🔍

Kennett River

VIC 3221 • Victoria

74
Population (2021)
N/A
Median Personal Income
31.47 km²
Area
N/A
Median Rent
CoastalBeachsideBushlandTourist HubQuiet
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About Kennett River

Kennett River is a small coastal hamlet on Victoria's iconic Great Ocean Road, situated within the Colac Otway Shire approximately 174 kilometres south-west of Melbourne. Nestled between the resort town of Lorne (27 kilometres to the east) and Apollo Bay (around 23 kilometres to the west), the locality covers just over 31 square kilometres of coastal and hinterland terrain adjoining the Great Otway National Park. With a 2021 Census population of around 74 permanent residents, Kennett River is one of the quieter settlements along the Great Ocean Road, though it draws significant visitor numbers throughout the year.

Kennett River is widely regarded as one of the best places in Australia to see wild koalas, with Grey River Road — branching off the Great Ocean Road through the settlement — offering reliable koala sightings in the gum trees, as well as king parrots, kookaburras, and wallabies. The hamlet has a small general store and café, a family caravan park, and a patrolled beach popular with swimmers and local surfers. Its position on the Great Ocean Road and within the Great Otway National Park corridor makes it a genuine natural escape, ideally suited to those seeking a coastal and bushland lifestyle well away from the city.

Kennett River falls under postcode 3221 and is governed by the Colac Otway Council (Local Government Area). For federal elections, residents vote in the electorate of Corangamite, while state elections fall under the South Barwon (Western Victoria) electorate.

📍 Location

State
Victoria
Postcode
3221
Urban Area
N/A
LGA / Council
Colac Otway
Federal Electorate
Corangamite
State Electorate
South Barwon (Western Victoria)
Type
Locality
Timezone
Melbourne (UTC+10)
Coordinates
-38.18°, 144.43°
Statistical Area
N/A
Area
31.47 km²
Population Density
2 /km²
Elevation
0m

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💰 Income

ATO taxable income Postcode 3221

Median taxable income for individual taxpayers in postcode 3221 for the 2023–24 financial year (2019–20 data not published for this postcode).

Median 2019–20
N/A
Median 2023–24
$58,927
Average taxable income (2023–24)
$92,552

Source: ATO Taxation Statistics 2023–24, Individuals Table 8 (median & average taxable income by postcode). Covers all individuals who lodged a return in postcode 3221; postcodes with fewer than 200 lodgments are suppressed by the ATO.

🚌 Transport & Commute

Bus Services

  • V/Line coach (Apollo Bay – Geelong route) — Geelong / Melbourne Approx. 2 hrs to Geelong, 3 hrs+ to Melbourne

Commute to Melbourne CBD

Distance
174 km
By Train
No direct train; V/Line coach to Geelong then train to Melbourne Southern Cross (~3 hrs total)
By Car (Peak)
2 hrs 15 min – 2 hrs 45 min
By Car (Off-Peak)
2 hrs – 2 hrs 15 min

🛣️ Via Great Ocean Road and Princes Freeway; Geelong is the nearest major service hub at about 95 km

Walkability Almost All Errands Require a Car

Kennett River has only a general store; residents must drive to Lorne or Apollo Bay for most shopping and services

🛒 Supermarkets Nearby

No major supermarkets listed for this suburb.

🎓 Schools

👥 Demographics

Census 2016
0
Census 2021
74
▲ 0% growth

Population Growth

Gender Distribution (Census 2021)

📊 Population: ABS Census 2021

🚔 Crime Statistics LGA-wide

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

Break & enter (dwelling)
250.7 / 100k
2yr Up 11.7% 10yr Down 43.6%
Motor vehicle theft
89.5 / 100k
2yr Up 81.3% 10yr Down 23.5%
Non-FV assault
259.6 / 100k
2yr Down 18.6% 10yr Stable
Robbery (unarmed)
0 / 100k
2yr — 10yr Down 100.0%
Steal from vehicle
308.9 / 100k
2yr Up 67.8% 10yr Up 11.8%
View all offence subgroups for Colac Otway →

Source: Crime Statistics Agency Victoria

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Nearby Suburbs

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Kennett River known for? +

Kennett River is best known for the Kennett River Koala Walk along Grey River Road, which is widely regarded as one of the best places in Australia to spot wild koalas in their natural habitat. The hamlet also features a patrolled beach, a popular surf break, and access to the Great Otway National Park.

How far is Kennett River from Melbourne? +

Kennett River is approximately 174 kilometres south-west of Melbourne CBD, a scenic drive of around 2 to 2.5 hours via the Great Ocean Road.

Does Kennett River have public transport? +

There is no rail service on the Great Ocean Road. V/Line coach services run between Apollo Bay and Geelong, passing through the area, but a car is the most practical way to get around Kennett River and the surrounding Great Ocean Road region.

What is the population of Kennett River? +

According to the 2021 Census, Kennett River has a permanent population of approximately 74 residents, though the hamlet receives many more visitors as a popular tourist stop on the Great Ocean Road.

Is Kennett River a good place to live? +

Kennett River suits those who value a quiet coastal and bushland lifestyle with abundant wildlife on their doorstep. With only a general store locally, residents rely on Lorne or Apollo Bay for shopping and services, making it best suited to self-sufficient households who love the Great Ocean Road environment.

What is the postcode for Kennett River? +

The postcode for Kennett River, Victoria is 3221, which is shared with Geelong and surrounding localities.

Is Kennett River a safe area? +

Crime statistics are recorded at the Local Government Area level. Kennett River is part of the Colac Otway 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.