Victoria location profile
Clarkes Hill VIC 3352
Clarkes Hill is a small rural locality of farms and lifestyle properties east of Ballarat, known for quiet country roads, open paddocks and views to nearby volcanic hills. Residents value its peaceful, close-knit feel while relying on Ballarat and Buninyong for most services and shopping.
Explore schools in Clarkes Hill
Compare local schools using the BestSchools list and interactive map.
Why families consider Clarkes Hill
Predominantly farming and small-acreage lifestyle households with a mix of long-term rural families and Ballarat/Melbourne commuters; relaxed country living, strong community ties, and low-density housing.
Amenities & services
- Central Square Ballarat (Ballarat CBD)
- Stockland Wendouree (Wendouree)
- Delacombe Town Centre (Delacombe)
- Grampians Health Ballarat – Ballarat Base Hospital (Ballarat)
- St John of God Ballarat Hospital (Ballarat)
- Buninyong Medical Centre (Buninyong)
- Crown Hotel Buninyong (Buninyong)
- Gordon Hotel (Gordon)
- Wallace Hotel (Wallace)
- Ballarat Library – Doveton St N, Ballarat Central
- Buninyong Library Agency – Learmonth St, Buninyong
- Sebastopol Library – Albert St, Sebastopol
Transport & connectivity
- Ballarat Station (V/Line Ballarat/Melbourne line)
- Wendouree Station (V/Line)
- Ballan Station (V/Line)
- PTV bus 21 Ballarat–Buninyong (services nearby Buninyong; limited reach to Clarkes Hill)
- Regional coach services along the Western Freeway corridor (limited)
- Western Freeway (M8), Old Melbourne Road, Clarkes Hill Road, Dunnstown–Yendon Road
Lifestyle & recreation
- Mount Buninyong walking trails and lookout
- Mount Warrenheip trails
- Bungaree Recreation Reserve (football/netball/cricket)
- Dunnstown Recreation Reserve
- Kryal Castle (family entertainment, events)
- Ballarat Wildlife Park (nearby Canadian)
- Mount Buninyong Scenic Reserve
- Mount Warrenheip Flora Reserve
- Woowookarung Regional Park
- Lal Lal State Forest
- Wombat State Forest (western edge near Gordon)
Education context
No centres within Clarkes Hill; nearest long day care and kinders in Buninyong, Mount Clear/Canadian, Ballarat East and Gordon, with moderate demand and some waitlists for infant rooms.
- Federation University Australia – Mount Helen Campus (Mount Helen)
- Federation University Australia – SMB Campus (Lydiard St S, Ballarat CBD)
- Federation University Arts Academy – Camp Street (Ballarat CBD)