Orford
Suburb profile, market snapshot and recent listings for Orford, TAS 7190.
About Orford
Welcome to Orford
Orford sits on Tasmania's east coast at the mouth of the Prosser River, about an hour's drive from Hobart along the Tasman Highway. It's the kind of place people find on their way to Maria Island or the Tasman Peninsula and then quietly start planning to move to — a small coastal settlement with a long, sandy beach, a river for fishing and kayaking, and none of the built-up feel of the bigger east coast towns further north.
With a population of just 685 and a median age of 62, Orford is very much a sea-change and retirement destination, though its proximity to Hobart also makes it workable for those happy to commute. It suits people after space, quiet and a genuine coastal lifestyle over convenience and nightlife, with the tiny neighbouring settlement of Spring Beach just around the headland adding a further stretch of low-key waterfront living.
Lifestyle & dining
Life in Orford revolves around the water. The main beach is a popular swimming and surfing spot, the Prosser River estuary is well used by anglers and paddlers, and the boat ramp gives easy access out to Maria Island, visible just offshore and a drawcard for day-trippers and wildlife enthusiasts alike. It's a low-key existence rather than a dining-out one — locals tend to rely on a handful of local cafes and takeaways, plus the general store, with more extensive shopping and eating out saved for trips into Sorell or Hobart.
Getting around
The Tasman Highway runs straight through Orford, making it a relatively simple drive to Hobart, roughly an hour south-west, and to Triabunna and the east coast towns further north. There's no rail network on this side of the state, so a car is essential for commuting, school runs and stocking up on supplies, though a regional bus service links Orford to Sorell and Hobart for those without one. Spring Beach, just over the headland, is a short drive or a scenic walk away.
Schools & families
Orford Primary School serves the local area and is the natural hub for families with younger children, giving the town a genuine sense of community despite its small size. Secondary students typically travel to larger centres such as Sorell or Hobart, which is a factor worth weighing up for families considering a permanent move rather than a holiday base.
Parks & recreation
Beyond the beach and river, Orford's setting does most of the work: bushwalking tracks nearby, the Prosser River for boating and fishing, and Maria Island National Park a short ferry trip away for those wanting a proper day of hiking and wildlife spotting. It's an outdoors-oriented lifestyle, built around tides, weather and the seasons rather than programmed activities.
The property market
Orford's housing market reflects its small, tightly held nature. The median house price currently sits at $747,000, having grown by 16.8% recently, a sign of steady demand for coastal property in this part of Tasmania. Current listings are dominated by established houses (59%), with a notable 38% share of vacant land, suggesting there's still room for buyers wanting to build to their own design, while apartments and units make up a minor 3% of stock, underlining that this is overwhelmingly a house-and-land market rather than a medium-density one.
Who it suits
Given the median age of 62 and the population size, Orford leans heavily towards retirees, downsizers and holiday-home buyers rather than young families or first-home buyers chasing rental yield. Anyone drawn to a genuine coastal community, with Spring Beach as a quiet extension of the same lifestyle, and who doesn't mind trading big-town amenities for beach access and river views, will find Orford worth a serious look.
Market snapshot
Orford property market
Median sale price
$747k
House · 3 bed
Median rent
—
per week
Gross rental yield
—
annual rent ÷ sale price
Typical price range
Entry
$599k
Median
$747k
Premium
$1.86m
Days on market
103
Auction clearance
0%
Sold this year
13
Median sold price trend · House 3 bed
Compound growth -1.4% / yr over 4 yrs
Property types on market
Share of current listings in Orford by dwelling type.
Who lives here
Demographics
ABS Census 2021 figures for Orford, TAS 7190.
Population
685
residents (2021)
Median age
62
years
Household income
$1,110
median, per week
Median rent
$250
per week
Median mortgage
$1,517
per month
Mortgage / income
32%
stretched (>30%)
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics, Census of Population and Housing 2021. Suburb-level (SAL) aggregates.
Education
Schools in Orford
Government school catchment
Recent results
Recently sold in Orford
$750k
13 Jetty Road
Sold ~July 2026
$520k
53 Charles Street
Sold ~July 2026
$2.30m
46B Tasman Highway
Sold ~July 2026
$835k
3 Walters Drive
Sold ~June 2026
$695k
10 Alma Road
Sold ~June 2026
$575k
19 Tasman Highway
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 Orford
Compare the area
Price map around Orford
Every listing for sale near Orford, coloured by price — so you can see how it stacks up against the streets and suburbs next door.
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Common questions
Orford suburb FAQ
What is the median property price in Orford?
The median house price in Orford, TAS is $747k for a 3-bedroom home. Over the past year, median sold prices have risen about 16.8%.
Is Orford a good place to live?
Orford is a seaside village located on the east coast of Tasmania, Australia, approximately 73 kilometres (45 mi) north-east of the state-capital of Hobart. Orford is an established residential suburb in TAS, with a population of around 685 and 1 school in the area.
What is the population of Orford?
Orford has a population of 685 (ABS 2021 Census), with a median age of 62.
What schools are in Orford?
There is 1 school in or near Orford, including Orford Primary School.
How long do homes take to sell in Orford?
Properties in Orford take around 103 days to sell on average, with an auction clearance rate of about 0%.
How much do you need to buy in Orford?
Entry-level properties in Orford start around $599k, while premium homes reach $1.86m.
What suburbs are near Orford?
Suburbs near Orford include Spring Beach.
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