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Moonlight Flat (Central Goldfields - Vic.)

VIC 3450 • Victoria

85
Population (2021)
N/A
Median Personal Income
14.09 km²
Area
N/A
Median Rent
HistoricHeritageSemi-RuralPeaceful
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About Moonlight Flat (Central Goldfields - Vic.)

Moonlight Flat is a small rural locality within the Mount Alexander Shire in central Victoria, situated on the eastern fringe of Castlemaine and approximately 120 kilometres north-west of Melbourne. Covering around 14 square kilometres, the locality is steeped in gold rush history as part of the broader Mount Alexander goldfields, one of the world's richest alluvial goldfields of the 1850s. The 2021 Census recorded a population of 85 residents, and the area includes the historically significant Pennyweight Flat Cemetery, a poignant reminder of the hardship endured during the gold rush era. The median household income for the postcode reflects the semi-rural and creative community character typical of the Castlemaine region.

Moonlight Flat adjoins the Castlemaine Diggings National Heritage Park, which preserves authentic traces of 1850s gold mining activity across the landscape in the form of mullock heaps, diggings, and heritage sites. The locality is closely connected to the town of Castlemaine, which offers a vibrant arts and culture scene, independent cafes, boutique shopping, a weekly market, and strong community character that draws tree-changers and creatives from Melbourne. Castlemaine is accessible within minutes by car and is served by V/Line train services to Melbourne. Residents enjoy a semi-rural lifestyle on the doorstep of a culturally active regional town, with the Pyrenees and Macedon Ranges within easy reach.

Moonlight Flat (Central Goldfields - Vic.) falls under postcode 3450 and is governed by the Mount Alexander Council (Local Government Area). For federal elections, residents vote in the electorate of Bendigo, while state elections fall under the Bendigo West (Northern Victoria) electorate.

📍 Location

State
Victoria
Postcode
3450
Urban Area
N/A
LGA / Council
Mount Alexander
Federal Electorate
Bendigo
State Electorate
Bendigo West (Northern Victoria)
Type
Locality
Timezone
Melbourne (UTC+10)
Coordinates
-37.06°, 144.21°
Statistical Area
N/A
Area
14.09 km²
Population Density
6 /km²
Elevation
0m

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💰 Income

ATO taxable income Postcode 3450

Median taxable income for individual taxpayers in postcode 3450, comparing the 2019–20 and 2023–24 financial years.

Median 2019–20
$38,965
Median 2023–24
$48,243
▲ 23.8% increase
Average taxable income (2023–24)
$63,250

Source: ATO Taxation Statistics 2023–24, Individuals Table 8 (median & average taxable income by postcode). Covers all individuals who lodged a return in postcode 3450; postcodes with fewer than 200 lodgments are suppressed by the ATO.

🚌 Transport & Commute

Nearest Train Stations

Castlemaine Station
3 km
N/A — car or bike recommended

Bus Services

  • Mount Alexander Shire local bus/community transport — Castlemaine township Approx. 5–10 min

Commute to Melbourne CBD

Distance
120 km
By Train
Drive to Castlemaine Station (approx. 5 min), then V/Line Bendigo line to Southern Cross Station (approx. 1 hr 30 min)
By Car (Peak)
1 hr 30 min – 2 hr via Calder Freeway (M79)
By Car (Off-Peak)
1 hr 20 min – 1 hr 45 min via Calder Freeway

🛣️ Castlemaine is the nearest town with full services and rail access. The Calder Freeway provides a direct route to Melbourne.

Walkability Almost All Errands Require a Car

Moonlight Flat is a rural fringe locality adjacent to Castlemaine — while Castlemaine's amenities are close by car, the locality itself has no footpaths or local services.

🛒 Supermarkets Nearby

No major supermarkets listed for this suburb.

🎓 Schools

👥 Demographics

Census 2016
0
Census 2021
85
▲ 0% growth

Population Growth

Gender Distribution (Census 2021)

📊 Population: ABS Census 2021

🚔 Crime Statistics LGA-wide

These are the latest rates for the Mount Alexander Local Government Area, which contains Moonlight Flat (Central Goldfields - Vic.). Rates are per 100,000 residents for the year ending September 2025; trends compare 2 and 10 year periods.

Break & enter (dwelling)
304.2 / 100k
2yr Up 56.5% 10yr Down 14.6%
Motor vehicle theft
118.8 / 100k
2yr Up 22.2% 10yr Stable
Non-FV assault
232.9 / 100k
2yr Up 65.2% 10yr Up 20.2%
Robbery (unarmed)
0 / 100k
2yr — 10yr —
Steal from vehicle
313.7 / 100k
2yr Up 43.4% 10yr Stable
View all offence subgroups for Mount Alexander →

Source: Crime Statistics Agency Victoria

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is Moonlight Flat known for? +

Moonlight Flat is known for its rich gold rush heritage as part of the Mount Alexander goldfields. The locality contains the historic Pennyweight Flat Cemetery and adjoins the Castlemaine Diggings National Heritage Park, which preserves traces of 1850s alluvial mining.

How far is Moonlight Flat from Melbourne? +

Moonlight Flat is approximately 120 kilometres north-west of Melbourne, accessible in around 1 hour 20 minutes to 2 hours by car via the Calder Freeway.

Does Moonlight Flat have public transport? +

Moonlight Flat does not have its own public transport stop, but Castlemaine Station is approximately 3 kilometres away and is served by V/Line Bendigo line trains connecting to Melbourne Southern Cross in around 1 hour 30 minutes.

What is the population of Moonlight Flat? +

According to the 2021 Census, Moonlight Flat has a population of 85 residents across approximately 14 square kilometres within the Mount Alexander Shire.

Is Moonlight Flat a good place to live? +

Moonlight Flat offers a peaceful semi-rural lifestyle on the edge of Castlemaine, a vibrant regional town well known for its arts scene, independent cafes, and strong community character. It suits those seeking space and heritage surroundings within commuting distance of Melbourne.

What is the postcode for Moonlight Flat? +

The postcode for Moonlight Flat (Central Goldfields), Victoria is 3450.

Is Moonlight Flat a safe area? +

Crime statistics are recorded at the Local Government Area level. Moonlight Flat is part of the Mount Alexander 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.