Orbost
Suburb profile, market snapshot and recent listings for Orbost, VIC 3888.
About Orbost
Welcome to Orbost
Orbost sits in East Gippsland, roughly 370 kilometres east of Melbourne, on the banks of the Snowy River. It's the last major town before the Princes Highway climbs towards Cann River and the New South Wales border, and it has long served as a service centre for the surrounding farming, forestry and fishing communities.
With a population of 2,264 and a median age of 53, Orbost has the feel of a settled country town rather than a growth suburb. It suits people after a slower pace, more land for their money, and easy access to rivers, forests and the coast at Marlo, rather than those chasing city convenience.
Lifestyle & dining
Life in Orbost revolves around the Snowy River and the surrounding countryside, with fishing, canoeing and bushwalking all on the doorstep. The town centre carries a handful of pubs, cafes and takeaways that service locals and the steady trickle of travellers heading along the Princes Highway towards Cann River and Lakes Entrance in the other direction.
It's an unpretentious place, where the main street still functions as a genuine community hub rather than a strip aimed at visitors. Those wanting a bigger night out or a wider dining scene tend to make the trip to Lakes Entrance or Bairnsdale, but for day-to-day life Orbost covers the basics comfortably.
Getting around
The Princes Highway runs straight through Orbost, making it the natural base for anyone working across East Gippsland's timber, agriculture or road transport industries. Bairnsdale, the region's larger commercial centre, is a reasonably long drive west, while the small neighbouring locality of Jarrahmond sits just outside town along the Snowy River.
There's no passenger rail this far east, so a car is essential for commuting, school runs and stocking up on anything not available locally. Coach services along the highway link Orbost to larger centres for those without their own transport.
Schools & families
Orbost Community College is the anchor school for local families, catering to students through their schooling years within the town itself, which is a real drawcard for families who want to avoid long daily commutes. It's a genuine community school in a genuine community town, with strong ties to local sport and agricultural life.
With a median age of 53, Orbost's population skews older than many Victorian suburbs, but the town still supports the services and school infrastructure families need, and the acreage-style blocks common in the area suit those wanting space for kids, animals or hobby farming.
Housing & architecture
Housing in Orbost is dominated by standalone houses, which make up 78% of current listings, with land sales accounting for 20% and acreage or rural properties a further 2%. Expect a mix of older weatherboard and brick-veneer homes on generous blocks, along with rural properties on the town's fringes that back onto farmland or bushland.
This is a market built around space and practicality rather than architectural statement-making, with plenty of scope for renovators and those wanting a rural lifestyle without leaving town services behind.
The property market
Orbost's median house price currently sits at $344,000, making it one of the more affordable options in East Gippsland, particularly for buyers wanting a house on a full block rather than a unit or townhouse. Median rent is $400 a week, reflecting the town's status as a modest, working regional centre rather than a tightly held rental market.
Recent figures show house prices have pulled back by 9.5%, a reminder that smaller regional markets like Orbost can move in cycles quite different from metropolitan Melbourne. For buyers comfortable with that volatility, the current pricing offers an entry point into a river and forest lifestyle at a fraction of city costs, while investors should weigh the modest rent return against the town's ageing population and gradual pace of change.
Market snapshot
Orbost property market
Median sale price
$344k
House · 3 bed
Median rent
$400
per week
Gross rental yield
6.1%
annual rent ÷ sale price
Typical price range
Entry
$249k
Median
$344k
Premium
$522k
Days on market
127
Auction clearance
0%
Sold this year
39
Median sold price trend · House 3 bed
Compound growth +4.8% / yr over 4 yrs
Property types on market
Share of current listings in Orbost by dwelling type.
Who lives here
Demographics
ABS Census 2021 figures for Orbost, VIC 3888.
Population
2,264
residents (2021)
Median age
53
years
Household income
$785
median, per week
Median rent
$190
per week
Median mortgage
$867
per month
Mortgage / income
25%
comfortable
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics, Census of Population and Housing 2021. Suburb-level (SAL) aggregates.
Education
Schools in Orbost
Government school catchment
Recent results
Recently sold in Orbost
$410k
38 David Street
Sold ~July 2026
$510k
12 Salisbury Street
Sold ~July 2026
$430k
71 Scott Street
Sold ~July 2026
$339k
101 Livingstone Street
Sold ~July 2026
$140k
16 B Road
Sold ~July 2026
$312k
11 Wilson Street
Sold ~July 2026
$495k
122 Stanley Street
Sold ~July 2026
$328k
97 REED STREET
Sold ~June 2026
Sold prices as published on the original listing; some may reflect the last advertised price. Dates are approximate.
Explore the area
Properties & amenities in Orbost
Compare the area
Price map around Orbost
Every listing for sale near Orbost, coloured by price — so you can see how it stacks up against the streets and suburbs next door.
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Common questions
Orbost suburb FAQ
What is the median property price in Orbost?
The median house price in Orbost, VIC is $344k for a 3-bedroom home. Over the past year, median sold prices have fallen about 9.5%.
How much is rent in Orbost?
The median weekly rent in Orbost is around $400 per week.
Is Orbost a good place to live?
Orbost is an established residential suburb in VIC, with a population of around 2,264 and 1 school in the area.
What is the population of Orbost?
Orbost has a population of 2,264 (ABS 2021 Census), with a median age of 53.
What schools are in Orbost?
There is 1 school in or near Orbost, including Orbost Community College.
How long do homes take to sell in Orbost?
Properties in Orbost take around 127 days to sell on average, with an auction clearance rate of about 0%.
How much do you need to buy in Orbost?
Entry-level properties in Orbost start around $249k, while premium homes reach $522k.
What suburbs are near Orbost?
Suburbs near Orbost include Jarrahmond.
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