🔍

Moliagul

VIC 3472 • Victoria

80
Population (2021)
N/A
Median Personal Income
54.76 km²
Area
N/A
Median Rent
RuralHistoricGold RushQuiet
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About Moliagul

Moliagul is a small historic locality in central Victoria's goldfields region, situated approximately 20 kilometres north of Dunolly and around 202 kilometres north-west of Melbourne. It falls within the Central Goldfields Shire area and covers just under 55 square kilometres of bushland and cleared farmland. The 2021 Census recorded a population of 80 residents, continuing a long pattern of sparse settlement that followed the decline of gold mining in the late 19th century.

Moliagul is internationally renowned as the site where the Welcome Stranger, the world's largest alluvial gold nugget, was unearthed in 1869 by miners John Deason and Richard Oates. The 69-kilogram nugget was found just 3 centimetres below the surface and is commemorated by a monument and a short discovery walk through the surrounding bushland. Today the locality attracts gold prospectors, history enthusiasts, and visitors exploring Victoria's Goldfields region, while the nearby Mount Moliagul Hotel provides a focal point for the small local community.

Moliagul falls under postcode 3472 and is governed by the Central Goldfields Council (Local Government Area). For federal elections, residents vote in the electorate of Mallee, while state elections fall under the Ripon (Western Victoria) electorate.

📍 Location

State
Victoria
Postcode
3472
Urban Area
N/A
LGA / Council
Central Goldfields
Federal Electorate
Mallee
State Electorate
Ripon (Western Victoria)
Type
Locality
Timezone
Melbourne (UTC+10)
Coordinates
-36.86°, 143.66°
Statistical Area
N/A
Area
54.76 km²
Population Density
1 /km²
Elevation
0m

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💰 Income

ATO taxable income Postcode 3472

Median taxable income for individual taxpayers in postcode 3472 for the 2023–24 financial year (2019–20 data not published for this postcode).

Median 2019–20
N/A
Median 2023–24
$43,622
Average taxable income (2023–24)
$50,014

Source: ATO Taxation Statistics 2023–24, Individuals Table 8 (median & average taxable income by postcode). Covers all individuals who lodged a return in postcode 3472; postcodes with fewer than 200 lodgments are suppressed by the ATO.

🚌 Transport & Commute

Bus Services

  • No scheduled local bus — Dunolly / Bendigo Dunolly approx. 20 min by car

Commute to Melbourne CBD

Distance
202 km
By Train
No local service; drive to Bendigo (approx. 60 km) for V/Line trains to Melbourne (approx. 1 hr 45 min)
By Car (Peak)
2 hr 15 min - 2 hr 45 min
By Car (Off-Peak)
2 hr - 2 hr 30 min

🛣️ Dunolly and Bendigo are the practical service hubs; Calder Highway provides main road access to Melbourne

Walkability Almost All Errands Require a Car

A car is essential for all daily needs; the locality has no shops or services beyond the local hotel

🛒 Supermarkets Nearby

No major supermarkets listed for this suburb.

🎓 Schools

👥 Demographics

Census 2016
0
Census 2021
80
▲ 0% growth

Population Growth

Gender Distribution (Census 2021)

📊 Population: ABS Census 2021

🚔 Crime Statistics LGA-wide

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

Break & enter (dwelling)
290.1 / 100k
2yr Up 45.8% 10yr Down 28.4%
Motor vehicle theft
152.3 / 100k
2yr Stable 10yr Down 26.2%
Non-FV assault
500.4 / 100k
2yr Up 74.2% 10yr Up 63.7%
Robbery (unarmed)
0 / 100k
2yr — 10yr —
Steal from vehicle
304.6 / 100k
2yr Stable 10yr Down 13.3%
View all offence subgroups for Central Goldfields →

Source: Crime Statistics Agency Victoria

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Nearby Suburbs

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Moliagul known for? +

Moliagul is internationally famous as the site where the Welcome Stranger, the world's largest alluvial gold nugget, was discovered in 1869. The 69-kilogram nugget was found just 3 centimetres below the surface by miners John Deason and Richard Oates, and the discovery is commemorated by a monument and walking trail through the surrounding bushland.

How far is Moliagul from Melbourne CBD? +

Moliagul is approximately 202 kilometres north-west of Melbourne, a drive of around 2 to 2.5 hours via the Calder Highway through Bendigo.

Does Moliagul have public transport? +

There is no public transport service in Moliagul. The nearest access point for V/Line train services is Bendigo, approximately 60 kilometres away. A car is essential for getting around the area.

What is the population of Moliagul? +

According to the 2021 Census, Moliagul has a population of 80 residents across its 55 square kilometres, with around 38 dwellings. The locality's population has been small since the end of the gold rush era in the late 19th century.

Is Moliagul a good place to live? +

Moliagul suits those seeking a quiet rural lifestyle in the Victorian goldfields, particularly those interested in gold prospecting, bush living, or the area's rich history. The nearby towns of Dunolly and Bendigo provide services, but day-to-day life requires a car.

What is the postcode for Moliagul? +

The postcode for Moliagul, Victoria is 3472, which it shares with Dunolly and surrounding goldfields localities in central Victoria.

Is Moliagul a safe area? +

Crime statistics are recorded at the Local Government Area level. Moliagul is part of the Central Goldfields 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.