🔍

Port Albert

VIC 3971 • Victoria

403
Population (2021)
N/A
Median Personal Income
31.23 km²
Area
N/A
Median Rent
CoastalHistoricFishing VillageQuiet
Advertisement

About Port Albert

Port Albert is a historic coastal town in the Shire of Wellington in Victoria's Gippsland region, situated on the shores of Corner Inlet approximately 236 kilometres south-east of Melbourne and 13 kilometres south of Yarram. As one of the earliest European ports established in Victoria — with activity dating back to the early 1840s — Port Albert carries significant colonial heritage, including preserved 19th-century buildings that reflect its former importance as a gateway to Gippsland. The township had a population of 403 at the 2021 Census and covers just over 31 square kilometres.

Today Port Albert is a peaceful fishing and holiday town popular with recreational anglers, boaters, and visitors drawn to Corner Inlet's calm waters and the surrounding Gippsland coast. The town's maritime heritage is commemorated in local historic buildings, and the area offers excellent fishing, birdwatching along the inlet, and access to the broader Gippsland Lakes and coast. Yarram, 13 kilometres to the north, provides the main shopping, schools, and services for local residents, while Port Albert itself attracts visitors seeking a quiet coastal escape with genuine historical character.

Port Albert falls under postcode 3971 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
3971
Urban Area
N/A
LGA / Council
Wellington
Federal Electorate
Gippsland
State Electorate
Gippsland South (Eastern Victoria)
Type
Locality
Timezone
Melbourne (UTC+10)
Coordinates
-38.63°, 146.82°
Statistical Area
N/A
Area
31.23 km²
Population Density
13 /km²
Elevation
0m

📣 Ad

💰 Income

ATO taxable income Postcode 3971

Median taxable income for individual taxpayers in postcode 3971, comparing the 2019–20 and 2023–24 financial years.

Median 2019–20
$36,019
Median 2023–24
$44,136
▲ 22.5% increase
Average taxable income (2023–24)
$53,556

Source: ATO Taxation Statistics 2023–24, Individuals Table 8 (median & average taxable income by postcode). Covers all individuals who lodged a return in postcode 3971; postcodes with fewer than 200 lodgments are suppressed by the ATO.

🚌 Transport & Commute

Bus Services

  • Limited regional bus services via Yarram — Yarram / Sale Varies

Commute to Melbourne CBD

Distance
236 km
By Train
No direct train service; drive to Sale (~80 km) for V/Line Bairnsdale Line to Southern Cross (~2 hrs 30 min)
By Car (Peak)
2 hrs 45 min – 3 hrs 30 min
By Car (Off-Peak)
2 hrs 30 min – 3 hrs

🛣️ South Gippsland Highway and Princes Highway provide road access; a car is essential

Walkability Almost All Errands Require a Car

A car is essential; while the small township is walkable locally, all shopping and services require driving to Yarram or beyond

🛒 Supermarkets Nearby

No major supermarkets listed for this suburb.

🎓 Schools

👥 Demographics

Census 2016
0
Census 2021
403
▲ 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 Port Albert. 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

📣 Ad

Nearby Suburbs

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Port Albert known for? +

Port Albert is known as one of Victoria's earliest European ports, with a rich colonial history dating to the 1840s and a cluster of preserved 19th-century heritage buildings. Today it is also popular with recreational anglers and boaters who come for the excellent fishing in Corner Inlet and the peaceful coastal atmosphere.

How far is Port Albert from Melbourne CBD? +

Port Albert is approximately 236 kilometres south-east of Melbourne CBD, typically a 2.5 to 3.5 hour drive via the South Gippsland Highway or Princes Highway.

Does Port Albert have public transport? +

Port Albert has no rail service and very limited public transport. Residents rely on private vehicles, with the nearest significant rail connection at Sale (approximately 80 km away) for V/Line trains to Melbourne.

What is the population of Port Albert? +

Port Albert had a population of 403 residents at the 2021 Census, spread across an area of just over 31 square kilometres. Its population swells seasonally with holiday visitors and recreational fishers.

Is Port Albert a good place to live? +

Port Albert suits those seeking a quiet coastal lifestyle with genuine historical character, particularly fishing enthusiasts and those drawn to Gippsland's natural coastline. Its remoteness from Melbourne and limited local services mean it is best suited to retirees, holiday home owners, or those who work locally.

What is the postcode for Port Albert? +

The postcode for Port Albert is 3971, in the Shire of Wellington, Gippsland, Victoria.

Is Port Albert a safe area? +

Crime statistics are recorded at the Local Government Area level. Port Albert 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.