It lies 197 kilometres (122 mi) north of the state capital Melbourne and 567 kilometres (352 mi) south west of Canberra the capital city of Australia.

[2] Like many towns in this area of Victoria, it relies heavily on its dairy production, and farming.

A large dairy processing plant lies in the centre of the town.

Services in the town include a general convenience store, a pub, lawn bowls and tennis clubs.

"Black Jack McEwen", 18th Prime Minister of Australia, was a dairy farmer in Stanhope before entering politics.