🔍

Willaura

VIC 3379 • Victoria

439
Population (2021)
N/A
Median Personal Income
444.69 km²
Area
N/A
Median Rent
RuralAgriculturalHistoricCountry Living
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About Willaura

Willaura is a small agricultural town in western Victoria, located within the Rural City of Ararat local government area, approximately 231 kilometres west of Melbourne and 36 kilometres south of Ararat. The town sits in a productive farming district characterised by vast open paddocks, and the 2021 census recorded a population of 439. The name Willaura is said, by tradition, to derive from the phrase "Will Laura?", part of local folklore. The area was first traversed by Major Thomas Mitchell in 1836, whose favourable reports opened the district to European settlement.

Willaura offers a quiet rural lifestyle with essential services including a primary school, general store, and health facilities, while larger centres like Ararat and Hamilton provide additional amenities. The surrounding landscape is dominated by sheep and cropping farms, and the community maintains a strong agricultural identity. The town's heritage is reflected in its war memorial and historic streetscape on the main road. Willaura appeals to residents seeking affordable rural property and a close-knit community, particularly those connected to the local farming economy.

Willaura falls under postcode 3379 and is governed by the Ararat Council (Local Government Area). For federal elections, residents vote in the electorate of Wannon, while state elections fall under the Lowan (Western Victoria) electorate.

📍 Location

State
Victoria
Postcode
3379
Urban Area
N/A
LGA / Council
Ararat
Federal Electorate
Wannon
State Electorate
Lowan (Western Victoria)
Type
Locality
Timezone
Melbourne (UTC+10)
Coordinates
-37.53°, 142.52°
Statistical Area
N/A
Area
444.69 km²
Population Density
1 /km²
Elevation
0m

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💰 Income

ATO taxable income Postcode 3379

Median taxable income for individual taxpayers in postcode 3379 for the 2023–24 financial year (2019–20 data not published for this postcode).

Median 2019–20
N/A
Median 2023–24
$48,567
Average taxable income (2023–24)
$60,271

Source: ATO Taxation Statistics 2023–24, Individuals Table 8 (median & average taxable income by postcode). Covers all individuals who lodged a return in postcode 3379; postcodes with fewer than 200 lodgments are suppressed by the ATO.

🚌 Transport & Commute

Nearest Train Stations

Ararat
36 km
N/A – drive only

Bus Services

  • V/Line coach — Ararat / Hamilton 40 to 50 min to Ararat

Commute to Melbourne CBD

Distance
231 km
By Train
Drive to Ararat (~36 km), then V/Line train approx. 2 hrs 30 min
By Bus
V/Line coach connections via Ararat
By Car (Peak)
approx. 2 hrs 30 min
By Car (Off-Peak)
approx. 2 hrs 20 min

🛣️ Ararat is the nearest service town and rail connection. Ballarat is ~116 km east for broader services.

Walkability Car Dependent

Very car dependent. Basic services are walkable within the town itself, but all major shopping and transport links require a car.

🛒 Supermarkets Nearby

No major supermarkets listed for this suburb.

🎓 Schools

👥 Demographics

Census 2016
0
Census 2021
439
▲ 0% growth

Population Growth

Gender Distribution (Census 2021)

📊 Population: ABS Census 2021

🚔 Crime Statistics LGA-wide

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

Break & enter (dwelling)
504.5 / 100k
2yr Up 25.4% 10yr Up 18.5%
Motor vehicle theft
265.1 / 100k
2yr Up 23.9% 10yr Up 159.4%
Non-FV assault
384.8 / 100k
2yr Down 18.3% 10yr Down 27.1%
Robbery (unarmed)
0 / 100k
2yr — 10yr —
Steal from vehicle
538.7 / 100k
2yr Up 33.9% 10yr Up 118.2%
View all offence subgroups for Ararat →

Source: Crime Statistics Agency Victoria

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Nearby Suburbs

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Willaura known for? +

Willaura is a small agricultural service town in the Rural City of Ararat, known for sheep farming, grain growing, and a close-knit community typical of western Victoria's pastoral towns. The town has a historic pub, hall, and primary school.

How far is Willaura from Melbourne? +

Willaura is approximately 235 kilometres north-west of Melbourne, around a 2 hour 45 minute drive via the Western Highway and Glenelg Highway.

Does Willaura have public transport? +

Willaura has very limited public transport. Ararat is the nearest town with V/Line rail services. A car is required for most travel.

What is the population of Willaura? +

According to the 2021 Census, Willaura has a population of approximately 439 residents, a small rural community in western Victoria.

Is Willaura a good place to live? +

Willaura suits farming families and those seeking affordable country living in the Rural City of Ararat, within reach of Ararat's regional services and the stunning Grampians National Park nearby.

What is the postcode for Willaura? +

The postcode for Willaura is 3379.

Is Willaura a safe area? +

Crime statistics are recorded at the Local Government Area level. Willaura is part of the Ararat 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.