🔍

Harkaway

VIC 3806 • Greater Melbourne

1,011
Population (2021)
$145,860
Median Household Income
12.57 km²
Area
$375/wk
Median Rent
Semi-RuralAffluentFamily-FriendlyPeacefulLeafy

About Harkaway

Harkaway is a semi-rural suburb on the outer south-eastern fringe of Melbourne, within the City of Casey, approximately 44 kilometres south-east of Melbourne CBD and neighbouring the established suburb of Berwick. With a population of 1,011 across 12.6 square kilometres, it maintains a distinctly rural character despite its proximity to Melbourne's expanding urban fringe, characterised by generous acreage blocks and hobby farms set among rolling hills at around 202 metres elevation. The notably high median weekly household income of $2,805 and a median age of 40 reflect an affluent, family-oriented community that values space, privacy, and a peaceful environment within reach of the city.

Harkaway's appeal lies in its serene semi-rural atmosphere, with large residential lots and an open, unhurried character that stands in sharp contrast to the denser suburbs of metropolitan Melbourne. The nearby Berwick township — approximately 3 kilometres away — provides a comprehensive range of services including Westfield Fountain Gate shopping centre, hospitals, and well-regarded schools, and Berwick railway station on the Pakenham Line offers direct trains to Melbourne CBD in approximately 55–65 minutes. Well-regarded Catholic and independent schools in the surrounding Casey area are a significant draw for education-conscious families, and the suburb's quiet, elevated position with views across the Cardinia and Western Port Bay corridors makes it one of Melbourne's more sought-after semi-rural addresses.

Harkaway falls under postcode 3806 and is governed by Casey Council (LGA). For state elections, residents vote in the Berwick (South-Eastern Metropolitan) electorate.

📰 Featured In

💰 Top 50 Suburbs in Victoria by Median Household Income

📍 Location

State
Victoria
Postcode
3806
Urban Area
Hallam - Berwick - Pearcedale
LGA / Council
Casey
Federal Electorate
Bruce
State Electorate
Berwick (South-Eastern Metropolitan)
Type
Major Urban
Timezone
Melbourne (UTC+10)
Coordinates
-37.99°, 145.36°
Statistical Area
Greater Melbourne
Area
12.57 km²
Elevation
202m

🏠 Housing 2021 Census

Median Rent (weekly)
$375
Median Mortgage (monthly)
$2,307
Avg Household Size
3.2 people
Median Age
40 years

🚌 Transport & Commute

Nearest Train Stations

Berwick
3.2 km
38 min (car recommended)
Narre Warren
5.5 km
Car recommended

Bus Services

  • Route 852 — Berwick Station and Narre Warren 10–15 min to Berwick

Commute to Melbourne CBD

Distance
44 km
By Train
55–65 min from Berwick Station to Flinders Street via Pakenham Line
By Car (Peak)
60–90 min via Princes Freeway (M1)
By Car (Off-Peak)
40–55 min

🛣️ A car is required to reach Berwick Station; Princes Freeway is the main arterial route to Melbourne

Walkability Almost All Errands Require a Car

A car is required for virtually all errands; the semi-rural character means no walkable amenities within the suburb itself

🛒 Supermarkets Nearby

No major supermarkets listed for this suburb.

🎓 Schools

🚔 Crime Statistics LGA-wide

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

Break & enter (dwelling)
331.9 / 100k
2yr Up 19.2% 10yr Down 41.1%
Motor vehicle theft
351 / 100k
2yr Up 108.5% 10yr Up 19.7%
Non-FV assault
237.1 / 100k
2yr Stable 10yr Up 33.4%
Robbery (unarmed)
4.5 / 100k
2yr Down 28.7% 10yr Up 184.6%
Steal from vehicle
965.2 / 100k
2yr Up 66.2% 10yr Up 15.9%
View all offence subgroups for Casey →

Source: Crime Statistics Agency Victoria

🎓 Educational Institution Attending 2021 Census

School Sector Breakdown

👥 Demographics

Census 2016
849
Census 2021
1,011
▲ 19.1% growth

Population Growth

Gender Distribution (Census 2021)

Personal Income 2016
$39,416
Personal Income 2021
$53,352
▲ 35.4% increase

2021 Census income breakdown

Personal = median for one earner. Household = all members of a dwelling pooled. Family = related members only. Annual = weekly × 52.

Personal
$53,352 / yr
$1026/wk
Household
$145,860 / yr
$2805/wk
Family
$151,476 / yr
$2913/wk

Personal Income Comparison (2016 vs 2021)

📊 Population: ABS Census 2021
💰 Income: ABS Census 2021

🌍 Country of Birth 2021 Census

Born in Australia 804
Born Overseas 148

Top Countries of Birth (excl. Australia)

  • 1. England 36
  • 2. Afghanistan 9
  • 3. South Africa 9
  • 4. Singapore 8
  • 5. China 7
  • 6. India 7
  • 7. Chile 5
  • 8. Ireland 5
  • 9. Scotland 5
  • 10. Germany 4

🧬 Ancestry 2021 Census

Top ancestries reported (people may report up to two)

Australian 422
English 381
Irish 83
Italian 62
Scottish 62
Dutch 46
German 38
Russian 16
Indian 14
Sri Lankan 12

👨‍👩‍👧 Parents' Birthplace 2021 Census

570
Both parents born in Australia
224
Both parents born overseas
170
One parent AU, one overseas

🛐 Religion 2021 Census

Christianity
48.1%
No Religion
41.2%
Islam
2.5%
Hinduism
1.2%
Buddhism
0.8%
Sikhism
0.4%

📊 Age Distribution 2021 Census

0-4 years
47 (4.6%)
5-14 years
169 (16.7%)
15-19 years
80 (7.9%)
20-24 years
75 (7.4%)
25-34 years
74 (7.3%)
35-44 years
120 (11.9%)
45-54 years
162 (16.0%)
55-64 years
139 (13.7%)
65-74 years
93 (9.2%)
75-84 years
48 (4.7%)
85+ years
10 (1.0%)

Nearby Suburbs

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Harkaway known for? +

Harkaway is known for its semi-rural lifestyle, large acreage properties, and peaceful character on Melbourne's outer south-eastern fringe. Despite being within 45 kilometres of Melbourne CBD, it retains a genuine country feel with rolling hills, hobby farms, and a close-knit community atmosphere.

How far is Harkaway from Melbourne CBD? +

Harkaway is approximately 44 kilometres south-east of Melbourne CBD. By car it takes around 40–55 minutes off-peak or 60–90 minutes during peak hours via the Princes Freeway; by train from nearby Berwick station the journey to Flinders Street takes approximately 55–65 minutes.

Does Harkaway have public transport? +

Harkaway itself has limited bus services, with routes connecting to Berwick Station approximately 3 kilometres away. Berwick Station is on the Pakenham Line (Metro Trains), offering regular services to Melbourne CBD. A car is strongly recommended for most trips.

What is the population of Harkaway? +

According to the 2021 Census, Harkaway has a population of 1,011 residents. The median age of 40 and high average household size of 3.2 reflect its strong appeal to established families on larger residential lots.

Is Harkaway a good place to live? +

Harkaway is an excellent choice for families and professionals seeking space, privacy, and a semi-rural lifestyle within commuting range of Melbourne. The combination of acreage properties, nearby quality schools, and access to Berwick's comprehensive services makes it one of the Casey area's most desirable semi-rural addresses.

What is the postcode for Harkaway? +

The postcode for Harkaway, Victoria is 3806.

What is the average income in Harkaway? +

Based on the 2021 Census, the median personal income in Harkaway is about $1,026 per week (around $53,400 per year). The median household income is $2,805 per week and the median family income is $2,913 per week.

What is the age profile of Harkaway? +

The median age in Harkaway is 40. The largest age group is 5–14 (169 residents, around 17%). Around 29% of residents are under 20 and about 15% are aged 65 or older. (2021 Census)

Is Harkaway a safe area? +

Crime statistics are recorded at the Local Government Area level. Harkaway is part of the Casey 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.

How much is rent in Harkaway? +

In Harkaway, the median weekly rent is $375, and the median monthly mortgage repayment is $2,307 (2021 Census).