🔍

Fairhaven

VIC 3231 • Victoria

390
Population (2021)
N/A
Median Personal Income
7.97 km²
Area
N/A
Median Rent
CoastalBeachsideTourist HubQuietSurf Culture
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About Fairhaven

Fairhaven is a small coastal town in Victoria's Surf Coast Shire, located approximately 106 kilometres south-west of Melbourne and 43 kilometres south-west of Geelong along the famous Great Ocean Road. With a resident population of 390, the town covers around 8 square kilometres and adjoins the neighbouring township of Aireys Inlet, from which it is separated by the Painkalac Creek. Fairhaven is a popular holiday destination, with many of its properties used as holiday homes by visitors from Melbourne and Geelong rather than permanent residences.

The town is best known for Fairhaven Beach, at approximately 6 kilometres long the longest beach on the Great Ocean Road, making it a premier surfing and swimming destination on Victoria's Surf Coast. The Fairhaven Surf Lifesaving Club, founded in 1957, serves as the social heart of the community, and a modern clubhouse built in 2013 supports both residents and the many visitors who arrive in summer. A celebrated local landmark is the Pole House, an iconic home perched on a concrete column 40 metres above the beach that has become one of the most photographed structures on the Great Ocean Road.

Fairhaven falls under postcode 3231 and is governed by the Surf Coast Council (Local Government Area). For federal elections, residents vote in the electorate of Corangamite, while state elections fall under the Polwarth (Western Victoria) electorate.

📍 Location

State
Victoria
Postcode
3231
Urban Area
N/A
LGA / Council
Surf Coast
Federal Electorate
Corangamite
State Electorate
Polwarth (Western Victoria)
Type
Locality
Timezone
Melbourne (UTC+10)
Coordinates
-38.46°, 144.11°
Statistical Area
N/A
Area
7.97 km²
Population Density
49 /km²
Elevation
0m

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💰 Income

ATO taxable income Postcode 3231

Median taxable income for individual taxpayers in postcode 3231 for the 2023–24 financial year (2019–20 data not published for this postcode).

Median 2019–20
N/A
Median 2023–24
$49,261
Average taxable income (2023–24)
$93,393

Source: ATO Taxation Statistics 2023–24, Individuals Table 8 (median & average taxable income by postcode). Covers all individuals who lodged a return in postcode 3231; postcodes with fewer than 200 lodgments are suppressed by the ATO.

🚌 Transport & Commute

Bus Services

  • McHarry's Buslines Great Ocean Road service — Geelong (via Torquay and Anglesea) ~1.5 hours to Geelong

Commute to Melbourne CBD

Distance
106 km
By Train
No direct train; drive to Geelong (~43km) then V/Line ~1 hour to Southern Cross Station
By Car (Peak)
1.5–2.5 hours
By Car (Off-Peak)
1.5 hours

🛣️ Great Ocean Road (B100) is the main coastal route; Princes Highway via Geelong is faster inland route to Melbourne

Walkability Almost All Errands Require a Car

Fairhaven is a small coastal town with limited local services; residents typically drive to Aireys Inlet or Lorne for everyday needs

🛒 Supermarkets Nearby

No major supermarkets listed for this suburb.

🎓 Schools

👥 Demographics

Census 2016
0
Census 2021
390
▲ 0% growth

Population Growth

Gender Distribution (Census 2021)

📊 Population: ABS Census 2021

🚔 Crime Statistics LGA-wide

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

Break & enter (dwelling)
135.6 / 100k
2yr Stable 10yr Down 71.3%
Motor vehicle theft
98.6 / 100k
2yr Up 84.6% 10yr Down 57.1%
Non-FV assault
128.2 / 100k
2yr Up 14.5% 10yr Stable
Robbery (unarmed)
2.5 / 100k
2yr — 10yr Down 62.4%
Steal from vehicle
347.7 / 100k
2yr Up 15.8% 10yr Down 46.5%
View all offence subgroups for Surf Coast →

Source: Crime Statistics Agency Victoria

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Nearby Suburbs

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Fairhaven known for? +

Fairhaven is known for Fairhaven Beach — the longest beach on the Great Ocean Road at approximately 6 kilometres — and the iconic Pole House, a striking private residence perched 40 metres above the beach on a concrete column. The Fairhaven Surf Lifesaving Club, founded in 1957, is also a beloved community institution.

How far is Fairhaven from Melbourne? +

Fairhaven is approximately 106 kilometres south-west of Melbourne, with a typical drive of around 1.5 to 2 hours via the Great Ocean Road or the Princes Highway through Geelong.

Does Fairhaven have public transport? +

Fairhaven is served by McHarry's Buslines Great Ocean Road coach services connecting to Geelong, though services are infrequent. There is no rail service; the nearest train station is in Geelong, approximately 43 kilometres to the north-east, with V/Line trains to Melbourne.

What is the population of Fairhaven? +

According to the 2021 Census, Fairhaven has a permanent population of approximately 390 residents, though the town accommodates significantly more visitors and holiday homeowners throughout the warmer months.

Is Fairhaven a good place to live? +

Fairhaven offers a spectacular coastal lifestyle on the Great Ocean Road, with world-class surfing, stunning beach scenery, and a community centred around the surf lifesaving club. It suits beach lovers and those seeking a relaxed holiday-town atmosphere, though residents rely on Aireys Inlet or Lorne for most everyday services.

What is the postcode for Fairhaven? +

The postcode for Fairhaven, VIC is 3231.

Is Fairhaven a safe area? +

Crime statistics are recorded at the Local Government Area level. Fairhaven is part of the Surf Coast 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.