🔍

Swan Marsh

VIC 3249 • Victoria

127
Population (2021)
N/A
Median Personal Income
54.97 km²
Area
N/A
Median Rent
RuralAgriculturalPeacefulSemi-Rural
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About Swan Marsh

Swan Marsh is a small rural town in the Western District of Victoria, located within the Colac Otway Shire approximately 168 kilometres south-west of Melbourne and 19 kilometres west of Colac. The town had a 2021 census population of 127 residents, continuing a long tradition of quiet country settlement that dates back to European farming activity in the mid-19th century. The locality sits in the gently undulating country between the Otway Ranges to the south and the volcanic lakes region inland.

Swan Marsh is a peaceful farming community surrounded by dairy and grazing properties typical of south-western Victoria. Residents rely on nearby Colac for supermarkets, schools, medical services, and the full range of everyday amenities, while the town itself maintains a quiet rural character. The broader Colac Otway region offers access to the Otway Ranges, Cape Otway Lightstation, and the Great Ocean Road, making the area popular with those who value natural beauty alongside a country lifestyle.

Swan Marsh falls under postcode 3249 and is governed by the Colac Otway Council (Local Government Area). For federal elections, residents vote in the electorate of Wannon, while state elections fall under the Polwarth (Western Victoria) electorate.

📍 Location

State
Victoria
Postcode
3249
Urban Area
N/A
LGA / Council
Colac Otway
Federal Electorate
Wannon
State Electorate
Polwarth (Western Victoria)
Type
Locality
Timezone
Melbourne (UTC+10)
Coordinates
-38.39°, 143.56°
Statistical Area
N/A
Area
54.97 km²
Population Density
2 /km²
Elevation
0m

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💰 Income

ATO taxable income Postcode 3249

Median taxable income for individual taxpayers in postcode 3249 for the 2023–24 financial year (2019–20 data not published for this postcode).

Median 2019–20
N/A
Median 2023–24
$49,010
Average taxable income (2023–24)
$64,254

Source: ATO Taxation Statistics 2023–24, Individuals Table 8 (median & average taxable income by postcode). Covers all individuals who lodged a return in postcode 3249; postcodes with fewer than 200 lodgments are suppressed by the ATO.

🚌 Transport & Commute

Bus Services

  • Limited local bus services — Colac Approx. 20-25 min

Commute to Melbourne CBD

Distance
168 km
By Train
No direct train; nearest V/Line service at Colac (approx. 19 km), trains to Melbourne take approx. 2 hr 10 min
By Car (Peak)
2 hr – 2 hr 30 min
By Car (Off-Peak)
1 hr 45 min – 2 hr

🛣️ Accessible via the Princes Highway (A1) through Colac; Geelong is approx. 94 km east

Walkability Almost All Errands Require a Car

Swan Marsh is a small rural town with minimal local services; a car is essential for shopping, schools, and most daily needs

🛒 Supermarkets Nearby

No major supermarkets listed for this suburb.

🎓 Schools

👥 Demographics

Census 2016
0
Census 2021
127
▲ 0% growth

Population Growth

Gender Distribution (Census 2021)

📊 Population: ABS Census 2021

🚔 Crime Statistics LGA-wide

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

Break & enter (dwelling)
250.7 / 100k
2yr Up 11.7% 10yr Down 43.6%
Motor vehicle theft
89.5 / 100k
2yr Up 81.3% 10yr Down 23.5%
Non-FV assault
259.6 / 100k
2yr Down 18.6% 10yr Stable
Robbery (unarmed)
0 / 100k
2yr — 10yr Down 100.0%
Steal from vehicle
308.9 / 100k
2yr Up 67.8% 10yr Up 11.8%
View all offence subgroups for Colac Otway →

Source: Crime Statistics Agency Victoria

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is Swan Marsh known for? +

Swan Marsh is a quiet rural farming town in Victoria's Colac Otway Shire, surrounded by dairy and grazing land. The broader region is known for its volcanic lakes, the Otway Ranges, and proximity to the Great Ocean Road.

How far is Swan Marsh from Melbourne? +

Swan Marsh is approximately 168 kilometres south-west of Melbourne CBD, a drive of around 2 hours via the Princes Highway through Colac.

Does Swan Marsh have public transport? +

Swan Marsh has limited local bus services connecting to Colac. The nearest V/Line train station is Colac, approximately 19 kilometres east, with regular services to Melbourne and Geelong.

What is the population of Swan Marsh? +

According to the 2021 Census, Swan Marsh had a population of 127 residents. The town has maintained a small, stable farming community since European settlement in the mid-19th century.

Is Swan Marsh a good place to live? +

Swan Marsh is well suited to those seeking a quiet rural lifestyle in south-western Victoria, with the added bonus of easy access to the Otway Ranges and Great Ocean Road. Residents accept limited local services and travel to Colac for everyday needs.

What is the postcode for Swan Marsh? +

The postcode for Swan Marsh is 3249.

Is Swan Marsh a safe area? +

Crime statistics are recorded at the Local Government Area level. Swan Marsh is part of the Colac Otway 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.