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Smeaton

VIC 3364 • Victoria

245
Population (2021)
N/A
Median Personal Income
82.25 km²
Area
N/A
Median Rent
RuralHistoricHeritageQuiet
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About Smeaton

Smeaton is a historic rural town in the Shire of Hepburn in central Victoria, located approximately 132 kilometres north-west of Melbourne and 32 kilometres north of Ballarat. With a 2021 Census population of 245 residents spread across 82.3 square kilometres, it is a small but historically significant community founded in the 1840s by Scottish squatter Captain John Hepburn. The area retains a notably older demographic, with a median resident age of 51 years, and has strong British and Australian heritage roots.

Smeaton's most famous landmark is The Cumberland Hotel — widely recognised as the oldest weatherboard pub in Victoria — alongside the heritage-listed Smeaton House (1849), a grand colonial homestead that speaks to the area's prosperous pastoral past during the gold rush era. The town once boasted seven hotels, two bakeries, and two banks, and today its quiet character and historic charm attract visitors and tree-changers alike. With easy access to the Daylesford and Hepburn Springs region, Smeaton appeals to those drawn to central Victoria's spa country lifestyle and rural heritage landscape.

Smeaton falls under postcode 3364 and is governed by the Hepburn Council (Local Government Area). For federal elections, residents vote in the electorate of Mallee, while state elections fall under the Ripon (Western Victoria) electorate.

📍 Location

State
Victoria
Postcode
3364
Urban Area
N/A
LGA / Council
Hepburn
Federal Electorate
Mallee
State Electorate
Ripon (Western Victoria)
Type
Locality
Timezone
Melbourne (UTC+10)
Coordinates
-37.33°, 143.91°
Statistical Area
N/A
Area
82.25 km²
Population Density
3 /km²
Elevation
0m

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💰 Income

ATO taxable income Postcode 3364

Median taxable income for individual taxpayers in postcode 3364 for the 2023–24 financial year (2019–20 data not published for this postcode).

Median 2019–20
N/A
Median 2023–24
$46,253
Average taxable income (2023–24)
$59,115

Source: ATO Taxation Statistics 2023–24, Individuals Table 8 (median & average taxable income by postcode). Covers all individuals who lodged a return in postcode 3364; postcodes with fewer than 200 lodgments are suppressed by the ATO.

🚌 Transport & Commute

Bus Services

  • Limited local rural services — Ballarat or Creswick 30-40 min to Ballarat

Commute to Melbourne CBD

Distance
132 km
By Train
No direct service; drive to Creswick or Ballarat for V/Line trains to Melbourne (approx. 1.5 hrs from Ballarat)
By Car (Peak)
1h 30min–1h 50min
By Car (Off-Peak)
1h 15min–1h 30min

🛣️ Midland Highway provides access south to Ballarat and north toward Maryborough

Walkability Almost All Errands Require a Car

A small historic town with a single pub; most services require driving to Creswick or Ballarat

🛒 Supermarkets Nearby

No major supermarkets listed for this suburb.

🎓 Schools

👥 Demographics

Census 2016
0
Census 2021
245
▲ 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 Smeaton. 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 Smeaton known for? +

Smeaton is known for The Cumberland Hotel, widely regarded as the oldest weatherboard pub in Victoria, and for the heritage-listed Smeaton House (1849), built by Scottish founder Captain John Hepburn. The town's gold rush history and rural character also make it notable in the Hepburn Shire region.

How far is Smeaton from Ballarat? +

Smeaton is approximately 32 kilometres north of Ballarat, a drive of around 30–40 minutes via the Midland Highway.

Does Smeaton have public transport? +

Smeaton has no direct rail or bus service. The nearest V/Line train stations are Creswick (approximately 14 km east) and Ballarat (approximately 32 km south), where trains connect to Melbourne. A car is essential for Smeaton residents.

What is the population of Smeaton? +

According to the 2021 Census, Smeaton has a population of 245 residents. The median age of residents is 51 years, reflecting an established and older community demographic.

Is Smeaton a good place to live? +

Smeaton suits people who value historic character, rural tranquillity, and proximity to the Daylesford and Hepburn Springs spa country. It is best suited to retirees, heritage enthusiasts, and those who work from home or are willing to commute to Ballarat.

What is the postcode for Smeaton? +

The postcode for Smeaton, Victoria is 3364.

Is Smeaton a safe area? +

Crime statistics are recorded at the Local Government Area level. Smeaton 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.