🔍

Dutton River

QLD 4821 • Queensland

66
Population (2021)
N/A
Median Personal Income
5120.10 km²
Area
N/A
Median Rent
RemoteOutbackAgriculturalRural
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About Dutton River

Dutton River is a vast and remote outback locality in north-west Queensland, located within the Flinders Shire and situated between the regional centres of Hughenden (to the south-east) and Richmond (to the south-west). The locality is exceptionally large at approximately 5,120 square kilometres — reflecting its true outback character as a massive pastoral station district — and had a 2021 census population of 66 residents. The Flinders River, one of Queensland's great inland rivers, flows through the locality from south-east to south-west before draining into the Gulf of Carpentaria. The landscape is characterised by Mitchell grass plains, channel country, and seasonally flooding floodplains that support extensive cattle grazing.

Dutton River has no schools, shops, or local services, and the locality's few residents — primarily station workers and pastoralists — rely on distance education and boarding schools for children, and travel to Richmond or Hughenden for supplies and medical care. The Flinders Highway connects the district to the regional centres, but services are many kilometres away across open outback roads. The broader Flinders Shire is part of Queensland's famous Channel Country, a region celebrated for its outback heritage, the Overlanders Way road trip route, and the annual Richmond Fossil Country Festival. Dutton River is genuinely remote, suiting only those fully committed to the outback pastoral lifestyle of north-west Queensland.

Dutton River falls under postcode 4821 and is governed by the Flinders Council (Local Government Area). For federal elections, residents vote in the electorate of Kennedy, while state elections fall under the Traeger electorate.

📍 Location

State
Queensland
Postcode
4821
Urban Area
N/A
LGA / Council
Flinders
Federal Electorate
Kennedy
State Electorate
Traeger
Type
Locality
Timezone
Brisbane (UTC+10)
Coordinates
-20.79°, 144.22°
Statistical Area
N/A
Area
5120.10 km²
Population Density
0 /km²
Elevation
0m

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💰 Income

ATO taxable income Postcode 4821

Median taxable income for individual taxpayers in postcode 4821, comparing the 2019–20 and 2023–24 financial years.

Median 2019–20
$47,871
Median 2023–24
$58,576
▲ 22.4% increase
Average taxable income (2023–24)
$62,556

Source: ATO Taxation Statistics 2023–24, Individuals Table 8 (median & average taxable income by postcode). Covers all individuals who lodged a return in postcode 4821; postcodes with fewer than 200 lodgments are suppressed by the ATO.

🚌 Transport & Commute

Bus Services

  • No regular bus service — Car or light aircraft required for all travel N/A

Commute to Brisbane CBD

Distance
1200 km
By Train
No direct service; nearest regional airport at Richmond or Hughenden (both approx 100+ km)
By Car (Peak)
13 hr - 14 hr
By Car (Off-Peak)
13 hr

🛣️ Flinders Highway is the main link; Townsville (approx 400 km east) is the nearest major city

Walkability Almost All Errands Require a Car

Dutton River is one of Queensland's most remote localities; all travel requires a private vehicle across long distances of outback road.

🛒 Supermarkets Nearby

No major supermarkets listed for this suburb.

🎓 Schools

👥 Demographics

Census 2016
0
Census 2021
66
▲ 0% growth

Population Growth

Gender Distribution (Census 2021)

📊 Population: ABS Census 2021

🚔 Crime Statistics LGA-wide

These are the latest rates for the Flinders Local Government Area, which contains Dutton River. Rates are per 100,000 residents for calendar year 2025; trends compare 2 and 10 year periods.

Break & enter (dwelling)
1,153.1 / 100k
2yr Down 11.0% 10yr Up 14.0%
Motor vehicle theft
192.2 / 100k
2yr Down 40.7% 10yr Up 52.0%
Non-FV assault
1,217.1 / 100k
2yr Down 46.3% 10yr Up 92.5%
Robbery (unarmed)
0 / 100k
2yr — 10yr —
Steal from vehicle
128.1 / 100k
2yr Down 82.0% 10yr Down 66.2%
View all offence categories for Flinders →

Source: Queensland Police Service via data.qld.gov.au

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Nearby Suburbs

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Dutton River known for? +

Dutton River is known for its vast Mitchell grass plains and channel country character in outback north-west Queensland, with the Flinders River traversing its enormous pastoral area. The locality epitomises the great Queensland outback, supporting extensive cattle stations across more than 5,000 square kilometres of open country.

How far is Dutton River from Brisbane? +

Dutton River is approximately 1,200 kilometres north-west of Brisbane, roughly a 13-hour drive via the Flinders Highway. Townsville, the nearest major city, is approximately 400 kilometres to the east.

Does Dutton River have public transport? +

Dutton River has no public transport services of any kind. A private vehicle is essential for all travel, with Richmond and Hughenden being the nearest towns with services, both over 100 kilometres away across outback roads.

What is the population of Dutton River? +

According to the 2021 Census, Dutton River had a population of 66 residents spread across its enormous 5,120 square kilometre area — making it one of the most sparsely populated localities in Queensland.

Is Dutton River a good place to live? +

Dutton River is suited only to committed outback pastoralists and station workers who embrace the isolation and vast open spaces of north-west Queensland. Children typically access education via distance education or boarding schools, and all supplies must be sourced from distant towns.

What is the postcode for Dutton River? +

The postcode for Dutton River, Queensland is 4821.

Is Dutton River a safe area? +

Crime statistics are recorded at the Local Government Area level. Dutton River is part of the Flinders LGA — see the Crime Statistics section on this page for the latest recorded offence rates per 100,000 residents, along with 2-year and 10-year trends.