Moyne Shire

Moyne Shire scores well on sustainability (77/100) but only 23/100 on community services — a gap worth watching.

"Western Victoria's dairy heartland — Port Fairy charm and volcanic farming country"

See where Moyne Shire ranks: Best Councils in Victoria 2026

Victoria · regional council · Pop. 17,717

Data last updated: 2024-25 · Data confidence: high

Overall Score

53 out of 100

#13 of 29 regional councils in VIC

#35 in Victoria

Score Breakdown

CategoryScore
Sustainability77/100
Community Services23/100
Lifestyle & Amenity47/100
Core Operations64/100

What This Means For You

Among regional councils, Moyne Shire performs strongest in Sustainability (scoring 77 out of 100 against peers), with room to improve in Community Services (currently 23 out of 100).

What Makes This Place Unique

Western Victoria's dairy heartland — Port Fairy charm and volcanic farming country

Moyne covers Port Fairy, Koroit, Mortlake, and the rich volcanic farming plains of western Victoria. Port Fairy is the jewel — a beautifully preserved fishing village that's become one of Australia's most desirable small coastal towns. The rest of the shire is productive dairy country with strong Irish heritage.

Known For

  • Port Fairy — heritage fishing village, consistently rated among Australia's most liveable towns
  • Port Fairy Folk Festival — one of Australia's premier music festivals
  • Tower Hill Wildlife Reserve — a volcanic crater teeming with koalas and emus
  • Koroit — charming Irish heritage village with a growing food scene

Living Here

Port Fairy is extraordinary — a heritage town with beaches, dining, and fierce community pride. The trade-off is distance (3 hours from Melbourne) and limited services. Koroit is more affordable with its own village character. This is deep western Victoria — you're here for the lifestyle, not the convenience.

Hidden Gem

The Port Fairy to Warrnambool rail trail — a coastal cycling path through farmland and beach landscapes, one of Australia's best short rail trails.