suburb.guide

VIC · Bass Coast Council

Cowes, 3922

Current weather

10.6°CLight drizzle

89% humidity · 28.3 km/h wind · 12.2° / 10.2° today · 22 mm rain

Desirability score

37.5/100

3721st in Australia

89% data confidence

How this score is calculated

Suburb snapshot

Cowes is a smaller suburban community in the Bass Coast area, home to around 6,593 residents (2021 Census). Available data shows 610 offences in 2026 with rising year-on-year trends (+7%), roughly 92.5 offences per 1,000 residents, 2 school and preschool sites in the area, strong public transport coverage with many Public Transport Victoria stops, fewer mapped amenities than nearby suburbs, 18 active roadworks or transport incidents on nearby routes, and notable planning and development activity on record. Snapshot data also shows parks or public open space within the suburb and hospitals or GP clinics within the suburb.

Population

Population
6,593
Median age
55
Median household income / week
$1,026
Dwelling vacancy
51.7%
Unoccupied private dwellings
2,939 of 5,689
Median monthly mortgage
$1,550
Employment rate
41.8%
Dwelling mix (houses / semi / flats)
275 / 324 / 111

Contributes to desirability score · Community (5%)

Employment, household income and age diversity (2021 Census)

Data sources & freshness

  • 2021 Census — General Community Profile — Australian Bureau of Statistics · Period: 2021 · Updated on site · 2021 Census release

    The 2026 Census runs in August 2026; suburb-level updates are expected from mid-2027.

Crime & safety

Total offences (2026)
610
Against the person
129
Against property
279
Rate per 1,000 residents
92.5
Person-crime prevalence
About 1 in 51 residents
State safety percentile
73.3th (lower crime is better)
Increase (daily rate)
+7.2%

Reported offences increased compared with the previous period.

Reported offences by period

Most common offence types

  • B21 Criminal Damage59
  • B43 Steal From A Retail Store31
  • B49 Other Theft33
  • B53 Obtain Benefit By Deception41
  • E21 Breach Family Violence Order132

Contributes to desirability score · Safety (18%)

Crime rate and year-on-year trend

Data sources & freshness

Schools & preschools

Schools & preschools
2
Median school ICSEA (2 schools)
1,007
  • Cowes Primary SchoolPrimary
  • Our Lady Star of the Sea Catholic Primary SchoolPrimary

Contributes to desirability score · Education (15%)

School and preschool counts, median school ICSEA

Data sources & freshness

Public transport

29 public transport stops in this suburb

  • Dolphin Dr/Back Beach Rd
  • Ventnor Beach Rd/Gap Rd
  • Ventnor Beach Rd/Gap Rd
  • Walton St/Thompson Ave
  • Walton St/Thompson Ave

Contributes to desirability score · Accessibility (15%)

Public transport stop coverage

Data sources & freshness

Roadworks & transport

18 active roadworks / incidents

  • Council Works activities occurring between 20/04/2026 and 31/07/2026 during the following times: Weekdays 12:00 AM to 12:00 AM, Weekends 12:00 AM to 12:00 AM. Impact to traffic will be lanes closed both directions. Altered speed limit during operation will be Nil and the traffic delay is expected to be 0 to 5 min.THOMPSON AVENUE, CHAPEL STREET19 Apr 2026 – 30 Jul 2026
  • Council Works activities occurring between 20/04/2026 and 31/07/2026 during the following times: Weekdays 7:00 AM to 5:00 PM, Weekends 7:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Impact to traffic will be lanes closed both directions. Altered speed limit during operation will be Nil and the traffic delay is expected to be 0 to 5 min.THOMPSON AVENUE, CHAPEL STREET19 Apr 2026 – 30 Jul 2026
  • Council Works activities occurring between 27/06/2026 and 30/10/2026 during the following times: Weekdays 12:00 AM to 12:00 AM, Weekends 12:00 AM to 12:00 AM. Impact to traffic will be lanes closed multiple directions. Altered speed limit during operation will be Nil and the traffic delay is expected to be Nil.THOMPSON AVENUE, CHAPEL STREET26 Jun 2026 – 29 Oct 2026
  • Council Works activities occurring between 27/06/2026 and 30/10/2026 during the following times: Weekdays 12:00 AM to 12:00 AM, Weekends 12:00 AM to 12:00 AM. Impact to traffic will be lanes closed multiple directions. Altered speed limit during operation will be Nil and the traffic delay is expected to be Nil.THOMPSON AVENUE, CHAPEL STREET26 Jun 2026 – 29 Oct 2026
  • Council Works activities occurring between 27/06/2026 and 30/10/2026 during the following times: Weekdays 12:00 AM to 12:00 AM, Weekends 12:00 AM to 12:00 AM. Impact to traffic will be lanes closed multiple directions. Altered speed limit during operation will be Nil and the traffic delay is expected to be Nil.THOMPSON AVENUE, CHAPEL STREET26 Jun 2026 – 29 Oct 2026
  • Council Works activities occurring between 27/06/2026 and 30/10/2026 during the following times: Weekdays 12:00 AM to 12:00 AM, Weekends 12:00 AM to 12:00 AM. Impact to traffic will be lanes closed multiple directions. Altered speed limit during operation will be Nil and the traffic delay is expected to be Nil.CHAPEL STREET, THOMPSON AVENUE26 Jun 2026 – 29 Oct 2026
  • Council Works activities occurring between 27/06/2026 and 30/10/2026 during the following times: Weekdays 12:00 AM to 12:00 AM, Weekends 12:00 AM to 12:00 AM. Impact to traffic will be lanes closed multiple directions. Altered speed limit during operation will be Nil and the traffic delay is expected to be Nil.THOMPSON AVENUE, CHAPEL STREET26 Jun 2026 – 29 Oct 2026
  • Council Works activities occurring between 27/06/2026 and 30/10/2026 during the following times: Weekdays 12:00 AM to 12:00 AM, Weekends 12:00 AM to 12:00 AM. Impact to traffic will be lanes closed multiple directions. Altered speed limit during operation will be Nil and the traffic delay is expected to be Nil.CHAPEL STREET, THOMPSON AVENUE26 Jun 2026 – 29 Oct 2026
  • Council Works activities occurring between 27/06/2026 and 30/10/2026 during the following times: Weekdays 12:00 AM to 12:00 AM, Weekends 12:00 AM to 12:00 AM. Impact to traffic will be lanes closed multiple directions. Altered speed limit during operation will be Nil and the traffic delay is expected to be Nil.THOMPSON AVENUE, THE ESPLANADE26 Jun 2026 – 29 Oct 2026
  • Council Works activities occurring between 27/06/2026 and 30/10/2026 during the following times: Weekdays 12:00 AM to 12:00 AM, Weekends 12:00 AM to 12:00 AM. Impact to traffic will be lanes closed multiple directions. Altered speed limit during operation will be Nil and the traffic delay is expected to be Nil.CHAPEL STREET, THOMPSON AVENUE26 Jun 2026 – 29 Oct 2026

Data sources & freshness

  • Road incidents & closures — State road authority open-data feeds · Period: current · Updated on site · Hourly refresh where supported

Planning & development

Development applications from PPARS statewide register (lodged 2020–2022). Free public PPARS MapServer — applications through ~2022 (service last updated Feb 2024).

137 planning-related records

2021· 40 proposals

  • September 2021

  • Removal of 1 tree in the VPO2
    1 CARISBROOKE COURT COWES 3922Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Four lot subdivision in a LDRZ
    1-11 JEURY COURT COWES 3922Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Removal of one tree in a VPO
    ROAD RESERVE , LAND ADJACENT TO 2 WAGTAIL WAY (LOMANDRA DRIVE SIDE) COWES 3922Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Use and development of land for a mixed use development (retail shop and eight dwellings) in C1Z and DDO11 and reduction in car parking requirement
    77 CHAPEL STREET COWES 3922NOD issued by the Resp. Authority
  • Partial demolition of an existing building in the HO
    THE ESPLANADE COWES 3922Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Removal of a tree in the VPO2
    26 YARRAMUNDI WAY COWES 3922Withdrawn
  • Development of land for 3 dwellings in GRZ1
    28 MONASH AVENUE COWES 3922Withdrawn
  • Amendment to plans - Second dwelling amended to be double storey Original preamble amended - Construction of a Second Dwelling (retention of existing dwelling and construction of double storey dwelling)
    2 TI TREE DRIVE COWES 3922NOD issued by a delegate
  • Buildings and works to an existing restricted retail premise in a CZ1 and DDO and reduction in car parking (three spaces)
    90 & 92 THOMPSON AVENUE COWES 3922Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Use and development of land for industry and warehouse in the IN3Z, and reduction of car parking requirements under Clause 52.06
    2 HARVEY DRIVE COWES 3922Lapsed

  • August 2021

  • Subdivision into 9 lots in the IN3Z
    13 SHORLAND WAY COWES 3922Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Removal of Native Vegetation under Clause 52.17
    110 VENTNOR ROAD COWES 3922Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Removal of vegetation under Clause 52.17
    DUNSMORE ROAD COWES 3922Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Develop the land for a Warehouse in the Industrial 3 Zone - Application to amend what the permit allows & amendment to plans
    23 SHORLAND WAY COWES 3922Withdrawn
  • Subdivision of land into 4 lots
    9 WALPOLE STREET COWES 3922Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Amendment to Planning Permit 190036 ¿ Development of the land for 3 dwellings in the GRZ1 ¿ Change to endorsed plans
    122 CHURCH STREET COWES 3922Withdrawn
  • Development of land for a dwelling 7 metres and higher in the DDO1 and BMO1
    364 CHURCH STREET COWES 3922NOD issued by a delegate
  • Buildings and works associated with a dwelling in the DDO1
    22 CHILLINGWORTH ROAD COWES 3922Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Development of land for a replacement dwelling 7 metres or higher in the DDO1
    2 LANGARD ROAD COWES 3922NOD issued by the Resp. Authority
  • Car parking requirement waiver in association with proposed place of assembly (Cowes Cultural & Community Centre)
    91-97 THOMPSON AVENUE COWES 3922Permit issued by a delegate of the RA

  • July 2021

  • Removal of a tree in the VPO2
    312 Settlement RoadPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Two Lot Subdivision in the GRZ
    51 WALTON STREET COWES 3922Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Use of land to sell and consume liquor associated with a food and drink premises
    CARPARK, 119-135 THOMPSON AVENUE COWES 3922Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Development of land for signage in the C1Z
    24-26 THOMPSON AVENUE COWES 3922Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Variation to a liquor license
    69 THOMPSON AVENUE COWES 3922Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Varying of a restriction on the building envelope
    35 JEURY COURT COWES 3922NOD issued by a delegate
  • Extension to a dwelling on common property with two of more dwellings on the lot in the GRZ
    1/1 DEVON AVENUE COWES 3922Refusal issued by a delegate
  • Development of land for 2 warehouses in the INZ3
    14 HARVEY DRIVE COWES 3922Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Removal of one tree in VPO
    28 RED ROCKS ROAD COWES 3922Permit issued by a delegate of the RA

  • June 2021

  • Extension to liquor licence
    8 THOMPSON AVENUE COWES 3922Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Construct twelve (12) double storey dwellings
    14-20 REDWOOD DRIVE COWES 3922Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Change of use to restricted recreation facility (yoga studio) - Amendment - change of hours
    2 Hollydene CourtPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Removal of one tree in the GRZ1 and VPO2
    64a Walton StreetPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Amendment to Plans Development of the land for three dwellings in the GRZ1
    124 CHURCH STREET COWES 3922Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Removal of one tree
    28 Red Rocks RoadPermit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Subdivision of land into two lots in the GRZ1 and creation of a restriction
    6 JAMES STREET COWES 3922NOD issued by a delegate

  • May 2021

  • Use of the land for an education centre and reduction in associated car parking requirements
    16 WARLEY AVENUE COWES 3922NOD issued by the Resp. Authority
  • Removal of trees in VPO2
    OFF/2-3 THE ESPLANADE COWES 3922Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Construction of two dwellings on a lot
    12 SANCTUARY DRIVE COWES 3922Permit issued by a delegate of the RA
  • Use and development of a storage facility
    16 SHORLAND WAY COWES 3922Permit issued by a delegate of the RA

Contributes to desirability score · Future Growth (7%)

Development and planning activity

Data sources & freshness

  • PPARS planning permit activity (statewide) — Department of Transport and Planning (Victoria) · Period: 2020–2022 · Updated on site · Public MapServer last updated Feb 2024 — applications through FY 2022–23 only; newer PPARS data requires council/API access

Amenities

12 nearby amenities within ~1.5 km

  • Bench
  • St Marys Church/Phillip Island RdBus stop
  • Ventnor Beach Rd/Gap RdBus stop
  • Walton St/Thompson AveBus stop
  • Cafe
  • Phillip Island CFA Fire StationFire station

    Ventnor Road, Cowes

  • Parking Space (2)
  • Picnic Table
  • St. Mary's Catholic ChurchPlace of worship

    6 Cowes-Rhyll Road

  • Bedrock Family RestaurantRestaurant

Names and addresses from OpenStreetMap. Unnamed venues show as their type (e.g. Cafe).

Contributes to desirability score · Lifestyle (15%)

Food, shopping, recreation and sport (OpenStreetMap)

Data sources & freshness

  • OpenStreetMap amenities — OpenStreetMap contributors · Period: current · Updated on site · Weekly refresh

Parks & reserves

6 parks and public open space in this suburb

  • Dunsmore ParkPark
  • Phillip Island Coast ReservePark
  • Seaberry Creek ParkPark
  • Seagrove ParkPark
  • Shearwater ReservePark
  • Willoughby ParkPark

Data sources & freshness

Health access

Hospitals & GP clinics
11
Emergency department
On site
  • Audikaaudiologist
  • Bass Coast Community HealthWarley Avenueyes
  • Coastal Health PodiatryThompson Avenuepodiatrist
  • Denture ClinicThompson Avenuedentist
  • Gippsland Physiotherapy Group CowesThompson Avenuephysiotherapist
  • HospitalWarley Avenuehospital
  • Phillip Island Family Dental CareThompson Avenuedentist
  • Phillip Island Medical Centredoctor
  • Priceline PharmacyThompson Avenuepharmacy
  • Supreme Dental Cowesdentist

Contributes to desirability score · Accessibility (15%)

Hospitals and GP clinics

Data sources & freshness

Socio-economic (SEIFA)

IRSAD decile (2021)
3/10
IRSD decile (2021)
3/10

SEIFA indexes from ABS 2021. Decile 10 = most advantaged / least disadvantaged in Australia.

Contributes to desirability score · Community (5%)

Socio-economic advantage (IRSAD decile)

Data sources & freshness

Childcare

1 childcare service from OpenStreetMap

  • Island Kids Early Learning CentreIndustrial Waychildcare

Contributes to desirability score · Education (15%)

Childcare centre count

Data sources & freshness

  • Childcare services — OpenStreetMap · Period: current · Updated on site

Hazards

Bushfire planning zone
Overlay applies

Bushfire overlay checked at suburb centroid via Victorian Bushfire Management Overlay mapping.

Contributes to desirability score · Safety (18%)

Bushfire hazard overlays

Data sources & freshness

  • Hazard planning overlays — State government hazard layers · Period: current · Updated on site

Green cover

Parks & woodland (OSM)
29
Parks (OSM)
14

OpenStreetMap parks and natural woodland features mapped within the suburb boundary.

Contributes to desirability score · Environment (10%)

Parks and green cover (OpenStreetMap)

Data sources & freshness

  • OpenStreetMap green cover features — OpenStreetMap contributors · Period: current · Updated on site · Weekly refresh

Desirability index

Desirability score
37.5/100
National rank
3721st in Australia
State rank
741st in VIC
Peer rank
#42 among Coastal & beach · Mature suburbs
Cohort rank
#80 among Coastal & beach suburbs
Data confidence
89%

Data sources & freshness

  • Suburb Guide desirability index — Suburb Guide (derived score) · Period: current · Updated on site · Derived from source metrics

Recent changes

  • B21 Criminal Damagecrime59
  • B43 Steal From A Retail Storecrime31
  • B49 Other Theftcrime33
  • B53 Obtain Benefit By Deceptioncrime41
  • E21 Breach Family Violence Ordercrime132
  • Island Kids Early Learning CentrechildcareIndustrial Waychildcare
  • Audikahealthaudiologist
  • Bass Coast Community HealthhealthWarley Avenueyes
  • Coastal Health PodiatryhealthThompson Avenuepodiatrist
  • Denture ClinichealthThompson Avenuedentist

Data sources & freshness

Similar suburbs

Suburbs with a similar population, SEIFA decile and location.