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Orbost

VIC 3888 • Rest of VIC

2,264
Population (2021)
$40,820
Median Household Income
208.62 km²
Area
$190/wk
Median Rent
RuralAffordableNature & OutdoorsRetirement-FriendlyHistoric

About Orbost

Orbost is a rural town in the Shire of East Gippsland, Victoria, situated 375 kilometres east of Melbourne where the Princes Highway crosses the Snowy River. With a population of around 2,264, the town serves as a service centre for the surrounding farming and forestry communities. The median age of 53 reflects a mature demographic, and incomes sit below metropolitan averages with a median personal weekly income of $489.

Orbost offers a relaxed country lifestyle with access to the Snowy River National Park, nearby coastal town of Marlo (16 km away), and the broader East Gippsland wilderness. The town has local shops, schools, sporting facilities, and a hospital. It appeals to retirees, nature enthusiasts, and those seeking an affordable rural lifestyle away from the city. The surrounding region is known for farming, timber, and eco-tourism.

Orbost falls under postcode 3888 and is governed by East Gippsland Council (LGA). For state elections, residents vote in the Gippsland East (Eastern Victoria) electorate.

📰 Featured In

📰 Victoria Suburbs with the Most Housing Commission

📍 Location

State
Victoria
Postcode
3888
Urban Area
East Gippsland
LGA / Council
East Gippsland
Federal Electorate
Gippsland
State Electorate
Gippsland East (Eastern Victoria)
Type
Urban
Timezone
Melbourne (UTC+10)
Coordinates
-37.66°, 148.51°
Statistical Area
Rest of VIC
Area
208.62 km²
Elevation
139m

🏷️ Property Prices June quarter 2025

Median sale prices in Orbost for the June quarter 2025. Median sale prices published by the Valuer-General Victoria.

🏡House
$360K
15 sales · ▲ 29.3% YoY

Source: Valuer-General Victoria — Victorian Property Sales Report. Medians are for the latest quarter; the change shown is the official 12-month movement. Suburbs with very few sales in a quarter can be volatile.

🏠 Housing 2021 Census

Median Rent (weekly)
$190
Median Mortgage (monthly)
$867
Avg Household Size
2.1 people
Median Age
53 years
Social Housing (% of dwellings)
5.7%

46 state housing + 9 community housing dwellings (ABS 2021 Census)

🚌 Transport & Commute

Bus Services

  • V/Line Coach — Bairnsdale (connecting to Melbourne train) ~1h 15min
  • V/Line Coach — Lakes Entrance ~45min

Commute to Melbourne

Distance
375 km
By Train
N/A (no rail service)
By Bus
~6h (V/Line coach + train via Bairnsdale)
By Car (Peak)
~4h 30min
By Car (Off-Peak)
~4h 15min

🛣️ Remote location; Bairnsdale (93km west) is the nearest major town with rail. Regional centre is Bairnsdale or Sale.

Walkability Car-Dependent

Small town centre is walkable for daily errands, but most residents rely on cars for broader services and commuting.

🛒 Supermarkets Nearby

No major supermarkets listed for this suburb.

🎓 Schools

🚔 Crime Statistics LGA-wide

These are the latest rates for the East Gippsland Local Government Area, which contains Orbost. Rates are per 100,000 residents for the year ending September 2025; trends compare 2 and 10 year periods.

Break & enter (dwelling)
295.4 / 100k
2yr Up 17.1% 10yr Down 31.6%
Motor vehicle theft
146.7 / 100k
2yr Stable 10yr Up 147.7%
Non-FV assault
462.2 / 100k
2yr Up 10.3% 10yr Up 26.2%
Robbery (unarmed)
0 / 100k
2yr Down 100.0% 10yr —
Steal from vehicle
379.8 / 100k
2yr Stable 10yr Down 37.0%
View all offence subgroups for East Gippsland →

Source: Crime Statistics Agency Victoria

🎓 Educational Institution Attending 2021 Census

School Sector Breakdown

👥 Demographics

Census 2016
2,227
Census 2021
2,264
▲ 1.7% growth

Population Growth

Gender Distribution (Census 2021)

Personal Income 2016
$23,088
Personal Income 2021
$25,428
▲ 10.1% increase

2021 Census income breakdown

Personal = median for one earner. Household = all members of a dwelling pooled. Family = related members only. Annual = weekly × 52.

Personal
$25,428 / yr
$489/wk
Household
$40,820 / yr
$785/wk
Family
$58,708 / yr
$1129/wk

Personal Income Comparison (2016 vs 2021)

📊 Population: ABS Census 2021
💰 Income: ABS Census 2021

🌍 Country of Birth 2021 Census

Born in Australia 1,774
Born Overseas 199

Top Countries of Birth (excl. Australia)

  • 1. England 61
  • 2. Philippines 16
  • 3. New Zealand 13
  • 4. Germany 11
  • 5. Italy 10
  • 6. Netherlands 10
  • 7. South Africa 9
  • 8. Thailand 7
  • 9. United States 7
  • 10. Scotland 5

🧬 Ancestry 2021 Census

Top ancestries reported (people may report up to two)

English 918
Australian 885
Scottish 228
Irish 207
Australian Aboriginal 137
German 90
Italian 81
Dutch 41
Chinese 19
Filipino 13

👨‍👩‍👧 Parents' Birthplace 2021 Census

1,542
Both parents born in Australia
267
Both parents born overseas
178
One parent AU, one overseas

🛐 Religion 2021 Census

No Religion
49.5%
Christianity
36.7%
Buddhism
0.7%
Hinduism
0.3%

📊 Age Distribution 2021 Census

0-4 years
101 (4.5%)
5-14 years
256 (11.3%)
15-19 years
99 (4.4%)
20-24 years
79 (3.5%)
25-34 years
193 (8.5%)
35-44 years
181 (8.0%)
45-54 years
256 (11.3%)
55-64 years
374 (16.5%)
65-74 years
367 (16.2%)
75-84 years
257 (11.4%)
85+ years
94 (4.2%)

Nearby Suburbs

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Orbost known for? +

Orbost is known as the service centre of far eastern Gippsland, situated on the Snowy River and close to spectacular national parks including Snowy River and Errinundra National Parks. The town has a strong logging and agricultural history.

How far is Orbost from Melbourne? +

Orbost is approximately 375 kilometres east of Melbourne, around a 4.5-5 hour drive via the Princes Highway through Gippsland.

Does Orbost have public transport? +

Orbost is served by V/Line coach services connecting to Bairnsdale, where train services to Melbourne Southern Cross are available. The total journey to Melbourne by public transport is approximately 5-6 hours.

What is the population of Orbost? +

According to the 2021 Census, Orbost has a population of approximately 2,264 residents, with a stable community reflecting its role as a service centre for the broader East Gippsland region.

Is Orbost a good place to live? +

Orbost offers a rewarding lifestyle for those who value natural beauty, with Snowy River, Errinundra Plateau, and the Gippsland coast nearby. It suits those working in local industries or forestry, or retirees seeking remote Gippsland living.

What is the postcode for Orbost? +

The postcode for Orbost is 3888.

What is the average income in Orbost? +

Based on the 2021 Census, the median personal income in Orbost is about $489 per week (around $25,400 per year). The median household income is $785 per week and the median family income is $1,129 per week.

What is the median house price in Orbost? +

As of June quarter 2025, the median house price is $360,000, up 29.3% year-on-year. Figures are based on Valuer-General Victoria — Victorian Property Sales Report.

What is the age profile of Orbost? +

The median age in Orbost is 53. The largest age group is 55–64 (374 residents, around 17%). Around 20% of residents are under 20 and about 32% are aged 65 or older. (2021 Census)

Is Orbost a safe area? +

Crime statistics are recorded at the Local Government Area level. Orbost is part of the East Gippsland 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.

How much is rent in Orbost? +

In Orbost, the median weekly rent is $190, and the median monthly mortgage repayment is $867 (2021 Census).