🔍

Swan Reach

VIC 3903 • Victoria

861
Population (2021)
N/A
Median Personal Income
41.63 km²
Area
N/A
Median Rent
RiversideRuralQuietRetiree-Haven

About Swan Reach

Swan Reach is a small town in the Shire of East Gippsland, Victoria, located approximately 306 kilometres east of Melbourne along the Tambo River, roughly halfway between the regional centre of Bairnsdale (25 kilometres to the west) and the popular tourist town of Lakes Entrance (18 kilometres to the south-east). With a population of around 750–860 people, Swan Reach is a quiet rural community in the heart of East Gippsland, offering a relaxed lifestyle surrounded by the natural beauty of the Tambo River valley.

Swan Reach has a rich history rooted in the sawmilling industry that drew settlers to the Tambo River from the 1860s onwards, followed by farming and dairying. Today, the town benefits from its position near the Gippsland Lakes region, providing access to the wetlands, waterways, and natural attractions that make this part of Victoria popular with visitors and retirees. Residents rely on Bairnsdale for shops, schools, and services, with Lakes Entrance a short drive away for additional amenities and the famous Ninety Mile Beach.

Swan Reach falls under postcode 3903 and is governed by the local council Council (LGA). For state elections, residents vote in the Gippsland East (Eastern Victoria) electorate.

📍 Location

State
Victoria
Postcode
3903
Urban Area
N/A
LGA / Council
N/A
Federal Electorate
Gippsland
State Electorate
Gippsland East (Eastern Victoria)
Type
Locality
Timezone
Melbourne (UTC+10)
Coordinates
-37.81°, 147.87°
Statistical Area
N/A
Area
41.63 km²
Elevation
0m

🏷️ Property Prices June quarter 2025

Median sale prices in Swan Reach for the June quarter 2025. Median sale prices published by the Valuer-General Victoria.

🏡House
$639K
5 sales · ▲ 6.6% YoY

Source: Valuer-General Victoria — Victorian Property Sales Report. Medians are for the latest quarter; the change shown is the official 12-month movement. Suburbs with very few sales in a quarter can be volatile.

🚌 Transport & Commute

Nearest Train Stations

Bairnsdale
25 km
N/A (drive)

Bus Services

  • V/Line coach services — Bairnsdale / Lakes Entrance Variable

Commute to Melbourne CBD

Distance
306 km
By Train
Drive to Bairnsdale station (approx. 25 km) then V/Line Bairnsdale Line train to Melbourne (~3.5 hours).
By Car (Peak)
3–3.75 hours
By Car (Off-Peak)
2.75–3.25 hours

🛣️ Princes Highway is the main arterial route to Melbourne via Sale and Traralgon. Bairnsdale is the regional hub for V/Line rail access.

Walkability Almost All Errands Require a Car

Swan Reach is a small dispersed rural town; a car is required for virtually all errands, with major services in Bairnsdale 25 km away.

🛒 Supermarkets Nearby

No major supermarkets listed for this suburb.

🎓 Schools

👥 Demographics

Census 2016
0
Census 2021
861
▲ 0% growth

Population Growth

Gender Distribution (Census 2021)

Personal Income 2016
N/A
Personal Income 2021
N/A
▲ 0% increase

Personal Income Comparison (2016 vs 2021)

📊 Population: ABS Census 2021
💰 Income: ABS Census 2021

Nearby Suburbs

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Swan Reach known for? +

Swan Reach is known for its peaceful setting on the Tambo River in East Gippsland, its proximity to the Gippsland Lakes, and its heritage as a historic sawmilling and farming community. The area is popular with those drawn to Victoria's beautiful East Gippsland waterways and natural landscapes.

How far is Swan Reach from Melbourne? +

Swan Reach is approximately 306 kilometres east of Melbourne, making it roughly a 3 to 3.5 hour drive via the Princes Highway. It is about 25 kilometres east of Bairnsdale, the nearest regional service centre.

Does Swan Reach have public transport? +

Swan Reach has very limited public transport. Residents typically drive to Bairnsdale (approximately 25 km west) to access V/Line train services to Melbourne on the Bairnsdale Line. Some V/Line coach services may connect the area to Bairnsdale and Lakes Entrance.

What is the population of Swan Reach? +

Swan Reach had a population of approximately 751 people at the 2016 Census, making it a small but established community in the East Gippsland region.

Is Swan Reach a good place to live? +

Swan Reach offers a quiet, affordable lifestyle in beautiful East Gippsland, close to the Gippsland Lakes region and the natural attractions of the Tambo River valley. It is well-suited to retirees and those seeking a relaxed rural or semi-rural lifestyle, with Bairnsdale nearby for everyday services.

What is the postcode for Swan Reach? +

The postcode for Swan Reach, Victoria is 3903.

What is the median house price in Swan Reach? +

As of June quarter 2025, the median house price is $638,500, up 6.6% year-on-year. Figures are based on Valuer-General Victoria — Victorian Property Sales Report.