How far is Indented Head from Melbourne?

Indented Head is approximately 80 kilometres south-west of Melbourne CBD, typically a 1 to 1.5-hour drive via the Princes Freeway and Bellarine Highway. An alternative route via the Searoad Ferries crossing from nearby Queenscliff to Sorrento offers a scenic connection to the Mornington Peninsula.

Does Indented Head have public transport?

Indented Head is served by Bellarine Transit bus routes connecting it to Geelong railway station, from where V/Line trains run to Melbourne's Southern Cross Station. There is no direct rail service to the village; the journey to Melbourne via public transport takes approximately 2 hours or more.

What is the population of Indented Head?

According to the 2021 Census, Indented Head has a population of 1,391 residents. The suburb has a distinctly older profile with a median age of 59, reflecting its established reputation as a retirement and sea-change destination.

Is Indented Head a good place to live?

Indented Head is ideal for those seeking a quiet coastal retirement lifestyle on the Bellarine Peninsula. Its sheltered bay beaches, peaceful atmosphere, and proximity to the Geelong region make it attractive to retirees and weekenders — though the limited local amenities and distance from Melbourne mean a car is essential.

What is the postcode for Indented Head?

The postcode for Indented Head is 3223.

What is the average income in Indented Head?

Based on the 2021 Census, the median personal income in Indented Head is about $616 per week (around $32,000 per year). The median household income is $1,201 per week and the median family income is $1,490 per week.

What is the median house price in Indented Head?

As of June quarter 2025, the median house price is $825,000, down 20.5% year-on-year. Figures are based on Valuer-General Victoria — Victorian Property Sales Report.

What is the age profile of Indented Head?

The median age in Indented Head is 59. The largest age group is 65–74 (359 residents, around 26%). Around 15% of residents are under 20 and about 38% are aged 65 or older. (2021 Census)

Is Indented Head a safe area?

Crime statistics are recorded at the Local Government Area level. Indented Head is part of the Greater Geelong 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 Indented Head?

In Indented Head, the median weekly rent is $346, and the median monthly mortgage repayment is $1,733 (2021 Census).

Indented Head

VIC 3223 • Rest of VIC

1,391

Population (2021)

$62,452

Median Household Income

3.17 km²

Area

$346/wk

Median Rent

CoastalBeachsideRetiree-HavenQuietPeaceful

About Indented Head

Indented Head is a quiet coastal village on the Bellarine Peninsula in Victoria, located approximately 80 kilometres south-west of Melbourne and 30 kilometres from Geelong within the City of Greater Geelong. With a population of 1,391 and a median age of 59, it is firmly established as a retirement and lifestyle destination attracting older residents seeking a relaxed seaside setting. Households tend to be small, and the area has a predominantly Anglo-Celtic heritage, reflecting its character as a long-established coastal community.

The suburb sits on Port Phillip Bay, offering sheltered beaches popular for swimming, fishing, and kayaking, with views across the water to the Mornington Peninsula. Indented Head is within easy reach of St Leonards and Portarlington, where local shops, cafes, and services can be found. Transport to Melbourne is mainly by car, with Bellarine Transit bus services connecting the peninsula to Geelong railway station, from where V/Line trains run to Southern Cross Station. The Searoad Ferries terminal at nearby Queenscliff also provides a scenic connection across the bay to Sorrento.

Indented Head falls under postcode 3223 and is governed by Greater Geelong Council (LGA). For state elections, residents vote in the Bellarine (Western Victoria) electorate.

📍 Location

State

Victoria

Postcode

3223

Urban Area

Geelong - Queenscliff

LGA / Council

Greater Geelong

Federal Electorate

Corangamite

State Electorate

Bellarine (Western Victoria)

Type

Urban

Timezone

Melbourne (UTC+10)

Coordinates

-38.14°, 144.71°

Statistical Area

Rest of VIC

Area

3.17 km²

Elevation

12m

🏷️ Property Prices June quarter 2025

Median sale prices in Indented Head for the June quarter 2025. Median sale prices published by the Valuer-General Victoria.

🏡House

$825K

7 sales · ▼ 20.5% YoY

Source: Valuer-General Victoria — Victorian Property Sales Report. Medians are for the latest quarter; the change shown is the official 12-month movement. Suburbs with very few sales in a quarter can be volatile.

🏠 Housing 2021 Census

Median Rent (weekly)

$346

Median Mortgage (monthly)

$1,733

Avg Household Size

2.1 people

Median Age

59 years

🚌 Transport & Commute

Bus Services

PTV bus services — Geelong CBD 10-30 min

Commute to Geelong CBD

Distance

80 km

By Train

V/Line train service to Melbourne CBD (~60 min from Geelong Station)

By Car (Peak)

1 hr 15 min – 1 hr 45 min

By Car (Off-Peak)

1 hr – 1 hr 20 min

🛣️ Bellarine Highway to Geelong, then Princes Freeway to Melbourne; Searoad Ferry from Queenscliff to Sorrento is a scenic alternative

Walkability Almost All Errands Require a Car

Indented Head has minimal local shops; a car is needed for almost all daily errands, with the nearest services in St Leonards and Portarlington

🛒 Supermarkets Nearby

No major supermarkets listed for this suburb.

🎓 Schools

🏫

Portarlington Primary School

Newcombe Street

GovernmentPrimaryCoedNon-Denominational
⛪

St Leonards Primary School

1341 Murradoc Road

CatholicPrimaryCoed

🚔 Crime Statistics LGA-wide

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

Break & enter (dwelling)

357.1 / 100k

2yr Stable 10yr Down 56.6%

Motor vehicle theft

236.5 / 100k

2yr Up 57.4% 10yr Down 43.2%

Non-FV assault

291.6 / 100k

2yr Up 10.1% 10yr Up 20.2%

Robbery (unarmed)

1.4 / 100k

2yr Down 65.3% 10yr Down 53.8%

Steal from vehicle

772.7 / 100k

2yr Stable 10yr Down 42.4%

View all offence subgroups for Greater Geelong →

Source: Crime Statistics Agency Victoria

🎓 Educational Institution Attending 2021 Census

School Sector Breakdown

👥 Demographics

Census 2016

1,133

Census 2021

1,391

▲ 22.8% growth

Population Growth

Gender Distribution (Census 2021)

Personal Income 2016

$25,428

Personal Income 2021

$32,032

▲ 26.0% 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

$32,032 / yr

$616/wk

Household

$62,452 / yr

$1201/wk

Family

$77,480 / yr

$1490/wk

Personal Income Comparison (2016 vs 2021)

📊 Population: ABS Census 2021

💰 Income: ABS Census 2021

🌍 Country of Birth 2021 Census

Born in Australia 1,098

Born Overseas 191

Top Countries of Birth (excl. Australia)

1. England 55
2. Greece 21
3. New Zealand 18
4. Italy 15
5. Croatia 11
6. Germany 9
7. Canada 6
8. Wales 6
9. Ireland 5
10. Malta 4
11. Netherlands 4
12. Philippines 4
13. Scotland 4
14. Chile 3

🧬 Ancestry 2021 Census

Top ancestries reported (people may report up to two)

English 556

Australian 495

Irish 210

Scottish 167

Italian 83

German 66

Greek 54

Maltese 31

Croatian 20

Welsh 18

👨‍👩‍👧 Parents' Birthplace 2021 Census

845

Both parents born in Australia

311

Both parents born overseas

145

One parent AU, one overseas

🛐 Religion 2021 Census

Christianity

51.9%

No Religion

38.7%

Islam

0.2%

Buddhism

0.2%

📊 Age Distribution 2021 Census

0-4 years

36 (2.6%)

5-14 years

133 (9.6%)

15-19 years

40 (2.9%)

20-24 years

41 (2.9%)

25-34 years

69 (5.0%)

35-44 years

117 (8.4%)

45-54 years

169 (12.1%)

55-64 years

260 (18.7%)

65-74 years

359 (25.8%)

75-84 years

142 (10.2%)

85+ years

28 (2.0%)