🔍

Giffard West

VIC 3851 • Victoria

72
Population (2021)
N/A
Median Personal Income
96.26 km²
Area
N/A
Median Rent
RuralCoastalAgriculturalQuiet
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About Giffard West

Giffard West is a rural locality in the Shire of Wellington in Victoria's Gippsland region, situated approximately 29 kilometres south of Sale on the Gippsland coastal plains. The locality fronts the South Gippsland Highway and is characterised by a mix of grazing properties, hardwood plantations, and areas of native bush featuring yellow stringybark, peppermint gums, and paperbark tea-tree in the wetter sections. With a 2021 Census population of 72 residents across roughly 96 square kilometres, Giffard West is a sparsely settled farming area typical of the Gippsland lowlands.

Despite its rural seclusion, Giffard West enjoys easy access to the Ninety Mile Beach — one of Australia's longest stretches of surf beach — which lies just 15 minutes south by car, making the area appealing to those who seek a country lifestyle with coastal recreation close at hand. The regional city of Sale, 29 kilometres to the north, provides all major services including shopping, hospitals, and schools. Residents are also within reach of the scenic Gippsland Lakes, and the locality sits within the South Gippsland state electorate, reflecting its connection to coastal and agricultural Gippsland communities.

Giffard West falls under postcode 3851 and is governed by the Wellington Council (Local Government Area). For federal elections, residents vote in the electorate of Gippsland, while state elections fall under the Gippsland South (Eastern Victoria) electorate.

📍 Location

State
Victoria
Postcode
3851
Urban Area
N/A
LGA / Council
Wellington
Federal Electorate
Gippsland
State Electorate
Gippsland South (Eastern Victoria)
Type
Locality
Timezone
Melbourne (UTC+10)
Coordinates
-38.04°, 147.08°
Statistical Area
N/A
Area
96.26 km²
Population Density
1 /km²
Elevation
0m

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💰 Income

ATO taxable income Postcode 3851

Median taxable income for individual taxpayers in postcode 3851, comparing the 2019–20 and 2023–24 financial years.

Median 2019–20
$38,823
Median 2023–24
$46,324
▲ 19.3% increase
Average taxable income (2023–24)
$61,946

Source: ATO Taxation Statistics 2023–24, Individuals Table 8 (median & average taxable income by postcode). Covers all individuals who lodged a return in postcode 3851; postcodes with fewer than 200 lodgments are suppressed by the ATO.

🚌 Transport & Commute

Nearest Train Stations

Sale
29 km
N/A (car only)

Bus Services

  • No regular bus service — N/A Car required to access Sale for V/Line services

Commute to Melbourne CBD

Distance
200 km
By Train
No direct service; drive to Sale (29 km) then V/Line to Melbourne (approx. 2 hrs 15 min from Sale)
By Car (Peak)
2 hrs 15 min–2 hrs 45 min
By Car (Off-Peak)
2 hrs–2 hrs 15 min

🛣️ South Gippsland Highway links to Sale; Princes Highway connects Sale to Melbourne via Traralgon and Dandenong

Walkability Almost All Errands Require a Car

Giffard West is a rural locality with no local shops or services; all errands require driving to Sale or nearby towns

🛒 Supermarkets Nearby

No major supermarkets listed for this suburb.

🎓 Schools

👥 Demographics

Census 2016
0
Census 2021
72
▲ 0% growth

Population Growth

Gender Distribution (Census 2021)

📊 Population: ABS Census 2021

🚔 Crime Statistics LGA-wide

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

Break & enter (dwelling)
494.7 / 100k
2yr Up 59.5% 10yr Down 28.0%
Motor vehicle theft
191.9 / 100k
2yr Up 84.4% 10yr Up 57.6%
Non-FV assault
432.8 / 100k
2yr Up 10.3% 10yr Stable
Robbery (unarmed)
0 / 100k
2yr Down 100.0% 10yr —
Steal from vehicle
577.8 / 100k
2yr Up 81.3% 10yr Up 72.3%
View all offence subgroups for Wellington →

Source: Crime Statistics Agency Victoria

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Nearby Suburbs

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Giffard West known for? +

Giffard West is a quiet rural locality in Gippsland known for its agricultural character and its convenient proximity to the Ninety Mile Beach, one of Australia's longest surf beaches, just a 15-minute drive to the south. The area offers a peaceful country lifestyle on the Gippsland coastal plains within easy reach of Sale.

How far is Giffard West from Melbourne CBD? +

Giffard West is approximately 200 kilometres east of Melbourne CBD, a drive of around 2 to 2.5 hours via the Princes Highway through Traralgon and Sale.

Does Giffard West have public transport? +

There is no public transport serving Giffard West directly. The nearest V/Line rail service is at Sale, approximately 29 kilometres to the north, where trains run regularly to Bairnsdale and Melbourne. A private vehicle is essential for Giffard West residents.

What is the population of Giffard West? +

According to the 2021 Census, Giffard West has a population of 72 residents, predominantly older couples, spread across approximately 96 square kilometres of coastal plains in Wellington Shire.

Is Giffard West a good place to live? +

Giffard West suits those who value a quiet rural lifestyle with easy access to coastal recreation. The nearby Ninety Mile Beach is a drawcard, and Sale provides all major services and transport connections. However, the locality is car-dependent and suited to residents comfortable with a rural, semi-isolated way of life.

What is the postcode for Giffard West? +

The postcode for Giffard West is 3851.

Is Giffard West a safe area? +

Crime statistics are recorded at the Local Government Area level. Giffard West is part of the Wellington 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.