🔍

McLoughlins Beach

VIC 3874 • Victoria

121
Population (2021)
N/A
Median Personal Income
0.46 km²
Area
N/A
Median Rent
CoastalBeachsideRemoteFishingPeaceful
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About McLoughlins Beach

McLoughlins Beach is a small coastal town in the Shire of Wellington in South Gippsland, Victoria, situated near the western end of the iconic Ninety Mile Beach. With a population of 121 residents in an area of just 0.46 square kilometres, it is one of the smallest coastal localities in Gippsland and sits at a coastal inlet surrounded by the vast Nooramunga Marine and Coastal Park. Originally developed as a fishing village in the early 1920s, McLoughlins Beach retains an authentic, low-key character that sets it apart from more commercialised coastal towns.

The town is renowned for recreational fishing, with estuary, offshore, and surf fishing all accessible via a boat ramp, the jetty rebuilt in 1967, and a footbridge that leads onto Ninety Mile Beach. The surrounding Nooramunga Marine and Coastal Park covers over 29,000 hectares and protects significant wildlife including the little tern, white-bellied sea eagle, and ground parrot. McLoughlins Beach appeals to fishing enthusiasts, birdwatchers, and those seeking a genuine off-the-beaten-track coastal escape in eastern Victoria.

McLoughlins Beach falls under postcode 3874 and is governed by the Wellington Council (Local Government Area). For federal elections, residents vote in the electorate of Gippsland, while state elections fall under the Gippsland South (Eastern Victoria) electorate.

📍 Location

State
Victoria
Postcode
3874
Urban Area
N/A
LGA / Council
Wellington
Federal Electorate
Gippsland
State Electorate
Gippsland South (Eastern Victoria)
Type
Locality
Timezone
Melbourne (UTC+10)
Coordinates
-38.51°, 146.84°
Statistical Area
N/A
Area
0.46 km²
Population Density
265 /km²
Elevation
0m

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💰 Income

ATO taxable income Postcode 3874

Median taxable income for individual taxpayers in postcode 3874 for the 2023–24 financial year (2019–20 data not published for this postcode).

Median 2019–20
N/A
Median 2023–24
$43,697
Average taxable income (2023–24)
$117,218

Source: ATO Taxation Statistics 2023–24, Individuals Table 8 (median & average taxable income by postcode). Covers all individuals who lodged a return in postcode 3874; postcodes with fewer than 200 lodgments are suppressed by the ATO.

🚌 Transport & Commute

Bus Services

  • No regular service — Sale / Melbourne N/A — car required

Commute to Melbourne CBD

Distance
250 km
By Train
No direct service; V/Line from Sale to Melbourne Flinders Street (approx. 2 hr 15 min)
By Car (Peak)
3 hr - 3 hr 30 min
By Car (Off-Peak)
2 hr 30 min - 3 hr

🛣️ Access via South Gippsland Highway and Princes Highway; Sale is the nearest major service town at approx. 50 km

Walkability Almost All Errands Require a Car

Tiny coastal locality with minimal local amenities; car is required for all shopping and services in Sale or nearby towns

🛒 Supermarkets Nearby

No major supermarkets listed for this suburb.

🎓 Schools

👥 Demographics

Census 2016
0
Census 2021
121
▲ 0% growth

Population Growth

Gender Distribution (Census 2021)

📊 Population: ABS Census 2021

🚔 Crime Statistics LGA-wide

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

Break & enter (dwelling)
494.7 / 100k
2yr Up 59.5% 10yr Down 28.0%
Motor vehicle theft
191.9 / 100k
2yr Up 84.4% 10yr Up 57.6%
Non-FV assault
432.8 / 100k
2yr Up 10.3% 10yr Stable
Robbery (unarmed)
0 / 100k
2yr Down 100.0% 10yr —
Steal from vehicle
577.8 / 100k
2yr Up 81.3% 10yr Up 72.3%
View all offence subgroups for Wellington →

Source: Crime Statistics Agency Victoria

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Nearby Suburbs

Frequently Asked Questions

What is McLoughlins Beach known for? +

McLoughlins Beach is known for excellent recreational fishing — including estuary, offshore, and surf fishing for gummy shark, snapper, and flathead — and for its footbridge access to Ninety Mile Beach. The town is also noted for the surrounding Nooramunga Marine and Coastal Park.

How far is McLoughlins Beach from Melbourne? +

McLoughlins Beach is approximately 250 kilometres east of Melbourne in South Gippsland, typically a 2 hour 30 minute to 3 hour 30 minute drive via the South Gippsland Highway and Princes Highway.

Does McLoughlins Beach have public transport? +

McLoughlins Beach has no public transport service. There is no rail or bus connection; a car is essential. The nearest V/Line train station is Sale, approximately 50 kilometres to the west.

What is the population of McLoughlins Beach? +

McLoughlins Beach has a permanent population of 121 residents according to the 2021 Census, although the town sees a significant influx of holiday visitors during summer and fishing season.

Is McLoughlins Beach a good place to live? +

McLoughlins Beach suits fishing enthusiasts, birdwatchers, and those seeking a quiet, remote coastal lifestyle away from major urban centres. It is ideal for those who enjoy a slower pace of life surrounded by natural coastal beauty, though everyday services must be accessed in larger nearby towns.

What is the postcode for McLoughlins Beach? +

The postcode for McLoughlins Beach, Victoria is 3874.

Is McLoughlins Beach a safe area? +

Crime statistics are recorded at the Local Government Area level. McLoughlins Beach is part of the Wellington 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.