far is East Bairnsdale from Melbourne? +

East Bairnsdale is approximately 280 kilometres east of Melbourne CBD, typically a 3 to 3.5 hour drive via the Princes Highway.

Does East Bairnsdale have public transport? +

Bairnsdale railway station, about 2.5 kilometres away, is the terminus of the Bairnsdale Line from Melbourne, with trains running to Flinders Street Station in approximately 3 hours. Local bus services also operate within the Bairnsdale area.

What is the population of East Bairnsdale? +

According to the 2021 Census, East Bairnsdale has a population of 1,352 residents. The suburb has a slightly higher proportion of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander residents than the Victorian average.

Is East Bairnsdale a good place to live? +

East Bairnsdale offers affordable regional living with access to Bairnsdale's services and the spectacular natural environment of East Gippsland. It suits families and retirees who value open space, the outdoors, and a relaxed community lifestyle within reach of a well-serviced regional town.

What is the postcode for East Bairnsdale? +

The postcode for East Bairnsdale, Victoria is 3875, shared with central Bairnsdale.

What is the average income in East Bairnsdale? +

Based on the 2021 Census, the median personal income in East Bairnsdale is about $551 per week (around $28,700 per year). The median household income is $967 per week and the median family income is $1,197 per week.

What is the median house price in East Bairnsdale? +

As of June quarter 2025, the median house price is $362,500, up 1.4% year-on-year. Figures are based on Valuer-General Victoria — Victorian Property Sales Report.

What is the age profile of East Bairnsdale? +

The median age in East Bairnsdale is 45. The largest age group is 65–74 (206 residents, around 15%). Around 23% of residents are under 20 and about 24% are aged 65 or older. (2021 Census)

Is East Bairnsdale a safe area? +

Crime statistics are recorded at the Local Government Area level. East Bairnsdale 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.

How much is rent in East Bairnsdale? +

In East Bairnsdale, the median weekly rent is $250, and the median monthly mortgage repayment is $1,088 (2021 Census).