🔍

Thorpdale

VIC 3835 • Victoria

475
Population (2021)
N/A
Median Personal Income
65.70 km²
Area
N/A
Median Rent
RuralAgriculturalFamous PotatoesGippslandVillage
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About Thorpdale

Thorpdale is a small town in the Shire of Baw Baw in the Gippsland region of eastern Victoria, located 137 kilometres southeast of Melbourne and 23 kilometres southwest of Moe. With a population of 475 at the 2021 census across 65.7 square kilometres, it sits in a former volcanic crater surrounded by exceptionally rich red soil. The town is famous throughout Australia as the "Heart of Potato Country", with Thorpdale potatoes renowned for their quality.

Thorpdale's identity is inseparable from its potato farming heritage, celebrated annually at the Thorpdale Potato Festival. The rich volcanic soil produces premium potatoes that are eaten across Australia and exported internationally. The town has a general store, community hall, and primary school, with Trafalgar and Moe providing broader services. The area attracts farming families and tree-changers drawn to the green, fertile hills and affordable properties in scenic Gippsland.

Thorpdale falls under postcode 3835 and is governed by the Baw Baw Council (Local Government Area). For federal elections, residents vote in the electorate of Monash, while state elections fall under the Narracan (Eastern Victoria) electorate.

📍 Location

State
Victoria
Postcode
3835
Urban Area
N/A
LGA / Council
Baw Baw
Federal Electorate
Monash
State Electorate
Narracan (Eastern Victoria)
Type
Locality
Timezone
Melbourne (UTC+10)
Coordinates
-38.29°, 146.18°
Statistical Area
N/A
Area
65.70 km²
Population Density
7 /km²
Elevation
0m

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💰 Income

ATO taxable income Postcode 3835

Median taxable income for individual taxpayers in postcode 3835 for the 2023–24 financial year (2019–20 data not published for this postcode).

Median 2019–20
N/A
Median 2023–24
$53,906
Average taxable income (2023–24)
$68,794

Source: ATO Taxation Statistics 2023–24, Individuals Table 8 (median & average taxable income by postcode). Covers all individuals who lodged a return in postcode 3835; postcodes with fewer than 200 lodgments are suppressed by the ATO.

🚌 Transport & Commute

Nearest Train Stations

Trafalgar Station
14 km
N/A
Moe Station
23 km
N/A

Commute to Moe

Distance
23 km
By Train
N/A — drive to Trafalgar or Moe for V/Line
By Bus
N/A — no bus service
By Car (Peak)
20 min to Trafalgar
By Car (Off-Peak)
15 min to Trafalgar

🛣️ Trafalgar has V/Line trains to Melbourne (1 hr 40 min). Melbourne is about 1 hr 40 min by car via M1.

Walkability Car-Dependent

Small town with a general store and school. Most services require driving to Trafalgar or Moe.

🛒 Supermarkets Nearby

No major supermarkets listed for this suburb.

🎓 Schools

👥 Demographics

Census 2016
0
Census 2021
475
▲ 0% growth

Population Growth

Gender Distribution (Census 2021)

📊 Population: ABS Census 2021

🚔 Crime Statistics LGA-wide

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

Break & enter (dwelling)
278.9 / 100k
2yr Up 42.1% 10yr Stable
Motor vehicle theft
231.3 / 100k
2yr Up 100.4% 10yr Up 40.8%
Non-FV assault
313.7 / 100k
2yr Down 11.5% 10yr Up 33.3%
Robbery (unarmed)
1.6 / 100k
2yr Stable 10yr —
Steal from vehicle
733.7 / 100k
2yr Up 83.1% 10yr Up 33.0%
View all offence subgroups for Baw Baw →

Source: Crime Statistics Agency Victoria

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Nearby Suburbs

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Thorpdale known for? +

Thorpdale is known for being part of the fertile potato growing region of West Gippsland, with the rich volcanic soils of the Strzelecki Ranges foothills supporting potato and dairy production. It is a quiet, close-knit rural community.

How far is Thorpdale from Melbourne? +

Thorpdale is approximately 137 kilometres south-east of Melbourne, around a 1 hour 40-50 minute drive via the Princes Highway and South Gippsland Highway.

Does Thorpdale have public transport? +

There is no public transport in Thorpdale. The nearest services are at Trafalgar or Mirboo North. A car is essential.

What is the population of Thorpdale? +

According to the 2021 Census, Thorpdale has a population of approximately 475 residents, a small farming community in the Baw Baw Shire.

Is Thorpdale a good place to live? +

Thorpdale suits farming families and those seeking a very quiet rural lifestyle in the Strzelecki Ranges foothills, within reach of South Gippsland's natural attractions and Trafalgar's rail connection to Melbourne.

What is the postcode for Thorpdale? +

The postcode for Thorpdale is 3835.

Is Thorpdale a safe area? +

Crime statistics are recorded at the Local Government Area level. Thorpdale is part of the Baw Baw 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.