🔍

Skipton

VIC 3361 • Victoria

609
Population (2021)
N/A
Median Personal Income
260.62 km²
Area
N/A
Median Rent
RuralHistoricAgriculturalPeaceful
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About Skipton

Skipton is a small country town in the Western District of Victoria, located 166 kilometres west of Melbourne and 52 kilometres south of Ballarat, within the Corangamite Shire. The town sits on the banks of Mount Emu Creek along the Glenelg Highway, covering an extensive area of over 260 square kilometres of pastoral land. With a population of 609 at the 2021 Census, Skipton has a proud agricultural history dating to 1839 and is fondly known throughout the region as the home of the platypus.

Fine wool is the cornerstone of Skipton's agricultural economy, and the town retains a warm, community-focused character with a monthly variety market at the Mechanics Hall and an annual Rose Festival held after the Melbourne Cup each November. The Ballarat-Skipton Rail Trail offers scenic cycling between the town and Ballarat through pastoral farmland. Skipton also has a football and netball club established in 1873, a golf course, and the historic St Andrew's Presbyterian Church, which has stood since 1872.

Skipton falls under postcode 3361 and is governed by the Pyrenees Council (Local Government Area). For federal elections, residents vote in the electorate of Wannon, while state elections fall under the Ripon (Western Victoria) electorate.

📍 Location

State
Victoria
Postcode
3361
Urban Area
N/A
LGA / Council
Pyrenees
Federal Electorate
Wannon
State Electorate
Ripon (Western Victoria)
Type
Locality
Timezone
Melbourne (UTC+10)
Coordinates
-37.75°, 143.37°
Statistical Area
N/A
Area
260.62 km²
Population Density
2 /km²
Elevation
0m

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💰 Income

ATO taxable income Postcode 3361

Median taxable income for individual taxpayers in postcode 3361 for the 2023–24 financial year (2019–20 data not published for this postcode).

Median 2019–20
N/A
Median 2023–24
$45,624
Average taxable income (2023–24)
$52,185

Source: ATO Taxation Statistics 2023–24, Individuals Table 8 (median & average taxable income by postcode). Covers all individuals who lodged a return in postcode 3361; postcodes with fewer than 200 lodgments are suppressed by the ATO.

🚌 Transport & Commute

Bus Services

  • Limited regional coach services — Ballarat / Hamilton Approximately 1 hour to Ballarat

Commute to Melbourne CBD

Distance
166 km
By Train
No direct train service; drive to Ballarat then V/Line train to Southern Cross (~45 min)
By Car (Peak)
2 hr - 2 hr 30 min
By Car (Off-Peak)
1 hr 45 min - 2 hr

🛣️ Glenelg Highway is the main route; Ballarat is the nearest regional hub with full services

Walkability Car-Dependent

Most daily errands require a car; the town centre has basic services but limited retail

🛒 Supermarkets Nearby

No major supermarkets listed for this suburb.

🎓 Schools

👥 Demographics

Census 2016
0
Census 2021
609
▲ 0% growth

Population Growth

Gender Distribution (Census 2021)

📊 Population: ABS Census 2021

🚔 Crime Statistics LGA-wide

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

Break & enter (dwelling)
386.1 / 100k
2yr Up 58.2% 10yr Down 37.2%
Motor vehicle theft
286.5 / 100k
2yr Up 71.5% 10yr Up 74.6%
Non-FV assault
236.6 / 100k
2yr Up 22.8% 10yr Up 15.4%
Robbery (unarmed)
0 / 100k
2yr — 10yr —
Steal from vehicle
510.6 / 100k
2yr Up 89.3% 10yr Up 33.4%
View all offence subgroups for Pyrenees →

Source: Crime Statistics Agency Victoria

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Nearby Suburbs

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Skipton known for? +

Skipton is best known as the home of the platypus, with Mount Emu Creek providing habitat for the iconic monotreme. The town also has a strong fine wool farming tradition, an annual Rose Festival, and the scenic Ballarat-Skipton Rail Trail which attracts cyclists from across western Victoria.

How far is Skipton from Melbourne? +

Skipton is approximately 166 kilometres west of Melbourne, making it about a 1 hr 45 min to 2 hr 30 min drive via the Western Ring Road and Glenelg Highway. Ballarat, the nearest regional city, is around 52 kilometres to the north.

Does Skipton have public transport? +

Skipton does not have a train station; the Ballarat-Skipton Rail Trail is a recreational cycling route, not a passenger service. Limited regional coach connections run toward Ballarat and Hamilton. A car is essential for most residents.

What is the population of Skipton? +

According to the 2021 Census, Skipton has a population of 609 residents. The town has seen a gradual population decline from a peak of 927 in 2011, reflecting broader trends in small rural Victorian communities.

Is Skipton a good place to live? +

Skipton offers a quintessential small-town Victorian lifestyle with a strong community spirit, affordable housing, and beautiful pastoral surroundings. It suits those who prefer a quiet rural existence and are not reliant on frequent city trips or public transport.

What is the postcode for Skipton? +

The postcode for Skipton is 3361, covering the town and its surrounding rural area in Corangamite Shire, western Victoria.

Is Skipton a safe area? +

Crime statistics are recorded at the Local Government Area level. Skipton is part of the Pyrenees 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.