🔍

Great Western

VIC 3374 • Victoria

425
Population (2021)
N/A
Median Personal Income
154.92 km²
Area
N/A
Median Rent
Wine RegionHistoricRuralHeritageGrampians
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About Great Western

Great Western is a small historic town in the Wimmera region of Victoria, located on the Western Highway approximately 225 kilometres north-west of Melbourne within the Northern Grampians Shire. The town sits 19 kilometres north of Ararat and 16 kilometres south-east of Stawell, nestled in wine-growing country at the eastern edge of the Grampians region. European settlers arrived as sheep graziers in the 1840s, with the township growing during the Victorian gold rush and the Post Office opening in 1858. The 2021 Census recorded a population of 425 residents.

Great Western is celebrated as one of Australia's premier wine villages, home to the iconic Seppelt Great Western winery — featuring over three kilometres of underground tunnels ("drives") originally carved by unemployed gold miners to age sparkling wine — and Best's Wines (Concongella vineyard), one of Australia's oldest family wine estates. The town hosts the annual Great Western Cup horse racing carnival on Australia Day and a popular rodeo. Visitors and locals enjoy the heritage streetscape with its general store, hotel, and historic churches, while the surrounding Grampians landscape offers world-class natural attractions within easy driving distance.

Great Western falls under postcode 3374 and is governed by the Northern Grampians Council (Local Government Area). For federal elections, residents vote in the electorate of Wannon, while state elections fall under the Ripon (Western Victoria) electorate.

📍 Location

State
Victoria
Postcode
3374
Urban Area
N/A
LGA / Council
Northern Grampians
Federal Electorate
Wannon
State Electorate
Ripon (Western Victoria)
Type
Locality
Timezone
Melbourne (UTC+10)
Coordinates
-37.23°, 142.96°
Statistical Area
N/A
Area
154.92 km²
Population Density
3 /km²
Elevation
0m

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💰 Income

ATO taxable income Postcode 3374

Median taxable income for individual taxpayers in postcode 3374 for the 2023–24 financial year (2019–20 data not published for this postcode).

Median 2019–20
N/A
Median 2023–24
$54,034
Average taxable income (2023–24)
$61,590

Source: ATO Taxation Statistics 2023–24, Individuals Table 8 (median & average taxable income by postcode). Covers all individuals who lodged a return in postcode 3374; postcodes with fewer than 200 lodgments are suppressed by the ATO.

🚌 Transport & Commute

Nearest Train Stations

Ararat
19 km
N/A — drive only

Bus Services

  • V/Line coach — Melbourne (Southern Cross) Approx 2 hr 45 min - 3 hr via Ararat

Commute to Melbourne CBD

Distance
225 km
By Train
V/Line to Ararat (~19 km drive), then train to Melbourne Southern Cross (~2 hr)
By Car (Peak)
2 hr 30 min - 3 hr
By Car (Off-Peak)
2 hr 15 min - 2 hr 30 min

🛣️ Western Highway (A8) provides direct route to Melbourne; Stawell is 16 km north-west for local services

Walkability Car-Dependent

The small village centre has a general store and hotel within walking distance, but most errands require a car to Stawell or Ararat

🛒 Supermarkets Nearby

No major supermarkets listed for this suburb.

🎓 Schools

No schools listed for this postcode.

👥 Demographics

Census 2016
0
Census 2021
425
▲ 0% growth

Population Growth

Gender Distribution (Census 2021)

📊 Population: ABS Census 2021

🚔 Crime Statistics LGA-wide

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

Break & enter (dwelling)
331.8 / 100k
2yr Up 23.2% 10yr Down 26.2%
Motor vehicle theft
212.7 / 100k
2yr Up 215.8% 10yr Up 89.3%
Non-FV assault
570 / 100k
2yr Up 38.2% 10yr Up 22.1%
Robbery (unarmed)
0 / 100k
2yr — 10yr —
Steal from vehicle
263.7 / 100k
2yr Up 141.0% 10yr Down 10.3%
View all offence subgroups for Northern Grampians →

Source: Crime Statistics Agency Victoria

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Nearby Suburbs

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Great Western known for? +

Great Western is famous for its wine heritage, particularly Seppelt Great Western — one of Australia's most iconic wineries, with over three kilometres of underground tunnels carved by gold miners to age sparkling wine. Best's Wines (Concongella vineyard) is another celebrated estate. The town also hosts the annual Great Western Cup horse racing carnival on Australia Day.

How far is Great Western from Melbourne? +

Great Western is approximately 225 kilometres north-west of Melbourne CBD along the Western Highway, a drive of around 2.5 to 3 hours.

Does Great Western have public transport? +

Great Western does not have its own railway station. The nearest V/Line station is Ararat, approximately 19 kilometres south. V/Line coach services also connect the region to Melbourne via the Western Highway corridor.

What is the population of Great Western? +

Great Western had a population of 425 residents at the 2021 Census, making it a small but historically and culturally significant township in Victoria's Northern Grampians Shire.

Is Great Western a good place to live? +

Great Western is well suited to those who love wine country, heritage landscapes, and rural community life within reach of the Grampians National Park. The town's character, wineries, and relaxed pace attract both permanent residents and regular visitors, though self-sufficiency and a car are essential.

What is the postcode for Great Western? +

The postcode for Great Western, Victoria is 3374.

Is Great Western a safe area? +

Crime statistics are recorded at the Local Government Area level. Great Western is part of the Northern Grampians 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.