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South Dudley

VIC 3995 • Victoria

421
Population (2021)
N/A
Median Personal Income
1.53 km²
Area
N/A
Median Rent
HistoricEstablishedRuralQuietCoastal
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About South Dudley

South Dudley is a small historic town in the Bass Coast Shire of Victoria, established in 1910 to house workers from the adjacent State Coal Mine in Wonthaggi. Covering a compact area of approximately 1.5 square kilometres, the town has a population of around 421 and retains its character as a former worker's village. Located in South Gippsland, the area falls under the jurisdiction of Bass Coast Shire Council and reflects the mining heritage that shaped much of the surrounding Wonthaggi district.

South Dudley's compact residential streetscape was originally developed for coal mine employees, and the town functioned as a self-contained workers' village until the State Coal Mine closed in 1968. Today the area is a quiet residential locality within close reach of Wonthaggi — approximately 2 kilometres away — which offers supermarkets, schools, healthcare, and the popular State Coal Mine heritage attraction. The surrounding Bass Coast landscape features coastal bushland and beaches, with Inverloch and Cape Paterson a short drive away, making South Dudley an affordable base for enjoying the Gippsland coastline.

South Dudley falls under postcode 3995 and is governed by the Bass Coast Council (Local Government Area). For federal elections, residents vote in the electorate of Monash, while state elections fall under the Bass (Eastern Victoria) electorate.

📍 Location

State
Victoria
Postcode
3995
Urban Area
N/A
LGA / Council
Bass Coast
Federal Electorate
Monash
State Electorate
Bass (Eastern Victoria)
Type
Locality
Timezone
Melbourne (UTC+10)
Coordinates
-38.58°, 145.63°
Statistical Area
N/A
Area
1.53 km²
Population Density
275 /km²
Elevation
0m

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💰 Income

ATO taxable income Postcode 3995

Median taxable income for individual taxpayers in postcode 3995, comparing the 2019–20 and 2023–24 financial years.

Median 2019–20
$37,999
Median 2023–24
$46,125
▲ 21.4% increase
Average taxable income (2023–24)
$55,182

Source: ATO Taxation Statistics 2023–24, Individuals Table 8 (median & average taxable income by postcode). Covers all individuals who lodged a return in postcode 3995; postcodes with fewer than 200 lodgments are suppressed by the ATO.

🚌 Transport & Commute

Bus Services

  • Dyson's Bus Lines regional services — Wonthaggi and Inverloch 5–10 min to Wonthaggi

Commute to Melbourne CBD

Distance
130 km
By Train
No direct rail; bus to Wonthaggi, then limited coach to Melbourne (approx. 2–2.5 hrs total)
By Car (Peak)
1 hr 40 min – 2 hr 15 min
By Car (Off-Peak)
1 hr 30 min – 1 hr 50 min

🛣️ Access via Bass Highway; Wonthaggi town centre is the main service hub approximately 2 km away

Walkability Car-Dependent

South Dudley is a compact suburb but has minimal local services; most residents walk or drive the short distance to Wonthaggi for shopping and daily needs

🛒 Supermarkets Nearby

No major supermarkets listed for this suburb.

🎓 Schools

👥 Demographics

Census 2016
0
Census 2021
421
▲ 0% growth

Population Growth

Gender Distribution (Census 2021)

📊 Population: ABS Census 2021

🚔 Crime Statistics LGA-wide

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

Break & enter (dwelling)
385.8 / 100k
2yr Stable 10yr Down 18.3%
Motor vehicle theft
160.2 / 100k
2yr Up 66.9% 10yr Up 41.1%
Non-FV assault
259.4 / 100k
2yr Stable 10yr Down 10.5%
Robbery (unarmed)
2.3 / 100k
2yr Stable 10yr Down 62.3%
Steal from vehicle
349.7 / 100k
2yr Up 24.5% 10yr Down 13.3%
View all offence subgroups for Bass Coast →

Source: Crime Statistics Agency Victoria

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Nearby Suburbs

Frequently Asked Questions

What is South Dudley known for? +

South Dudley is known for its origins as a purpose-built workers' village established in 1910 to house employees of the Wonthaggi State Coal Mine. Its compact heritage streetscape reflects its unique industrial history, and the nearby State Coal Mine (now a heritage attraction) remains a significant drawcard for visitors to the area.

How far is South Dudley from Melbourne? +

South Dudley is approximately 130 kilometres south-east of Melbourne CBD, a drive of around 1.5 to 2 hours via the South Gippsland Highway or Bass Highway.

Does South Dudley have public transport? +

South Dudley has limited local bus connections to nearby Wonthaggi. There is no direct rail service; residents can access coach connections to Melbourne from Wonthaggi, though a car is the most practical transport option.

What is the population of South Dudley? +

South Dudley has a population of approximately 421 residents, making it a small, tight-knit community. Despite its compact area of around 1.5 square kilometres, it has maintained a steady residential population since the State Coal Mine era.

Is South Dudley a good place to live? +

South Dudley is well-suited to those seeking an affordable and historically characterful home near the Bass Coast. Wonthaggi's full range of services is a short drive away, and the nearby Gippsland coastline — including Inverloch and Cape Paterson — provides excellent beach and nature access.

What is the postcode for South Dudley? +

The postcode for South Dudley, Victoria is 3995, shared with Wonthaggi and surrounding Bass Coast localities.

Is South Dudley a safe area? +

Crime statistics are recorded at the Local Government Area level. South Dudley is part of the Bass Coast 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.