🔍

Penshurst

VIC 3289 • Victoria

677
Population (2021)
N/A
Median Personal Income
329.37 km²
Area
N/A
Median Rent
RuralHistoricAffordableRetirees
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About Penshurst

Penshurst is a small rural town in Victoria's Western District, located approximately 35 kilometres north-west of Hamilton and 280 kilometres west of Melbourne. Nestled near the Grampians foothills and surrounded by rich volcanic plains, the town serves as a service centre for the surrounding agricultural district. With a population of around 677 people, Penshurst offers a quiet country lifestyle amid a landscape shaped by both farming and the nearby dormant volcano Mount Rouse. The region's fertile basalt soils support extensive sheep, beef, and dairy enterprises.

Penshurst has a proud community spirit, with local facilities including a primary school, general store, hotel, and sporting clubs that form the backbone of everyday life. The town is a popular stop on the Volcanic Discovery Trail, with Mount Rouse offering panoramic views across the Western District plains. Nearby Lake Tooliorook provides recreational opportunities for locals. Penshurst suits those seeking an affordable rural lifestyle within reasonable reach of Hamilton's services, appealing particularly to farming families and retirees drawn to the region's natural character.

Penshurst falls under postcode 3289 and is governed by the Southern Grampians Council (Local Government Area). For federal elections, residents vote in the electorate of Wannon, while state elections fall under the South-West Coast (Western Victoria) electorate.

📍 Location

State
Victoria
Postcode
3289
Urban Area
N/A
LGA / Council
Southern Grampians
Federal Electorate
Wannon
State Electorate
South-West Coast (Western Victoria)
Type
Locality
Timezone
Melbourne (UTC+10)
Coordinates
-37.89°, 142.23°
Statistical Area
N/A
Area
329.37 km²
Population Density
2 /km²
Elevation
0m

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💰 Income

ATO taxable income Postcode 3289

Median taxable income for individual taxpayers in postcode 3289 for the 2023–24 financial year (2019–20 data not published for this postcode).

Median 2019–20
N/A
Median 2023–24
$46,617
Average taxable income (2023–24)
$52,334

Source: ATO Taxation Statistics 2023–24, Individuals Table 8 (median & average taxable income by postcode). Covers all individuals who lodged a return in postcode 3289; postcodes with fewer than 200 lodgments are suppressed by the ATO.

🚌 Transport & Commute

Bus Services

  • Regional coach services — Hamilton / Warrnambool 35-50 min

Commute to Melbourne CBD

Distance
280 km
By Train
Drive to Hamilton, then coach to Melbourne (~3.5 hr total)
By Car (Peak)
3 hr
By Car (Off-Peak)
2 hr 45 min

🛣️ No direct rail. Nearest V/Line station at Hamilton (~35 km)

Walkability Somewhat Walkable

Small town centre is walkable; surrounding rural areas require a vehicle

🛒 Supermarkets Nearby

No major supermarkets listed for this suburb.

🎓 Schools

🌳 Parks & Reserves

There are 2 parks and reserves in Penshurst.

👥 Demographics

Census 2016
0
Census 2021
677
▲ 0% growth

Population Growth

Gender Distribution (Census 2021)

📊 Population: ABS Census 2021

🚔 Crime Statistics LGA-wide

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

Break & enter (dwelling)
139.1 / 100k
2yr Up 34.7% 10yr Down 59.2%
Motor vehicle theft
72.6 / 100k
2yr Up 19.5% 10yr Down 26.9%
Non-FV assault
405.2 / 100k
2yr Stable 10yr Up 104.1%
Robbery (unarmed)
0 / 100k
2yr — 10yr —
Steal from vehicle
133 / 100k
2yr Stable 10yr Down 57.9%
View all offence subgroups for Southern Grampians →

Source: Crime Statistics Agency Victoria

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Nearby Suburbs

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is Penshurst VIC? +

Penshurst is located in Victoria's Western District, approximately 35 kilometres north-west of Hamilton and 280 kilometres west of Melbourne.

What is Penshurst VIC known for? +

Penshurst is known for its proximity to Mount Rouse, a dormant volcano that sits on the town's outskirts and forms part of Victoria's Volcanic Plains. It is also a quiet rural service town surrounded by sheep and cattle grazing country.

Are there schools in Penshurst VIC? +

Yes, Penshurst Primary School serves the local community, with secondary students generally travelling to Hamilton for schooling.

How far is Penshurst from Melbourne? +

Penshurst is approximately 280 kilometres west of Melbourne, a drive of around 3 hours via the Hamilton Highway.

Is Penshurst a safe area? +

Crime statistics are recorded at the Local Government Area level. Penshurst is part of the Southern Grampians 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.

What is the population of Penshurst? +

Penshurst had a population of 677 at the 2021 Census.