🔍

Franklinford

VIC 3461 • Victoria

71
Population (2021)
N/A
Median Personal Income
23.73 km²
Area
N/A
Median Rent
RuralHistoricPeacefulSemi-Rural
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About Franklinford

Franklinford is a small rural locality situated on the Midland Highway in central Victoria, approximately 15 kilometres north of Daylesford and around 120 kilometres north-west of Melbourne, within the Shire of Hepburn. With a population of just 71 residents recorded in the 2021 Census, it is one of the quieter localities in the region, spread across roughly 24 square kilometres of undulating countryside. The area is characterised by grazing land, scattered farmsteads, and a peaceful rural atmosphere typical of the goldfields hinterland.

Franklinford carries significant historical weight as the site of the Loddon Aboriginal Protectorate, established in 1841 by Edward Stone Parker as a settlement for the Dja Dja Wurrung people. The heritage-listed Franklinford Schoolhouse, one of the few mid-1860s common schools surviving in its original rural setting, and the historic Franklinford Cemetery — established in 1842 — are the locality's most notable landmarks. Residents and visitors to the broader region enjoy proximity to the spa country of Daylesford and Hepburn Springs, as well as the historic goldfields town of Newstead. The surrounding landscape, including the nearby extinct volcano of Mount Franklin, appeals to those seeking rural solitude within reach of central Victoria's thriving arts and wellness scene.

Franklinford falls under postcode 3461 and is governed by the Hepburn 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
3461
Urban Area
N/A
LGA / Council
Hepburn
Federal Electorate
Bendigo
State Electorate
Macedon (Northern Victoria)
Type
Locality
Timezone
Melbourne (UTC+10)
Coordinates
-37.29°, 144.17°
Statistical Area
N/A
Area
23.73 km²
Population Density
3 /km²
Elevation
0m

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💰 Income

ATO taxable income Postcode 3461

Median taxable income for individual taxpayers in postcode 3461 for the 2023–24 financial year (2019–20 data not published for this postcode).

Median 2019–20
N/A
Median 2023–24
$46,694
Average taxable income (2023–24)
$74,987

Source: ATO Taxation Statistics 2023–24, Individuals Table 8 (median & average taxable income by postcode). Covers all individuals who lodged a return in postcode 3461; postcodes with fewer than 200 lodgments are suppressed by the ATO.

🚌 Transport & Commute

Bus Services

  • V/Line coach services via Daylesford — Castlemaine / Ballarat Approx. 30-40 min to Castlemaine

Commute to Melbourne CBD

Distance
120 km
By Train
No direct train service; drive to Castlemaine Station (approx. 22 km) then Bendigo Line train to Melbourne (~1 hr 30 min)
By Car (Peak)
1 hr 30 min - 1 hr 45 min
By Car (Off-Peak)
1 hr 15 min - 1 hr 30 min

🛣️ Access via Midland Highway; Daylesford 15 km south for local services

Walkability Almost All Errands Require a Car

Franklinford is a dispersed rural locality with no local shops or services; a car is essential for all daily needs

🛒 Supermarkets Nearby

No major supermarkets listed for this suburb.

🎓 Schools

👥 Demographics

Census 2016
0
Census 2021
71
▲ 0% growth

Population Growth

Gender Distribution (Census 2021)

📊 Population: ABS Census 2021

🚔 Crime Statistics LGA-wide

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

Break & enter (dwelling)
324.1 / 100k
2yr Stable 10yr Down 39.4%
Motor vehicle theft
200.4 / 100k
2yr Up 51.8% 10yr Down 35.2%
Non-FV assault
165 / 100k
2yr Up 31.0% 10yr Up 34.8%
Robbery (unarmed)
0 / 100k
2yr — 10yr —
Steal from vehicle
683.7 / 100k
2yr Up 119.2% 10yr Up 37.8%
View all offence subgroups for Hepburn →

Source: Crime Statistics Agency Victoria

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Nearby Suburbs

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Franklinford known for? +

Franklinford is known for the Loddon Aboriginal Protectorate, established in 1841 as a settlement for the Dja Dja Wurrung people, and for its heritage-listed mid-1860s Schoolhouse — one of the few rural schools of its kind surviving in its original setting in Victoria.

How far is Franklinford from Melbourne? +

Franklinford is approximately 120 kilometres north-west of Melbourne CBD, making it roughly a 1 hour 30 minute drive via the Calder Freeway and Midland Highway, depending on traffic.

Does Franklinford have public transport? +

Franklinford has no rail service of its own. The nearest train station is Castlemaine, approximately 22 kilometres to the east on the Bendigo Line. A car is the most practical way to get around this rural locality.

What is the population of Franklinford? +

According to the 2021 Census, Franklinford has a population of 71 residents, making it one of the smallest localities in the Shire of Hepburn. The area has approximately 28 dwellings.

Is Franklinford a good place to live? +

Franklinford suits those seeking a quiet, semi-rural lifestyle in the Victorian goldfields region, with proximity to the spa and arts town of Daylesford and the historic township of Newstead. It is best suited to residents who are self-sufficient and comfortable with a car-dependent lifestyle far from urban amenities.

What is the postcode for Franklinford? +

The postcode for Franklinford, Victoria is 3461.

Is Franklinford a safe area? +

Crime statistics are recorded at the Local Government Area level. Franklinford is part of the Hepburn 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.