🔍

Upper Ferntree Gully

VIC 3156 • Greater Melbourne

3,417
Population (2021)
$106,028
Median Household Income
3.35 km²
Area
$369/wk
Median Rent
Dandenong Ranges1000 StepsBushlandMountain GatewayNature Access

About Upper Ferntree Gully

Upper Ferntree Gully is a picturesque outer suburb of Melbourne, nestled at the foothills of the Dandenong Ranges 32 kilometres east of the CBD. Spanning the Knox City and Yarra Ranges councils, this community of 3,400 residents serves as the gateway to the ranges and home to the famous 1000 Steps—a Kokoda Track memorial that draws fitness enthusiasts from across Melbourne.

Life here blends suburban convenience with mountain-village character. The Royal Hotel anchors the main strip, while the Angliss Hospital provides local healthcare. Residents enjoy easy access to bushwalking, the Puffing Billy railway, and mountain communities while maintaining a direct train link to the city. Upper Ferntree Gully attracts nature lovers, families seeking space with city access, and those who appreciate the cooler climate and green surrounds of the ranges.

Upper Ferntree Gully falls under postcode 3156 and is governed by Knox Council (LGA). For state elections, residents vote in the Monbulk (Eastern Victoria) electorate.

📍 Location

State
Victoria
Postcode
3156
Urban Area
Wantrina - Rowville - Ferntree Gully
LGA / Council
Knox
Federal Electorate
Aston
State Electorate
Monbulk (Eastern Victoria)
Type
Major Urban
Timezone
Melbourne (UTC+10)
Coordinates
-37.90°, 145.31°
Statistical Area
Greater Melbourne
Area
3.35 km²
Elevation
147m

🏷️ Property Prices June quarter 2025

Median sale prices in Upper Ferntree Gully for the June quarter 2025. Median sale prices published by the Valuer-General Victoria.

🏡House
$920K
11 sales · ▲ 9% 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.

🏠 Housing 2021 Census

Median Rent (weekly)
$369
Median Mortgage (monthly)
$2,000
Avg Household Size
2.6 people
Median Age
41 years

🚌 Transport & Commute

Nearest Train Stations

Ferntree Gully Station
1.5 km
5 min by bus

Bus Services

  • 688 — Knox City Shopping Centre 15 min
  • 693 — Ferntree Gully, Boronia 10 min
  • 732 — Belgrave, Dandenong Ranges 15 min

Commute to Melbourne CBD

Distance
32 km
By Train
55 min (Belgrave Line to Flinders Street)
By Bus
N/A direct; connect via train
By Car (Peak)
50-60 min
By Car (Off-Peak)
40 min

🛣️ Train station is terminus for some services; stabling facilities; some express services available

Walkability Car-Dependent

Main strip along Burwood Highway walkable; hilly terrain limits walking; good train and bus connectivity

🛒 Supermarkets Nearby

No major supermarkets listed for this suburb.

🎓 Schools

🚔 Crime Statistics LGA-wide

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

Break & enter (dwelling)
285.3 / 100k
2yr Stable 10yr Down 10.3%
Motor vehicle theft
279.8 / 100k
2yr Up 172.7% 10yr Down 13.7%
Non-FV assault
180.5 / 100k
2yr Down 10.2% 10yr Up 16.7%
Robbery (unarmed)
3.7 / 100k
2yr Up 18.3% 10yr Up 95.5%
Steal from vehicle
874.2 / 100k
2yr Up 72.9% 10yr Down 20.8%
View all offence subgroups for Knox →

Source: Crime Statistics Agency Victoria

🎓 Educational Institution Attending 2021 Census

School Sector Breakdown

👥 Demographics

Census 2016
3,416
Census 2021
3,417
▲ 0.0% growth

Population Growth

Gender Distribution (Census 2021)

Personal Income 2016
$36,244
Personal Income 2021
$44,044
▲ 21.5% increase

2021 Census income breakdown

Personal = median for one earner. Household = all members of a dwelling pooled. Family = related members only. Annual = weekly × 52.

Personal
$44,044 / yr
$847/wk
Household
$106,028 / yr
$2039/wk
Family
$125,372 / yr
$2411/wk

Personal Income Comparison (2016 vs 2021)

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

🌍 Country of Birth 2021 Census

Born in Australia 2,639
Born Overseas 655

Top Countries of Birth (excl. Australia)

  • 1. England 172
  • 2. New Zealand 45
  • 3. Germany 35
  • 4. India 34
  • 5. South Africa 24
  • 6. China 22
  • 7. Netherlands 20
  • 8. United States 18
  • 9. Ireland 16
  • 10. Poland 16

🧬 Ancestry 2021 Census

Top ancestries reported (people may report up to two)

English 1,411
Australian 1,322
Irish 439
Scottish 426
German 234
Dutch 133
Italian 125
Greek 67
Polish 58
Chinese 54

👨‍👩‍👧 Parents' Birthplace 2021 Census

1,826
Both parents born in Australia
897
Both parents born overseas
561
One parent AU, one overseas

🛐 Religion 2021 Census

No Religion
55.3%
Christianity
37.1%
Buddhism
1.1%
Hinduism
0.3%
Islam
0.3%

📊 Age Distribution 2021 Census

0-4 years
187 (5.5%)
5-14 years
396 (11.6%)
15-19 years
203 (5.9%)
20-24 years
183 (5.4%)
25-34 years
409 (12.0%)
35-44 years
437 (12.8%)
45-54 years
478 (14.0%)
55-64 years
484 (14.2%)
65-74 years
346 (10.1%)
75-84 years
186 (5.4%)
85+ years
96 (2.8%)

Nearby Suburbs

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Upper Ferntree Gully known for? +

Upper Ferntree Gully is known for its proximity to the Puffing Billy Railway, extensive Dandenong Ranges walking trails, and a leafy semi-rural character. The suburb borders the Dandenong Ranges National Park with mountain ash forests.

How far is Upper Ferntree Gully from Melbourne CBD? +

Upper Ferntree Gully is approximately 37 kilometres east of Melbourne CBD. Upper Ferntree Gully station on the Belgrave Line provides train access to Flinders Street in approximately 50-60 minutes.

Does Upper Ferntree Gully have public transport? +

Upper Ferntree Gully station on the Belgrave Line provides regular train services to Melbourne CBD. The Puffing Billy heritage steam railway also operates from Belgrave, adjacent to the suburb.

What is the population of Upper Ferntree Gully? +

According to the 2021 Census, Upper Ferntree Gully has a population of approximately 3,417 residents, a well-established community in the City of Knox foothills.

Is Upper Ferntree Gully a good place to live? +

Upper Ferntree Gully is ideal for nature lovers and families who want Belgrave Line train access, proximity to Puffing Billy, and extensive Dandenong Ranges bushwalking. It offers a cooler, leafy lifestyle in Melbourne's outer east.

What is the postcode for Upper Ferntree Gully? +

The postcode for Upper Ferntree Gully is 3156.

What is the average income in Upper Ferntree Gully? +

Based on the 2021 Census, the median personal income in Upper Ferntree Gully is about $847 per week (around $44,000 per year). The median household income is $2,039 per week and the median family income is $2,411 per week.

What is the median house price in Upper Ferntree Gully? +

As of June quarter 2025, the median house price is $920,000, up 9% year-on-year. Figures are based on Valuer-General Victoria — Victorian Property Sales Report.

What is the age profile of Upper Ferntree Gully? +

The median age in Upper Ferntree Gully is 41. The largest age group is 55–64 (484 residents, around 14%). Around 23% of residents are under 20 and about 18% are aged 65 or older. (2021 Census)

Is Upper Ferntree Gully a safe area? +

Crime statistics are recorded at the Local Government Area level. Upper Ferntree Gully is part of the Knox 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.

How much is rent in Upper Ferntree Gully? +

In Upper Ferntree Gully, the median weekly rent is $369, and the median monthly mortgage repayment is $2,000 (2021 Census).