🔍

Shepherds Flat

VIC 3461 • Victoria

71
Population (2021)
N/A
Median Personal Income
26.82 km²
Area
N/A
Median Rent
RuralHistoricQuietVillage FeelTourist Hub
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About Shepherds Flat

Shepherds Flat is a small rural locality in the Shire of Hepburn, central Victoria, situated approximately 122 kilometres north-west of Melbourne and a short drive from the spa township of Hepburn Springs. With a recorded population of just 71 at the 2021 Census, it is a lightly populated farming and residential hamlet set among gently rolling hills and open paddocks. The locality is characterised by rural residential properties and farmland, attracting those who seek a quiet semi-rural lifestyle within easy reach of the Daylesford and Hepburn Springs region.

Shepherds Flat is best known as the home of the historic Cricket Willow farm, where willow trees have been cultivated for cricket bat manufacture for over a century — a tradition dating back to the early 1900s and revived by the Tinetti family, who have farmed the land for six generations. The Cricket Willow venue today offers farm tours, a café, and accommodation, drawing visitors from across Victoria. Residents enjoy access to the amenities of nearby Daylesford and Hepburn Springs, including mineral springs, day spas, boutique cafés, restaurants, galleries, and weekly farmers' markets. The surrounding Shire of Hepburn is renowned for its natural beauty, creative community, and relaxed pace of life.

Shepherds Flat falls under postcode 3461 and is governed by the Hepburn Council (Local Government Area). For federal elections, residents vote in the electorate of Bendigo, while state elections fall under the Macedon (Northern Victoria) electorate.

📍 Location

State
Victoria
Postcode
3461
Urban Area
N/A
LGA / Council
Hepburn
Federal Electorate
Bendigo
State Electorate
Macedon (Northern Victoria)
Type
Locality
Timezone
Melbourne (UTC+10)
Coordinates
-37.29°, 144.17°
Statistical Area
N/A
Area
26.82 km²
Population Density
3 /km²
Elevation
0m

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💰 Income

ATO taxable income Postcode 3461

Median taxable income for individual taxpayers in postcode 3461 for the 2023–24 financial year (2019–20 data not published for this postcode).

Median 2019–20
N/A
Median 2023–24
$46,694
Average taxable income (2023–24)
$74,987

Source: ATO Taxation Statistics 2023–24, Individuals Table 8 (median & average taxable income by postcode). Covers all individuals who lodged a return in postcode 3461; postcodes with fewer than 200 lodgments are suppressed by the ATO.

🚌 Transport & Commute

Nearest Train Stations

Malmsbury Station
22 km
N/A – drive required

Bus Services

  • V/Line coach (Daylesford service) — Daylesford / Melbourne (Southern Cross) Approx. 2h 30m to Melbourne

Commute to Melbourne CBD

Distance
122 km
By Train
No direct rail; drive to Malmsbury Station then V/Line Bendigo Line to Melbourne (approx. 1h 30m from Malmsbury)
By Car (Peak)
1h 45m – 2h
By Car (Off-Peak)
1h 30m – 1h 45m

🛣️ Car is the primary mode of transport; nearest town is Daylesford (approx. 10 km)

Walkability Almost All Errands Require a Car

Shepherds Flat is a small rural hamlet with no shops or services on site; a car is essential for all daily errands.

🛒 Supermarkets Nearby

No major supermarkets listed for this suburb.

🎓 Schools

👥 Demographics

Census 2016
0
Census 2021
71
▲ 0% growth

Population Growth

Gender Distribution (Census 2021)

📊 Population: ABS Census 2021

🚔 Crime Statistics LGA-wide

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

Break & enter (dwelling)
324.1 / 100k
2yr Stable 10yr Down 39.4%
Motor vehicle theft
200.4 / 100k
2yr Up 51.8% 10yr Down 35.2%
Non-FV assault
165 / 100k
2yr Up 31.0% 10yr Up 34.8%
Robbery (unarmed)
0 / 100k
2yr — 10yr —
Steal from vehicle
683.7 / 100k
2yr Up 119.2% 10yr Up 37.8%
View all offence subgroups for Hepburn →

Source: Crime Statistics Agency Victoria

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Nearby Suburbs

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Shepherds Flat known for? +

Shepherds Flat is best known as the home of the historic Cricket Willow farm, where willow trees have been grown for cricket bat manufacture for over a century. The Tinetti family farm includes a café, museum, and accommodation, and is a popular visitor attraction in the Hepburn Springs region.

How far is Shepherds Flat from Melbourne? +

Shepherds Flat is approximately 122 kilometres north-west of Melbourne CBD, a drive of around 1 hour 30 to 45 minutes via the Calder Freeway and local roads.

Does Shepherds Flat have public transport? +

There is no public transport directly serving Shepherds Flat. The nearest rail connection is Malmsbury Station on the V/Line Bendigo Line, approximately 22 km away. A car is essential for getting around the area.

What is the population of Shepherds Flat? +

According to the 2021 Census, Shepherds Flat had a population of approximately 71 residents, making it a very small rural hamlet within the Shire of Hepburn.

Is Shepherds Flat a good place to live? +

Shepherds Flat appeals to those seeking a peaceful semi-rural lifestyle in the heart of the Hepburn Shire region. It is well-suited to people who value open space, a strong sense of community, and proximity to the spa towns of Daylesford and Hepburn Springs, though a car is essential for daily needs.

What is the postcode for Shepherds Flat? +

The postcode for Shepherds Flat, Victoria is 3461, which it shares with nearby Daylesford and the wider Hepburn Shire district.

Is Shepherds Flat a safe area? +

Crime statistics are recorded at the Local Government Area level. Shepherds Flat is part of the Hepburn 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.