🔍

Paynesville

VIC 3880 • Rest of VIC

3,636
Population (2021)
$51,324
Median Household Income
5.72 km²
Area
$310/wk
Median Rent
CoastalRetirement-FriendlyBoatingHoliday TownScenic Views

About Paynesville

Paynesville is a picturesque waterside town in the Shire of East Gippsland, Victoria, situated 293 kilometres east of Melbourne on the Gippsland Lakes between Lake King and Lake Victoria. With a population of around 3,636, it is known as Victoria's Boating Capital. The town has a higher proportion of retirees and a lower median income typical of regional holiday towns, reflecting its appeal as a sea-change destination.

The town offers a relaxed lakeside lifestyle centred around boating, fishing, and water sports on the Gippsland Lakes. A short ferry ride connects Paynesville to Raymond Island, famous for its wild koala colony. Local amenities include cafés, restaurants, a yacht club, and a vibrant arts community. It's popular with retirees, holidaymakers, and anyone seeking a quiet coastal lifestyle away from the city.

Paynesville falls under postcode 3880 and is governed by East Gippsland Council (LGA). For state elections, residents vote in the Gippsland East (Eastern Victoria) electorate.

📍 Location

State
Victoria
Postcode
3880
Urban Area
East Gippsland
LGA / Council
East Gippsland
Federal Electorate
Gippsland
State Electorate
Gippsland East (Eastern Victoria)
Type
Urban
Timezone
Melbourne (UTC+10)
Coordinates
-37.91°, 147.71°
Statistical Area
Rest of VIC
Area
5.72 km²
Elevation
17m

🏷️ Property Prices June quarter 2025

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

🏡House
$522K
30 sales · ▼ 4.3% 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)
$310
Median Mortgage (monthly)
$1,225
Avg Household Size
2 people
Median Age
62 years

🚌 Transport & Commute

Bus Services

  • V/Line Coach — Bairnsdale to Paynesville 25 min from Bairnsdale

Commute to Bairnsdale

Distance
17 km
By Bus
25 min
By Car (Peak)
20 min
By Car (Off-Peak)
15 min

🛣️ Regional town; nearest train station is Bairnsdale (V/Line to Melbourne, ~3.5 hours). Most residents rely on private vehicles.

Walkability Car-Dependent

Town centre is walkable with shops and waterfront, but a car is needed for most errands and travel to Bairnsdale.

🛒 Supermarkets Nearby

No major supermarkets listed for this suburb.

🎓 Schools

🚔 Crime Statistics LGA-wide

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

Break & enter (dwelling)
295.4 / 100k
2yr Up 17.1% 10yr Down 31.6%
Motor vehicle theft
146.7 / 100k
2yr Stable 10yr Up 147.7%
Non-FV assault
462.2 / 100k
2yr Up 10.3% 10yr Up 26.2%
Robbery (unarmed)
0 / 100k
2yr Down 100.0% 10yr —
Steal from vehicle
379.8 / 100k
2yr Stable 10yr Down 37.0%
View all offence subgroups for East Gippsland →

Source: Crime Statistics Agency Victoria

🎓 Educational Institution Attending 2021 Census

School Sector Breakdown

👥 Demographics

Census 2016
3,480
Census 2021
3,636
▲ 4.5% growth

Population Growth

Gender Distribution (Census 2021)

Personal Income 2016
$24,856
Personal Income 2021
$29,172
▲ 17.4% 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
$29,172 / yr
$561/wk
Household
$51,324 / yr
$987/wk
Family
$66,768 / yr
$1284/wk

Personal Income Comparison (2016 vs 2021)

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

🌍 Country of Birth 2021 Census

Born in Australia 2,858
Born Overseas 601

Top Countries of Birth (excl. Australia)

  • 1. England 255
  • 2. New Zealand 58
  • 3. Netherlands 41
  • 4. Scotland 38
  • 5. Germany 29
  • 6. India 19
  • 7. Philippines 19
  • 8. United States 13
  • 9. South Africa 10
  • 10. Wales 9

🧬 Ancestry 2021 Census

Top ancestries reported (people may report up to two)

English 1,835
Australian 1,344
Scottish 533
Irish 455
German 179
Dutch 88
Italian 59
Australian Aboriginal 53
French 31
Filipino 28

👨‍👩‍👧 Parents' Birthplace 2021 Census

2,421
Both parents born in Australia
735
Both parents born overseas
338
One parent AU, one overseas

🛐 Religion 2021 Census

No Religion
47.1%
Christianity
46.2%
Buddhism
0.4%
Hinduism
0.4%
Sikhism
0.1%

📊 Age Distribution 2021 Census

0-4 years
96 (2.6%)
5-14 years
266 (7.3%)
15-19 years
111 (3.1%)
20-24 years
95 (2.6%)
25-34 years
219 (6.0%)
35-44 years
218 (6.0%)
45-54 years
352 (9.7%)
55-64 years
609 (16.7%)
65-74 years
892 (24.5%)
75-84 years
578 (15.9%)
85+ years
192 (5.3%)

Nearby Suburbs

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Paynesville known for? +

Paynesville is known as the boating capital of Victoria, with an extensive marina, boat repair facilities, and direct access to the Gippsland Lakes system. The town has a vibrant waterfront dining and café scene and hosts major boating events.

How far is Paynesville from Melbourne? +

Paynesville is approximately 293 kilometres east of Melbourne CBD, around a 3 hour 15-30 minute drive via the Princes Highway through Gippsland.

Does Paynesville have public transport? +

Paynesville has limited public transport. V/Line coach services connect to Bairnsdale station (approximately 20 km west) for train services to Melbourne. A car is the most practical option.

What is the population of Paynesville? +

According to the 2021 Census, Paynesville has a population of approximately 3,636 residents, with the population swelling significantly during summer and boating seasons.

Is Paynesville a good place to live? +

Paynesville offers an exceptional lifestyle for boating enthusiasts, with the Gippsland Lakes on the doorstep, a vibrant waterfront, and strong community spirit. It suits retirees and families who value water-based recreation and a relaxed East Gippsland lifestyle.

What is the postcode for Paynesville? +

The postcode for Paynesville is 3880.

What is the average income in Paynesville? +

Based on the 2021 Census, the median personal income in Paynesville is about $561 per week (around $29,200 per year). The median household income is $987 per week and the median family income is $1,284 per week.

What is the median house price in Paynesville? +

As of June quarter 2025, the median house price is $521,500, down 4.3% year-on-year. Figures are based on Valuer-General Victoria — Victorian Property Sales Report.

What is the age profile of Paynesville? +

The median age in Paynesville is 62. The largest age group is 65–74 (892 residents, around 25%). Around 13% of residents are under 20 and about 46% are aged 65 or older. (2021 Census)

Is Paynesville a safe area? +

Crime statistics are recorded at the Local Government Area level. Paynesville is part of the East Gippsland 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 Paynesville? +

In Paynesville, the median weekly rent is $310, and the median monthly mortgage repayment is $1,225 (2021 Census).