Forbes

Forbes sits along the Lachlan River in Central West New South Wales and features organized streets lined with public buildings, parks, and a business district showing Victorian design from the 1800s. The town spreads at 243 meters elevation with well-maintained tree-lined avenues and heritage facades.

A gold discovery by Harry Stephan in 1861 brought roughly 30,000 people to the area and transformed the earlier Camp Hill settlement into a permanent town. This event made Forbes a major center in the region and shaped its growth for generations.

The McFeeters Motor Museum presents a collection of vintage vehicles, while the Sculpture Down the Lachlan trail displays installations across the region.

The Newell Highway and Stockinbingal-Parkes railway line connect the town to major transport networks, making it a convenient stop for travelers in the region. Visitors find the standard services and lodging of a regional center here.

The town's cemetery holds the graves of Ben Hall, a notorious bushranger, and Kate Kelly, sister of the legendary Ned Kelly. These two burials tell quiet stories from a turbulent era in Australian history.

Location: New South Wales

Location: Forbes Shire

Location: Forbes

Elevation above the sea: 243 m

Shares border with: Bogan Gate, Gunningbland, Nelungaloo, Bedgerabong, Gunning Gap, Ooma, Mulyandry, Daroobalgie, Tichborne, Paytens Bridge, Garema, Eugowra, Jemalong, Wirrinya

GPS coordinates: -33.38333,148.01667

Latest update: December 13, 2025 14:58