🔍

Queenscliff

VIC 3225 • Rest of VIC

1,516
Population (2021)
$76,596
Median Household Income
3.35 km²
Area
$369/wk
Median Rent
CoastalHistoricTourismSeasideHeritage

About Queenscliff

Queenscliff is a historic seaside town at the south-eastern tip of the Bellarine Peninsula in Victoria, approximately 104 km south of Melbourne and 30 km from Geelong. With a population of around 1,516 (2021 census), it is a compact and characterful coastal settlement perched at the narrow entrance to Port Phillip Bay. Queenscliff is the administrative centre for the Borough of Queenscliffe, one of Victoria's smallest local government areas. The town is renowned for its Victorian-era architecture, including heritage hotels, a historic fort, and a lighthouse that reflect its 19th-century prominence as a pilot station and fashionable resort.

Queenscliff is a beloved weekend and holiday destination for Melburnians, offering boutique accommodation, excellent seafood restaurants, and a relaxed coastal ambience. The car and passenger ferry to Sorrento on the Mornington Peninsula is a popular way to explore the bay, while the Bellarine Railway steam train connects to Drysdale for a nostalgic countryside experience. Water activities including diving, fishing, and kayaking in Swan Bay and the bay entrance are popular pastimes, and the town's galleries and artisan shops attract a creative and well-heeled visitor demographic. Permanent residents enjoy a quiet, community-focused lifestyle in one of Victoria's most picturesque coastal towns.

Queenscliff falls under postcode 3225 and is governed by Queenscliffe Council (LGA). For state elections, residents vote in the Bellarine (Western Victoria) electorate.

📍 Location

State
Victoria
Postcode
3225
Urban Area
Geelong - Queenscliff
LGA / Council
Queenscliffe
Federal Electorate
Corangamite
State Electorate
Bellarine (Western Victoria)
Type
Urban
Timezone
Melbourne (UTC+10)
Coordinates
-38.27°, 144.65°
Statistical Area
Rest of VIC
Area
3.35 km²
Elevation
4m

🏷️ Property Prices June quarter 2025

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

🏡House
$1.45M
5 sales · ▲ 16% 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)
$369
Median Mortgage (monthly)
$2,232
Avg Household Size
2.1 people
Median Age
62 years

🚌 Transport & Commute

Nearest Train Stations

Drysdale Station (Bellarine Railway – heritage)
18 km
N/A – drive

Bus Services

  • 75 — Geelong via Ocean Grove & Barwon Heads ~1 hr 15 min to Geelong
  • Seasonal ferry — Sorrento (Mornington Peninsula) ~40 min crossing

Commute to Melbourne CBD

Distance
104 km
By Train
No direct train; bus to Geelong then V/Line train (~2 hr 30 min total)
By Bus
~2 hr 30 min via Geelong
By Car (Peak)
~1 hr 45 min–2 hr via Princes Freeway
By Car (Off-Peak)
~1 hr 30 min

🛣️ Car is the preferred option. Ferry to Sorrento provides scenic alternative access to the Mornington Peninsula. Limited direct public transport to Melbourne.

Walkability Somewhat Walkable

Compact town centre is very walkable for local shops, cafes, and waterfront. Surrounding areas and beaches accessible on foot. Car needed for trips beyond the town.

🛒 Supermarkets Nearby

No major supermarkets listed for this suburb.

🎓 Schools

🚔 Crime Statistics LGA-wide

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

Break & enter (dwelling)
140.9 / 100k
2yr Up 128.2% 10yr Down 84.7%
Motor vehicle theft
84.6 / 100k
2yr Up 36.9% 10yr Down 75.2%
Non-FV assault
28.2 / 100k
2yr — 10yr Down 83.5%
Robbery (unarmed)
0 / 100k
2yr — 10yr —
Steal from vehicle
366.5 / 100k
2yr Up 97.8% 10yr Down 68.4%
View all offence subgroups for Queenscliffe →

Source: Crime Statistics Agency Victoria

🎓 Educational Institution Attending 2021 Census

School Sector Breakdown

👥 Demographics

Census 2016
1,315
Census 2021
1,516
▲ 15.3% growth

Population Growth

Gender Distribution (Census 2021)

Personal Income 2016
$33,332
Personal Income 2021
$41,236
▲ 23.7% 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
$41,236 / yr
$793/wk
Household
$76,596 / yr
$1473/wk
Family
$97,864 / yr
$1882/wk

Personal Income Comparison (2016 vs 2021)

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

🌍 Country of Birth 2021 Census

Born in Australia 1,227
Born Overseas 187

Top Countries of Birth (excl. Australia)

  • 1. England 64
  • 2. New Zealand 21
  • 3. India 9
  • 4. Italy 8
  • 5. Scotland 7
  • 6. Singapore 6
  • 7. United States 6
  • 8. Greece 5
  • 9. Sri Lanka 5
  • 10. Germany 4

🧬 Ancestry 2021 Census

Top ancestries reported (people may report up to two)

English 737
Australian 557
Irish 277
Scottish 260
German 62
Italian 47
Dutch 21
Greek 16
French 15
Polish 12

👨‍👩‍👧 Parents' Birthplace 2021 Census

1,029
Both parents born in Australia
236
Both parents born overseas
166
One parent AU, one overseas

🛐 Religion 2021 Census

Christianity
49.6%
No Religion
42.6%
Hinduism
0.9%
Buddhism
0.7%
Judaism
0.2%

📊 Age Distribution 2021 Census

0-4 years
30 (2.0%)
5-14 years
110 (7.3%)
15-19 years
55 (3.6%)
20-24 years
42 (2.8%)
25-34 years
75 (4.9%)
35-44 years
103 (6.8%)
45-54 years
149 (9.8%)
55-64 years
293 (19.3%)
65-74 years
390 (25.7%)
75-84 years
201 (13.3%)
85+ years
64 (4.2%)

Nearby Suburbs

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Queenscliff known for? +

Queenscliff is known for its extraordinary concentration of 19th-century heritage buildings, the Queenscliff-Sorrento Ferry crossing Port Phillip Bay, the Queenscliff Fort (now Australian Defence Force), and the Queenscliff Marine Discovery Centre. The town hosts the renowned Queenscliff Music Festival annually.

How far is Queenscliff from Melbourne? +

Queenscliff is approximately 100 kilometres south-west of Melbourne CBD, around a 1 hour 20 minute drive. The Queenscliff-Sorrento Ferry crossing provides an alternate route, taking approximately 35 minutes across the bay.

Does Queenscliff have public transport? +

Queenscliff is served by bus routes to Geelong (45-60 minutes) and the Queenscliff-Sorrento Ferry. There is no train station in Queenscliff. The Bellarine Railway heritage train also operates seasonally.

What is the population of Queenscliff? +

According to the 2021 Census, Queenscliff has a population of approximately 1,516 permanent residents, with the town attracting many visitors and holiday homeowners throughout the year.

Is Queenscliff a good place to live? +

Queenscliff is one of Victoria's most unique and historic sea-change destinations, with extraordinary heritage character, a vibrant arts scene, and the bay crossing ferry. It suits retirees and remote workers who value a distinctive community with a rich history.

What is the postcode for Queenscliff? +

The postcode for Queenscliff is 3225.

What is the average income in Queenscliff? +

Based on the 2021 Census, the median personal income in Queenscliff is about $793 per week (around $41,200 per year). The median household income is $1,473 per week and the median family income is $1,882 per week.

What is the median house price in Queenscliff? +

As of June quarter 2025, the median house price is $1,450,000, up 16% year-on-year. Figures are based on Valuer-General Victoria — Victorian Property Sales Report.

What is the age profile of Queenscliff? +

The median age in Queenscliff is 62. The largest age group is 65–74 (390 residents, around 26%). Around 13% of residents are under 20 and about 43% are aged 65 or older. (2021 Census)

Is Queenscliff a safe area? +

Crime statistics are recorded at the Local Government Area level. Queenscliff is part of the Queenscliffe 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 Queenscliff? +

In Queenscliff, the median weekly rent is $369, and the median monthly mortgage repayment is $2,232 (2021 Census).