🔍

Inverloch

VIC 3996 • Rest of VIC

6,526
Population (2021)
$66,872
Median Household Income
101.92 km²
Area
$346/wk
Median Rent
CoastalFamily-FriendlyBeachHoliday DestinationNature

About Inverloch

Inverloch is a popular coastal town in Victoria's Gippsland region, located 143 kilometres southeast of Melbourne on the Bass Highway. With a population of around 6,500, it sits at the mouth of Anderson Inlet on Bass Strait. Named after Loch Inver (Lake Entrance) in Scotland, the town is known for being the site where Australia's first dinosaur bone was discovered in 1903. The area was originally home to the Bunurong Aboriginal people who were custodians of this stretch of coast for thousands of years.

Inverloch is a favourite destination for families and retirees, offering calm inlet swimming, surfing beaches, and excellent fishing. The town features multiple beaches including the protected Anderson Inlet beaches and surf beaches facing Bass Strait. Popular activities include kitesurfing, windsurfing, and exploring the Bunurong Marine National Park. The town has a Shell Museum with dinosaur exhibits, local shops along A'Beckett Street, and a relaxed beachside village atmosphere. Many Melbourne residents own holiday homes here.

Inverloch falls under postcode 3996 and is governed by Bass Coast Council (LGA). For state elections, residents vote in the Bass (Eastern Victoria) electorate.

📍 Location

State
Victoria
Postcode
3996
Urban Area
Bass Coast
LGA / Council
Bass Coast
Federal Electorate
Monash
State Electorate
Bass (Eastern Victoria)
Type
Urban
Timezone
Melbourne (UTC+10)
Coordinates
-38.62°, 145.73°
Statistical Area
Rest of VIC
Area
101.92 km²
Elevation
12m

🏷️ Property Prices June quarter 2025

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

🏡House
$793K
36 sales · ▲ 1.3% YoY
🏢Unit / Apartment
$728K
6 sales · ▲ 7.5% 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)
$1,700
Avg Household Size
2.2 people
Median Age
54 years
Social Housing (% of dwellings)
2%

37 state housing + 16 community housing dwellings (ABS 2021 Census)

🚌 Transport & Commute

Bus Services

  • V/Line Coach 515 — Melbourne via Dandenong & Koo Wee Rup 3h 45min
  • V/Line Coach 515 — Cowes/Phillip Island 45 mins

Commute to Melbourne CBD

Distance
143 km
By Bus
3h 45min (V/Line Coach)
By Car (Peak)
2h 15min
By Car (Off-Peak)
1h 45min

🛣️ No train service. V/Line coach connects to Dandenong Station for rail to Melbourne

Walkability Somewhat Walkable

Town centre and beaches walkable, car needed for surrounding areas

🛒 Supermarkets Nearby

No major supermarkets listed for this suburb.

🎓 Schools

🚔 Crime Statistics LGA-wide

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

Break & enter (dwelling)
385.8 / 100k
2yr Stable 10yr Down 18.3%
Motor vehicle theft
160.2 / 100k
2yr Up 66.9% 10yr Up 41.1%
Non-FV assault
259.4 / 100k
2yr Stable 10yr Down 10.5%
Robbery (unarmed)
2.3 / 100k
2yr Stable 10yr Down 62.3%
Steal from vehicle
349.7 / 100k
2yr Up 24.5% 10yr Down 13.3%
View all offence subgroups for Bass Coast →

Source: Crime Statistics Agency Victoria

🎓 Educational Institution Attending 2021 Census

School Sector Breakdown

👥 Demographics

Census 2016
5,437
Census 2021
6,526
▲ 20.0% growth

Population Growth

Gender Distribution (Census 2021)

Personal Income 2016
$28,912
Personal Income 2021
$36,556
▲ 26.4% 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
$36,556 / yr
$703/wk
Household
$66,872 / yr
$1286/wk
Family
$90,480 / yr
$1740/wk

Personal Income Comparison (2016 vs 2021)

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

🌍 Country of Birth 2021 Census

Born in Australia 5,315
Born Overseas 869

Top Countries of Birth (excl. Australia)

  • 1. England 309
  • 2. Netherlands 73
  • 3. New Zealand 73
  • 4. Scotland 41
  • 5. Italy 38
  • 6. Germany 37
  • 7. Ireland 25
  • 8. India 19
  • 9. United States 19
  • 10. South Africa 15

🧬 Ancestry 2021 Census

Top ancestries reported (people may report up to two)

English 2,849
Australian 2,565
Irish 959
Scottish 922
German 292
Italian 292
Dutch 281
French 49
New Zealander 48
Chinese 43

👨‍👩‍👧 Parents' Birthplace 2021 Census

4,230
Both parents born in Australia
1,151
Both parents born overseas
797
One parent AU, one overseas

🛐 Religion 2021 Census

No Religion
51.5%
Christianity
41.0%
Buddhism
0.6%
Islam
0.3%
Hinduism
0.2%
Sikhism
0.1%
Judaism
0.1%

📊 Age Distribution 2021 Census

0-4 years
306 (4.7%)
5-14 years
708 (10.8%)
15-19 years
288 (4.4%)
20-24 years
196 (3.0%)
25-34 years
451 (6.9%)
35-44 years
661 (10.1%)
45-54 years
680 (10.4%)
55-64 years
989 (15.2%)
65-74 years
1,279 (19.6%)
75-84 years
733 (11.2%)
85+ years
245 (3.8%)

Nearby Suburbs

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Inverloch known for? +

Inverloch is a popular coastal town in Victoria's Gippsland region, located 143 kilometres southeast of Melbourne on the Bass Highway. Inverloch is a favourite destination for families and retirees, offering calm inlet swimming, surfing beaches, and excellent fishing.

How far is Inverloch from Melbourne CBD? +

Inverloch is approximately 143 kilometres from Melbourne CBD, with a typical drive taking around 172-257 minutes depending on traffic and route taken.

Does Inverloch have public transport? +

Inverloch has limited public transport options. V/Line coach services connect some regional towns, but a car is the most practical way to get around in this area.

What is the population of Inverloch? +

According to the 2021 Census, Inverloch has a population of approximately 6,526 residents, reflecting a well-established community. The suburb falls within the Bass Coast (Shire) local government area.

Is Inverloch a good place to live? +

Inverloch is highly appealing to those seeking a coastal lifestyle, with easy access to beaches, waterways, and outdoor recreation. It suits families, retirees, and sea-changers looking for a relaxed pace of life close to nature.

What is the postcode for Inverloch? +

The postcode for Inverloch, VIC is 3996. This postcode covers Inverloch and may also serve nearby localities within the same postcode zone.

What is the average income in Inverloch? +

Based on the 2021 Census, the median personal income in Inverloch is about $703 per week (around $36,600 per year). The median household income is $1,286 per week and the median family income is $1,740 per week.

What is the median house price in Inverloch? +

As of June quarter 2025, the median house price is $792,500, up 1.3% year-on-year, and the median unit/apartment price is $727,500, up 7.5% year-on-year. Figures are based on Valuer-General Victoria — Victorian Property Sales Report.

What is the age profile of Inverloch? +

The median age in Inverloch is 54. The largest age group is 65–74 (1,279 residents, around 20%). Around 20% of residents are under 20 and about 35% are aged 65 or older. (2021 Census)

Is Inverloch a safe area? +

Crime statistics are recorded at the Local Government Area level. Inverloch is part of the Bass Coast 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 Inverloch? +

In Inverloch, the median weekly rent is $346, and the median monthly mortgage repayment is $1,700 (2021 Census).