🔍

Orion

QLD 4722 • Queensland

87
Population (2021)
N/A
Median Personal Income
766.81 km²
Area
N/A
Median Rent
RuralRemoteOutbackAgricultural
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About Orion

Orion is a vast, sparsely populated rural locality in the Central Highlands Region of Queensland, covering approximately 767 square kilometres of outback cattle and grain country. Located roughly 80 kilometres south-west of Emerald and administered by the Central Highlands Regional Council, Orion had a population of just 87 people at the 2021 Census. The Dawson Highway traverses the south-western edge of the locality, while the Comet River forms much of the south-eastern boundary, shaping a landscape that transitions from open plains to rocky mountain ranges rising above 600 metres.

Land use in Orion is dominated by extensive cattle grazing on native vegetation, with some grain cropping in the northern and southern parts of the locality. The nearest significant town is Emerald, the commercial hub of the Central Highlands, which provides a full range of services including supermarkets, schools, a hospital, and the Emerald Airport. Orion offers a quintessential remote Queensland lifestyle with vast open spaces, clear skies, and the solitude valued by graziers and station workers who call this stretch of the Central Highlands home.

Orion falls under postcode 4722 and is governed by the Central Highlands Council (Local Government Area). For federal elections, residents vote in the electorate of Flynn, while state elections fall under the Gregory electorate.

📍 Location

State
Queensland
Postcode
4722
Urban Area
N/A
LGA / Council
Central Highlands
Federal Electorate
Flynn
State Electorate
Gregory
Type
Locality
Timezone
Brisbane (UTC+10)
Coordinates
-24.21°, 148.39°
Statistical Area
N/A
Area
766.81 km²
Population Density
0 /km²
Elevation
0m

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💰 Income

ATO taxable income Postcode 4722

Median taxable income for individual taxpayers in postcode 4722 for the 2023–24 financial year (2019–20 data not published for this postcode).

Median 2019–20
N/A
Median 2023–24
$60,866
Average taxable income (2023–24)
$74,408

Source: ATO Taxation Statistics 2023–24, Individuals Table 8 (median & average taxable income by postcode). Covers all individuals who lodged a return in postcode 4722; postcodes with fewer than 200 lodgments are suppressed by the ATO.

🚌 Transport & Commute

Bus Services

  • No regular bus service — N/A N/A

Commute to Brisbane CBD

Distance
750 km
By Train
No direct train service; Spirit of the Outback stops at Emerald (~80 km away)
By Car (Peak)
Approx. 8 hr
By Car (Off-Peak)
Approx. 7 hr 30 min

🛣️ Access via Dawson Highway to Emerald, then Capricorn Highway to Rockhampton and Bruce Highway south; very remote locality

Walkability Almost All Errands Require a Car

Orion is a remote grazing locality with no town centre, shops, or footpaths; a vehicle is essential for all daily activities

🛒 Supermarkets Nearby

No major supermarkets listed for this suburb.

🎓 Schools

👥 Demographics

Census 2016
0
Census 2021
87
▲ 0% growth

Population Growth

Gender Distribution (Census 2021)

📊 Population: ABS Census 2021

🚔 Crime Statistics LGA-wide

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

Break & enter (dwelling)
841.5 / 100k
2yr Up 79.3% 10yr Up 85.7%
Motor vehicle theft
309.7 / 100k
2yr Up 12.1% 10yr Up 169.2%
Non-FV assault
1,373.4 / 100k
2yr Stable 10yr Up 210.3%
Robbery (unarmed)
6.7 / 100k
2yr Down 51.2% 10yr Up 93.1%
Steal from vehicle
356.8 / 100k
2yr Up 43.6% 10yr Down 39.1%
View all offence categories for Central Highlands →

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

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is Orion known for? +

Orion is known as a remote grazing locality in Queensland's Central Highlands, characterised by extensive cattle stations, open plains, and the rugged western ranges. The Comet River forms part of its south-eastern boundary and the Dawson Highway passes through the locality.

How far is Orion from Emerald? +

Orion is approximately 80 kilometres south-west of Emerald, the nearest service town, which is around a one-hour drive via the Dawson Highway.

Does Orion have public transport? +

Orion has no regular public transport or bus services. The nearest passenger rail stop is Emerald, approximately 80 kilometres away, served by Queensland Rail's Spirit of the Outback. A car or 4WD is essential for accessing and living in the locality.

What is the population of Orion? +

According to the 2021 Census, Orion has a population of 87 people across a land area of approximately 767 square kilometres, reflecting the dispersed nature of outback station life.

Is Orion a good place to live? +

Orion suits those who prefer the solitude and wide-open spaces of remote Queensland. It is best suited to graziers, station workers, and those seeking a genuinely rural lifestyle far from urban amenities.

What is the postcode for Orion? +

The postcode for Orion, Queensland is 4722.

Is Orion a safe area? +

Crime statistics are recorded at the Local Government Area level. Orion is part of the Central Highlands 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.