🔍

Hawkesdale

VIC 3287 • Victoria

311
Population (2021)
N/A
Median Personal Income
221.50 km²
Area
N/A
Median Rent
RuralAgriculturalQuietCommuter Belt
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About Hawkesdale

Hawkesdale is a small rural town in the Western District of Victoria, situated within the Shire of Moyne approximately 60 kilometres north of Warrnambool and 27 kilometres south of Penshurst along the Penshurst–Warrnambool Road. With a population of around 311, the town has experienced gradual decline from its earlier peak as a service centre for the surrounding agricultural district. The area covers an expansive 221 square kilometres of flat to gently rolling pastoral land, characterised by grazing properties and cropping farms typical of Victoria's south-west.

Community life in Hawkesdale revolves around a handful of local amenities including the Hawkesdale Hotel, a public swimming pool, and the local primary school, which serve as social hubs for residents and neighbouring farming families. The surrounding district is known for sheep and beef cattle grazing, and the town retains the quiet, self-sufficient character common to small Western District agricultural communities. Warrnambool, the nearest major regional centre, provides access to hospitals, shopping, secondary schools, and the Great Ocean Road.

Hawkesdale falls under postcode 3287 and is governed by the Moyne Council (Local Government Area). For federal elections, residents vote in the electorate of Wannon, while state elections fall under the South-West Coast (Western Victoria) electorate.

📍 Location

State
Victoria
Postcode
3287
Urban Area
N/A
LGA / Council
Moyne
Federal Electorate
Wannon
State Electorate
South-West Coast (Western Victoria)
Type
Locality
Timezone
Melbourne (UTC+10)
Coordinates
-38.06°, 142.32°
Statistical Area
N/A
Area
221.50 km²
Population Density
1 /km²
Elevation
0m

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💰 Income

ATO taxable income Postcode 3287

Median taxable income for individual taxpayers in postcode 3287 for the 2023–24 financial year (2019–20 data not published for this postcode).

Median 2019–20
N/A
Median 2023–24
$48,040
Average taxable income (2023–24)
$50,437

Source: ATO Taxation Statistics 2023–24, Individuals Table 8 (median & average taxable income by postcode). Covers all individuals who lodged a return in postcode 3287; postcodes with fewer than 200 lodgments are suppressed by the ATO.

🚌 Transport & Commute

Bus Services

  • Limited regional coach services — Warrnambool / Hamilton Approx. 60–90 min to Warrnambool

Commute to Melbourne CBD

Distance
290 km
By Train
No direct train service; nearest station is Warrnambool (V/Line then drive required)
By Car (Peak)
3 hr – 3 hr 30 min
By Car (Off-Peak)
2 hr 45 min – 3 hr

🛣️ Car is essential; access via Princes Highway or Hamilton–Caramut Road

Walkability Almost All Errands Require a Car

A car is essential for almost all daily needs; limited local amenities require travel to Warrnambool or Hamilton

🛒 Supermarkets Nearby

No major supermarkets listed for this suburb.

🎓 Schools

  • 🏫
    Hawkesdale P12 College
    Cnr Mitchell & Spring Street
    GovernmentPrimary/Secondary CombinedCoedNon-Denominational

👥 Demographics

Census 2016
0
Census 2021
311
▲ 0% growth

Population Growth

Gender Distribution (Census 2021)

📊 Population: ABS Census 2021

🚔 Crime Statistics LGA-wide

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

Break & enter (dwelling)
191.1 / 100k
2yr Up 12.2% 10yr Down 37.3%
Motor vehicle theft
84.3 / 100k
2yr Up 35.0% 10yr Stable
Non-FV assault
118 / 100k
2yr Stable 10yr Down 26.8%
Robbery (unarmed)
0 / 100k
2yr — 10yr —
Steal from vehicle
264.2 / 100k
2yr Up 45.4% 10yr Up 63.8%
View all offence subgroups for Moyne →

Source: Crime Statistics Agency Victoria

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Nearby Suburbs

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Hawkesdale known for? +

Hawkesdale is known as a small service town for the surrounding pastoral district in Victoria's Western District, with a history tied to sheep and beef cattle grazing. It has a community hotel and public pool that serve as social hubs for local farming families.

How far is Hawkesdale from Melbourne? +

Hawkesdale is approximately 290 kilometres south-west of Melbourne CBD, making it a roughly 3-hour drive via the Princes Highway and connecting roads.

Does Hawkesdale have public transport? +

There is no train service to Hawkesdale. Limited regional coach connections are available to Warrnambool, though a private vehicle is the most practical form of transport in this rural area.

What is the population of Hawkesdale? +

According to the 2021 Census, Hawkesdale has a population of approximately 311 residents. The town has experienced gradual population decline from around 432 in 2011, reflecting broader trends in small rural Victorian communities.

Is Hawkesdale a good place to live? +

Hawkesdale suits those who value a quiet rural lifestyle on the fringe of Victoria's pastoral Western District. It offers a tight-knit community feel and affordable land, but residents need a car for most services and rely on Warrnambool (60 km) for major shopping, healthcare, and schooling.

What is the postcode for Hawkesdale? +

The postcode for Hawkesdale is 3287.

Is Hawkesdale a safe area? +

Crime statistics are recorded at the Local Government Area level. Hawkesdale is part of the Moyne 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.