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The Bairnsdale District extends across a diverse network of settlements surrounding the regional centre of Bairnsdale. Bairnsdale and immediate surrounding towns have some of the highest population density in the shire. The district also supports rural and peri-urban areas characterised by agriculture and natural landscapes. The district functions also as a gateway to East Gippsland’s natural attractions, linking inland areas with the Gippsland Lakes and coastal environments.
Bairnsdale is the largest settlement in East Gippsland and is the primary service and administrative hub for the shire. The regional city is shaped by the Mitchell River, its floodplains, and proximity to the Gippsland Lakes. The area was settled the 1840’s, becoming a shire in 1868. During this time, Bairnsdale grew into a port town with navigable links along the river upstream and down to the lakes and sea towards Melbourne.
The Bairnsdale District is located on the traditional lands of the Gunaikurnai, notably the Brabralung clan who were primarily in the Bairnsdale and Mitchell River areas. For tens of thousands of years, Gunaikurnai people have lived in the district continuing a deep cultural, spiritual, and economic connection to Country.
The surrounding townships and localities contribute to the district’s identity through a mix of rural living, farming, and natural environments including bushland and waterways. Together, they form a connected district where Bairnsdale provides employment, education, health, and cultural opportunities, while the smaller communities support local small-town lifestyles.
Bairnsdale District comprises of the following localities:
Bairnsdale, Banksia Peninsula, Bengworden, Broadlands, Bullumwaal, Clifton Creek, Deptford, East Bairnsdale, Eastwood, Forge Creek, Goon Nure, Granite Rock, Lucknow, Melwood, Mount Taylor, Ryans, Sarsfield, Waterholes and Wy Yung, and the East Gippsland Shire part of the locality of Hollands Landing.
Bairnsdale District Resources
Bairnsdale 2050:
The Bairnsdale 2050 project will take a fresh look at opportunities for the growth and prosperity of our regional centre. It will include looking at the needs for future housing and neighbourhoods, transport, industry, and commerce, and to improve the public facilities and spaces that serve the community’s needs. It will also include a focus on the opportunities to create a vibrant and thriving town centre and to build environmental sustainability into the future development of Bairnsdale.
Bairnsdale 2050 covers the localities of Bairnsdale, East Bairnsdale, Eastwood, Lucknow, and Wy Yung.
For more information. visit www.yoursay.eastgippsland.vic.gov.au/bairnsdale-2050
Strategic planning across other districts is delivered through Place Planning. Learn more at www.eastgippsland.vic.gov.au/community/community-plans or click on your district.
Key Documents:
See below for more information and resources on your locality.
Connect with Council Locally
Corporate Centre: Customer Service and Visitor Information Centre:
273 Main Street, Bairnsdale
Monday to Friday 9.00am – 5.00pm
Bairnsdale Library:
22 Service Street, Bairnsdale
Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday: 9.00am - 6.00pm
Thursday 9.00am - 9.00pm
Saturday: 9.00am - 12.00pm
Mobile Library:
The mobile library visits Bairnsdale Christian College, Eastwood, Maddocks Gardens, and Clifton Waters Retirement Village. For an up-to-date schedule, visit Mobile Libraries and Outreach Services.
Bairnsdale is the gateway to East Gippsland. It is a thriving regional centre of approximately 8,000 people, making it East Gippsland’s largest locality. Set on the banks of the Mitchell River, it is home to significant community assets and has a bustling business district with restaurants, cafes, goods, and services.
Council-led Improvement Projects:
Bairnsdale Airport Runway Extension and Lighting Upgrade - complete
Also see Bairnsdale Airport Air Ambulance Transfer Facility
Bairnsdale City Oval Changeroom Upgrades - complete
Bairnsdale City Ovel Peppercorn Park Upgrade - complete
Bosworth Road Recreation Reserve Dog Park Upgrade - complete
Port of Bairnsdale Master Plan
West Bairnsdale Oval Redevelopment
WORLD Sporting Precinct Redevelopment
Council-Supported Community Improvement Projects:
Gippsland Agriculture Group Agriculture Centre
Community assets and facilities:
Not all assets and facilities have been listed due to Bairnsdale’s size. For a comprehensive list, please visit relevant websites, or refer to the Community Directory and the upcoming Bairnsdale 2050.
Services:
Bairnsdale Airport
Bairnsdale CFA Fire Station
Bairnsdale Railway Station
Bairnsdale Regional Health Service
East Gippsland Livestock Exchange
VicSES Bairnsdale Unit
To see government primary schools in the Bairnsdale area, visit www.vic.gov.au/victorian-government-schools-directory
Early Learning services are provided through several agencies.
Community facilities:
Bairnsdale Aquatic and Recreation Centre
Bairnsdale Neighbourhood house
East Gippsland Shire Library
Gippsland and East Gippsland Aboriginal Co-Operative (GEGAC)
Krowathunkooloong Keeping Place
Picnic Point Hall
Open spaces and reserves:
Bairnsdale All Abilities Playground
Bairnsdale City Oval
Bairnsdale Skatepark
Davidson Oval
Macleod Morass Game Reserve
Nicholson Street Mall
Port of Bairnsdale and the Mitchell River Walking Track
Rotary Park (includes Bairnsdale Tennis Club and Bowls Club)
West Bairnsdale Recreation Reserve
WORLD Sporting Precinct
Find Howitt Park under East Bairnsdale.
For all other parks and reserves, visit www.eastgippsland.vic.gov.au/leisure/halls-parks-and-reserves.
Bengworden is a dispersed rural locality, located southwest of Bairnsdale. The locality borders Wellington Shire.
Council-led Improvement Projects:
See Bairnsdale for Bairnsdale Airport and Gippsland Agriculture Centre
Community assets and facilities:
Bengworden Hall and Reserve
Clifton Creek is approximately 15 minutes’ drive from Bairnsdale. It is mostly a rural area located along the northern edge of the Bairnsdale District, bordering significant tracts of state forest and the Nicholson River catchment area.
Clifton Creek was one of 10 East Gippsland Community Recovery Committee districts that formed following the 2019-20 Black Summer Bushfires. For more information on their recovery and to see their recovery plan, visit www.eastgippsland.vic.gov.au/community/community-recovery
Clifton Creek Locality Snapshot
Council Supported Community Improvement Projects:
Clifton Creek Recreation Reserve Upgrade including hall, outdoor stage, tennis courts and playground
Community assets and facilities:
Clifton Creek Primary School
Clifton Creek Hall and Recreation Reserve
Clifton Creek Satellite Fire Station for Sarsfield CFA
East Bairnsdale is located on the eastern shores of the Mitchell River.
East Bairnsdale Locality Snapshot
Council-led Improvement Projects:
Hoddinott Reserve Playground Upgrade - complete
Jones Bay Southern Catchment / Crooke Street Wetlands - complete
Community Assets and Facilities:
Cameron Crescent Reserve
Hoddinott Street Playground
Howitt Park
Howitt Park Playground
McEacharn Street Playground
Eastwood and Lucknow are growing residential areas located next to the Clifton Creek and along the Princes Highway respectively. The localities are characterised by urban green spaces amongst increasing services and facilities.
Council-led Improvement Projects:
New East Gippsland Gymnastics Centre
Community Assets and Facilities:
Bairnsdale Squash and Table Tennis Centre
Balmoral Crescent Reserve
East Gippsland Gymnastics Centre
Lucknow Memorial Hall
Lucknow Park (including Eastwood Playspace)
Lucknow Recreation Reserve
Mount Taylor and Bullumwaal are located northeast of Bairnsdale. Mt Taylor area includes residential housing and lifestyle properties with areas of active farming. Bullumwaal is a more remote locality dominated by state forest interspersed with pockets of agriculture land.
Mount Taylor Locality Snapshot
Community Assets and Facilities:
Bullumwaal Mechanics Hall
Mount Taylor CFA Fire Station (Wy Yung address)
Mt Taylor Hall
Sarsfield is a rural‑residential locality characterised by growing lifestyle properties. It is located along the Princes Highway with the Nicholson River running through its centre.
Sarsfield was one of 10 East Gippsland Community Recovery Committee districts that formed following the 2019-20 Black Summer Bushfires. For more information on their recovery and to see their recovery plan, visit www.eastgippsland.vic.gov.au/community/community-recovery
Council-led Improvement Projects:
Sarsfield Recreation Reserve and Community Hall Revitalisation
Community Assets and Facilities:
Sarsfield Recreation Reserve and Community Hall
Sarsfield CFA Fire Station