Hepburn Shire
Hepburn Shire ranks 78th of 79 overall in VIC, with lifestyle & amenity the area most needing attention.
"Victoria's spa country — Daylesford, Hepburn Springs, and the creative tree-change capital"
Victoria · rural council · Pop. 16,500
Data last updated: 2024-25 · Data confidence: high
Overall Score
35 out of 100
#19 of 19 rural councils in VIC
#78 in Victoria
Score Breakdown
| Category | Score |
|---|---|
| Sustainability | 33/100 |
| Community Services | 44/100 |
| Lifestyle & Amenity | 20/100 |
| Core Operations | 42/100 |
What This Means For You
Among rural councils, Hepburn Shire performs strongest in community services (better than 44% of peers), with room to improve in resident satisfaction and governance transparency (currently at the 20th percentile).
What Makes This Place Unique
Victoria's spa country — Daylesford, Hepburn Springs, and the creative tree-change capital
Hepburn covers Daylesford, Hepburn Springs, Clunes, Trentham, and Creswick. Daylesford is the star — a historic gold rush town that's become one of Australia's premier tree-change and wellness destinations, with a thriving LGBTQ+ community, artisan food scene, and natural mineral springs.
Known For
- Daylesford and Hepburn Springs — Australia's mineral springs capital
- Thriving LGBTQ+ community and ChillOut Festival
- Exceptional artisan food, drink, and gallery scene
- Clunes — host of Australia's oldest booktown festival
Living Here
Hepburn Shire is the most lifestyle-oriented small shire in Victoria. Daylesford has café culture, galleries, and a community that's both creative and welcoming. Property prices reflect this — it's no longer a budget tree-change. Services are limited; Ballarat and Bendigo handle complex needs.
Hidden Gem
Trentham Falls — a dramatic 32-metre waterfall in the Coliban River, an easy walk from the increasingly popular township of Trentham.