🔍

Elphinstone

VIC 3448 • Victoria

633
Population (2021)
N/A
Median Personal Income
84.04 km²
Area
N/A
Median Rent
RuralSemi-RuralLeafyUp-and-Coming
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About Elphinstone

Elphinstone is a small rural town in Victoria's Mount Alexander Shire, situated approximately 109 kilometres north-west of Melbourne and 13 kilometres east of Castlemaine. The town sits at an elevation of around 422 metres in the central Victorian goldfields region, at the junction of the former Calder Highway and the Pyrenees Highway. The 2021 Census recorded a population of 633 residents in the locality, which covers approximately 84 square kilometres of farming and bushland.

The area has a quiet, country character with a mix of hobby farms, lifestyle properties, and small-scale agriculture. Elphinstone is within easy reach of Castlemaine, which offers galleries, cafes, a farmers market, and the Castlemaine State Festival. The nearby Taradale and Kyneton townships also provide shops, schools, and community services. The central Victorian landscape of rolling paddocks, granite outcrops, and eucalypt woodland attracts tree-changers and artists drawn by the region's creative reputation and affordability relative to Melbourne.

Elphinstone falls under postcode 3448 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
3448
Urban Area
N/A
LGA / Council
Mount Alexander
Federal Electorate
Bendigo
State Electorate
Macedon (Northern Victoria)
Type
Locality
Timezone
Melbourne (UTC+10)
Coordinates
-37.08°, 144.39°
Statistical Area
N/A
Area
84.04 km²
Population Density
8 /km²
Elevation
0m

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💰 Income

ATO taxable income Postcode 3448

Median taxable income for individual taxpayers in postcode 3448 for the 2023–24 financial year (2019–20 data not published for this postcode).

Median 2019–20
N/A
Median 2023–24
$48,535
Average taxable income (2023–24)
$66,327

Source: ATO Taxation Statistics 2023–24, Individuals Table 8 (median & average taxable income by postcode). Covers all individuals who lodged a return in postcode 3448; postcodes with fewer than 200 lodgments are suppressed by the ATO.

🚌 Transport & Commute

Nearest Train Stations

Kyneton Railway Station
15 km
N/A (drive required)
Castlemaine Railway Station
14 km
N/A (drive required)

Bus Services

  • Limited local services — Castlemaine / Kyneton approx. 20 min by car

Commute to Melbourne CBD

Distance
109 km
By Train
Drive to Kyneton (~15 km) then approx. 80 min to Melbourne Southern Cross on the Calder line
By Car (Peak)
1 hr 30 min–2 hrs
By Car (Off-Peak)
1 hr 10 min–1 hr 30 min

🛣️ Calder Freeway provides the main road connection to Melbourne; nearby Kyneton and Castlemaine stations offer V/Line train services

Walkability Almost All Errands Require a Car

Elphinstone is a dispersed rural locality; a car is required for all shopping and services

🛒 Supermarkets Nearby

No major supermarkets listed for this suburb.

🎓 Schools

👥 Demographics

Census 2016
0
Census 2021
633
▲ 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 Elphinstone. 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 Elphinstone known for? +

Elphinstone is known for its rural charm, scenic central Victorian goldfields landscape, and proximity to the creative hub of Castlemaine. The area attracts lifestyle property buyers, hobby farmers, and those seeking a country alternative within reasonable reach of Melbourne.

How far is Elphinstone from Melbourne? +

Elphinstone is approximately 109 kilometres north-west of Melbourne, making it roughly a 1.5 to 2 hour drive via the Calder Freeway.

Does Elphinstone have public transport? +

Elphinstone itself has no local public transport. The nearest V/Line train stations are at Kyneton (approximately 15 km) and Castlemaine (approximately 14 km), both on lines running to Melbourne Southern Cross. A car is essential for daily travel.

What is the population of Elphinstone? +

According to the 2021 Census, Elphinstone had a population of 633 residents spread across a largely rural area of approximately 84 square kilometres in the Mount Alexander Shire.

Is Elphinstone a good place to live? +

Elphinstone suits those seeking a rural lifestyle with easy access to the vibrant arts and foodie scene of Castlemaine and Kyneton, while remaining within reasonable distance of Melbourne. It appeals to tree-changers, hobby farmers, and those valuing open space and community over urban convenience.

What is the postcode for Elphinstone? +

The postcode for Elphinstone, Victoria is 3448.

Is Elphinstone a safe area? +

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