🔍

Olympic Dam

SA 5725 • South Australia

308
Population (2021)
N/A
Median Personal Income
284.53 km²
Area
N/A
Median Rent
Mining TownRuralRetirees
Advertisement

About Olympic Dam

Olympic Dam is a remote mining locality in outback South Australia, situated approximately 570 kilometres north of Adelaide in the Roxby Downs area. With a small resident population of around 308 people, it exists primarily to support the world-famous Olympic Dam mine — one of the largest known deposits of copper and uranium on Earth, operated by BHP. The locality covers a vast 284 km² in the arid Gawler Craton region, at an elevation just above sea level despite its inland position.

Life at Olympic Dam revolves around the mining operation, which produces copper, uranium, gold, and silver on a massive industrial scale. Workers and their families are largely supported by the nearby purpose-built township of Roxby Downs, which provides housing, schools, retail, and community facilities. The remote location means residents enjoy extremely high wages but trade urban conveniences for a close-knit, fly-in fly-out (FIFO) or residential mining lifestyle. The surrounding outback landscape offers unique character, with the region drawing interest from geologists and mining professionals from around the world.

Olympic Dam falls under postcode 5725 and lies within an unincorporated area with no local council. For federal elections, residents vote in the electorate of Grey, while state elections fall under the Giles electorate.

📍 Location

State
South Australia
Postcode
5725
Urban Area
N/A
LGA / Council
Unincorporated
Federal Electorate
Grey
State Electorate
Giles
Type
Locality
Timezone
Adelaide (UTC+9:30)
Coordinates
-30.43°, 136.75°
Statistical Area
N/A
Area
284.53 km²
Population Density
1 /km²
Elevation
0m

📣 Ad

💰 Income

ATO taxable income Postcode 5725

Median taxable income for individual taxpayers in postcode 5725, comparing the 2019–20 and 2023–24 financial years.

Median 2019–20
$96,128
Median 2023–24
$106,172
▲ 10.4% increase
Average taxable income (2023–24)
$111,188

Source: ATO Taxation Statistics 2023–24, Individuals Table 8 (median & average taxable income by postcode). Covers all individuals who lodged a return in postcode 5725; postcodes with fewer than 200 lodgments are suppressed by the ATO.

🚌 Transport & Commute

Bus Services

  • Charter / shuttle — Roxby Downs / Port Augusta Varies

Commute to Adelaide CBD

Distance
570 km
By Train
No direct train service
By Car (Peak)
~5.5 hours
By Car (Off-Peak)
~5.5 hours

🛣️ Most workers fly in/out via charter flights or drive via Stuart Highway

Walkability Car Dependent

Remote mining locality; vehicle essential for all daily needs

🛒 Supermarkets Nearby

No major supermarkets listed for this suburb.

🎓 Schools

👥 Demographics

Census 2016
0
Census 2021
308
▲ 0% growth

Population Growth

Gender Distribution (Census 2021)

📊 Population: ABS Census 2021

📣 Ad

Nearby Suburbs

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Olympic Dam known for? +

Olympic Dam is home to one of the world's most significant polymetallic ore deposits, producing copper, uranium, gold, and silver. The mine is operated by BHP and is located in remote outback South Australia.

How far is Olympic Dam from Adelaide? +

Olympic Dam is approximately 570 kilometres north of Adelaide, about a 5.5-hour drive via the Stuart Highway.

Who lives at Olympic Dam? +

The small resident population at Olympic Dam consists mostly of mine workers and support staff. The nearby town of Roxby Downs provides full residential services for the broader mining community.

Is Olympic Dam a FIFO community? +

Many workers at Olympic Dam are on FIFO (fly-in fly-out) rosters, with charter flights operating between the site and major cities. Some workers and families reside permanently in Roxby Downs.

What is the population of Olympic Dam? +

Olympic Dam had a population of 308 at the 2021 Census.