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Fernbank

VIC 3864 • Victoria

194
Population (2021)
N/A
Median Personal Income
120.49 km²
Area
N/A
Median Rent
RuralRemoteAgriculturalRiversideQuiet
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About Fernbank

Fernbank is a small rural locality on the banks of the Perry River in East Gippsland, Victoria, approximately 310 kilometres east of Melbourne within the Shire of East Gippsland. The locality sits roughly 30 kilometres west of Bairnsdale and 40 kilometres north-east of Sale, placing it in the heart of the Gippsland plains. With a population of around 194 residents, Fernbank is a tight-knit community spread across a large area of 120 square kilometres, with a character shaped by farming and the natural surrounds of the Perry River valley.

The Princes Highway runs close to the locality, historically making Fernbank a stopping point for travellers heading east through Gippsland. The area supports a quiet rural lifestyle centred on agricultural land uses, with Sale and Bairnsdale providing the nearest access to supermarkets, schools, healthcare, and other services. Fernbank takes its name from the ferns that grow along the banks of the Perry River, and the locality retains a peaceful, nature-rich atmosphere suited to those who value wide open spaces and a genuine country way of life.

Fernbank falls under postcode 3864 and is governed by the East Gippsland Council (Local Government Area). For federal elections, residents vote in the electorate of Gippsland, while state elections fall under the Gippsland East (Eastern Victoria) electorate.

📍 Location

State
Victoria
Postcode
3864
Urban Area
N/A
LGA / Council
East Gippsland
Federal Electorate
Gippsland
State Electorate
Gippsland East (Eastern Victoria)
Type
Locality
Timezone
Melbourne (UTC+10)
Coordinates
-37.86°, 147.34°
Statistical Area
N/A
Area
120.49 km²
Population Density
2 /km²
Elevation
0m

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🚌 Transport & Commute

Bus Services

  • Limited regional coach services — Bairnsdale / Sale Approx. 30-40 min to Bairnsdale

Commute to Melbourne CBD

Distance
310 km
By Train
No direct service; nearest train from Bairnsdale station (V/Line to Melbourne ~3.5 hrs)
By Car (Peak)
3.5–4 hrs
By Car (Off-Peak)
3–3.5 hrs

🛣️ Princes Highway (A1) provides the main road connection east and west through Gippsland

Walkability Almost All Errands Require a Car

A car is essential for all daily needs; the nearest shops and services are in Bairnsdale or Sale

🛒 Supermarkets Nearby

No major supermarkets listed for this suburb.

🎓 Schools

No schools listed for this postcode.

👥 Demographics

Census 2016
0
Census 2021
194
▲ 0% growth

Population Growth

Gender Distribution (Census 2021)

📊 Population: ABS Census 2021

🚔 Crime Statistics LGA-wide

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

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is Fernbank known for? +

Fernbank is known for its peaceful rural character on the Perry River in East Gippsland, with the locality's name believed to derive from the ferns that grow along the river banks. The Princes Highway nearby has historically made it a stopover point for travellers moving through Gippsland.

How far is Fernbank from Melbourne? +

Fernbank is approximately 310 kilometres east of Melbourne, making it roughly a 3 to 3.5 hour drive via the Princes Highway through Gippsland.

Does Fernbank have public transport? +

There is no rail service in Fernbank. The nearest train station is in Bairnsdale, approximately 30 kilometres to the east, which is served by V/Line trains to Melbourne. A car is the most practical way to travel to and from Fernbank.

What is the population of Fernbank? +

According to the 2021 Census, Fernbank has a population of approximately 194 residents, spread across a large rural area of around 120 square kilometres in East Gippsland.

Is Fernbank a good place to live? +

Fernbank suits people seeking a quiet, semi-remote rural lifestyle in Gippsland, close to the natural beauty of the Perry River and East Gippsland's landscapes. Those who prefer urban conveniences may find the distance from Bairnsdale and Sale challenging for day-to-day needs.

What is the postcode for Fernbank? +

The postcode for Fernbank, VIC is 3864.

Is Fernbank a safe area? +

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