Wonthaggi
Suburb profile, market snapshot and recent listings for Wonthaggi, VIC 3995.
About Wonthaggi
Welcome to Wonthaggi
Wonthaggi sits on Victoria's Bass Coast, roughly two hours south-east of Melbourne, close to the surf beaches and coastal scenery of the Gippsland region. Once a coal-mining town, it has grown into the commercial hub of the Bass Coast Shire, with the beaches of Harmers Haven and Cape Paterson only a short drive away and the popular tourist strip of Inverloch nearby.
It's a suburb that suits people after a slower, coastal pace of life without giving up everyday convenience — retirees, sea-changers and families who want a proper town centre, good schools and the beach all within a few minutes of each other. With a median age of 55 and a population of 5,215, Wonthaggi has a settled, community-oriented feel rather than the buzz of a weekender town.
Lifestyle & dining
Wonthaggi's town centre still carries the character of its mining-era main street, with cafes, pubs and everyday retail mixed in among heritage buildings. The pace here is unhurried, and much of the social life revolves around the coast — beach days at Harmers Haven and Cape Paterson, fishing, and the surf culture that spills over from nearby Inverloch. It's the kind of place where you can do a full grocery run and be at the beach twenty minutes later.
Shopping
As the main service centre for the Bass Coast, Wonthaggi has a broader retail offering than most towns its size, with a full-line supermarket, a shopping plaza and a main street of specialty shops, banks and services. Locals from smaller surrounding communities such as South Dudley and North Wonthaggi typically come into town for their bigger shopping needs, which keeps the strip busy without feeling overrun.
Schools & families
Families are well catered for locally, with Wonthaggi Primary School and Wonthaggi North Primary School both in the suburb, alongside Bass Coast College for secondary students and the alternative Village High School on Watt St. The Bass Coast Specialist School adds an important option for families needing specialist education support, meaning most schooling needs can be met without having to travel out of town.
Getting around
Wonthaggi functions as a self-contained base, with most day-to-day destinations reachable on foot or with a short drive. There's no train line into town, so a car is the practical way to get around and to reach neighbouring communities like South Dudley, North Wonthaggi and Harmers Haven, as well as the run up to Melbourne, which takes around two hours by road. Bus services connect Wonthaggi with surrounding Bass Coast towns for those without their own transport.
The property market
Wonthaggi remains an accessible entry point into coastal Victorian living, with a median house price of $510,000 and units typically changing hands around $395,000. Median rent sits at $450 a week. Recent figures show a modest pullback in house prices of -1.1%, suggesting a market that's levelled off rather than one running hot, which can be good news for buyers weighing up value against lifestyle.
Housing & architecture
The current listings mix reflects Wonthaggi's town-and-coast character: houses make up 65% of what's on the market, with a notable 22% share of land, pointing to ongoing new-build activity on the town's fringes. Apartments and units account for 12% of listings, appealing to downsizers and investors, while townhouses remain a rare find at just 1%. Housing stock ranges from older weatherboard homes near the centre of town to newer builds on its outskirts, giving buyers a genuine spread of styles and price points.
Market snapshot
Wonthaggi property market
Median sale price
$510k
House · 3 bed
Median rent
$450
per week
Gross rental yield
4.6%
annual rent ÷ sale price
Typical price range
Entry
$345k
Median
$510k
Premium
$729k
Days on market
62
Auction clearance
0%
Sold this year
63
Median sold price trend · House 3 bed
Compound growth -2.8% / yr over 4 yrs
Median price by bedrooms · House
Property types on market
Share of current listings in Wonthaggi by dwelling type.
Who lives here
Demographics
ABS Census 2021 figures for Wonthaggi, VIC 3995.
Population
5,215
residents (2021)
Median age
55
years
Household income
$852
median, per week
Median rent
$270
per week
Median mortgage
$1,198
per month
Mortgage / income
32%
stretched (>30%)
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics, Census of Population and Housing 2021. Suburb-level (SAL) aggregates.
Education
Schools in Wonthaggi
Government school catchment
Independent & Catholic schools
Village High School - Watt St
Recent results
Recently sold in Wonthaggi
$349k
17 Dowson Drive
Sold ~July 2026
$390k
3/81 Mckenzie Street
Sold ~July 2026
$649k
50 Connection Road
Sold ~July 2026
$785k
12 Cuttlers Circuit
Sold ~July 2026
$820k
24 Brown Street
Sold ~July 2026
$449k
33 Merrin Crescent
Sold ~July 2026
$550k
18 Graham Street
Sold ~July 2026
$815k
36 Miners Drive
Sold ~July 2026
Sold prices as published on the original listing; some may reflect the last advertised price. Dates are approximate.
Explore the area
Properties & amenities in Wonthaggi
Compare the area
Price map around Wonthaggi
Every listing for sale near Wonthaggi, coloured by price — so you can see how it stacks up against the streets and suburbs next door.
Loading price map…
Nearby suburbs
Quick switch to nearby areas
Common questions
Wonthaggi suburb FAQ
What is the median property price in Wonthaggi?
The median house price in Wonthaggi, VIC is $510k for a 3-bedroom home. Over the past year, median sold prices have fallen about 1.1%.
How much is rent in Wonthaggi?
The median weekly rent in Wonthaggi is around $450 per week.
Is Wonthaggi a good place to live?
Wonthaggi is a town located 132 kilometres (82 mi) south east of Melbourne via the South Gippsland and Bass highways, in the Bass Coast Shire of Gippsland, Victoria, Australia. Wonthaggi is an established residential suburb in VIC, with a population of around 5,215 and 5 schools in the area.
What is the population of Wonthaggi?
Wonthaggi has a population of 5,215 (ABS 2021 Census), with a median age of 55.
What schools are in Wonthaggi?
There are 5 schools in or near Wonthaggi, including Bass Coast Specialist School, Wonthaggi North Primary School and Wonthaggi Primary School.
How long do homes take to sell in Wonthaggi?
Properties in Wonthaggi take around 62 days to sell on average, with an auction clearance rate of about 0%.
How much do you need to buy in Wonthaggi?
Entry-level properties in Wonthaggi start around $345k, while premium homes reach $729k.
What suburbs are near Wonthaggi?
Suburbs near Wonthaggi include South Dudley, North Wonthaggi and Harmers Haven.
Fresh to market
New this week in Wonthaggi
CONTEMPORARY FAMILY LIVING WITH COASTAL PROXIMITY
Modern Luxury Meets Generous Space
The Perfect Place to Call Home - Its like new
HOUSE & LAND PACKAGE - HAVE YOUR DREAM HOME BUILT BY VICTORIAS LARGEST BUILDER OF STEEL FRAME HOMES
Available now