Forbes
Town
Population 6954
When John Oxley passed through in 1817, he was so unimpressed by the area's clay soil, poor timber and swamps that he claimed 'it is impossible to imagine a worse country'. Today Forbes is a pleasant spot bisected by Lake Forbes, a large lagoon in the middle of town. It was the discovery of gold that caused the town to be built and the legends of old bushrangers that keep it buzzing today.
Visitor Information
Railway station, Union St; (02) 6852 4155
Nearby national parks
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Blue Mountains National Park
Blue Mountains National Park presents an astounding and unique landscape to its millions of visitors. The terrain ripples and folds, a world...more -
Kanangra–Boyd National Park
Kanangra–Boyd National Park’s majestic landscape of wild rivers and waterfalls, mountainous terrain and deep gorges is rimmed...more -
Wollemi National Park
Wollemi National Park, the second largest national park in the state and its largest wilderness area, is a primeval landscape of precipitous...more
Nearby towns
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Parkes
Parkes is most famous for its huge telescope. It originated as a tent city, which grew into a town named Bushmans, built almost overnight...more -
Eugowra
Situated on the rich basin of the Lachlan River, Eugowra is a tiny country town known for its crafts. Nearby on the Orange–Forbes road,...more -
Grenfell
Nestled at the foot of the Weddin Mountains, Grenfell is best known as the birthplace of writer Henry Lawson. The wealth appropriated...more
In Town
Albion Hotel The first hotel in Forbes, the Albion Hotel was so popular during the gold rush that it allegedly sold more alcohol in the 1860s than any hotel in Australia – not bad for an outback town. The hotel is a former Cobb & Co depot and now houses displays on the history of the gold strikes and the must-see Bushranger Hall of Fame. Lachlan St.Historical Museum: features relics associated with bushranger Ben Hall, a vintage colonial kitchen and antique farm machinery; open 2–4pm; Cross St; (02) 6851 6600. Cemetery: graves of Ben Hall, Kate Foster (Ned Kelly's sister), Rebecca Shields (Captain Cook's niece) and French author Paul Wenz; Bogan Gate Rd. King George V Park: memorial where 'German Harry' discovered gold in 1861, and a pleasant spot for picnics and barbecues; Lawler St. Dowling Street Park: memorial marks the spot where John Oxley first passed through in 1817; Dowling St. Lake Forbes: picnic spots, barbecue facilities, fishing, and a walking and cycling track; off Gordon Duff Dr. Historical town walk: includes the post office (1862) and the town hall (1861) where Dame Nellie Melba performed in 1909; map from visitor centre. Local arts and crafts: brochure from visitor centre.
Nearby
Gum Swamp Sanctuary: birdlife and other fauna, best seen at sunrise or sunset; 4 km S. Banderra Estate Vineyard: French winemaker with cellar-door tastings; off Orange Rd; 5 km E. Chateau Champsaur: oldest winery in the area (1886), with cellar-door tastings; (02) 6852 3908; 5 km SE. Ben Hall's Place: marks the site where the bushranger was shot dead by policemen; 8 km W. Jemalong Weir: with parklands by the Lachan River, good spot for fishing and picnicking; 24 km S.
Fishing spots near town
Lithgow to Mudgee 193 km
Early settlers following in the footsteps of Blaxland, Wentworth and Lawson took three weeks of hard trudging to cross the majestic Blue Mountains. These days the drive from the Penrith plains in western Sydney takes... Find out moreWagga Wagga 198 km
In my early teens I lived in Wagga Wagga for about three years and spent many hours fishing from a kayak on the Murrumbidgee and at Lake Albert. The river held excellent numbers of redfin, and they were of good size, so... Find out moreEco-friendly activities around town
Picnicking around Dubbo 138 km
Throw a rug down in the 167-hectare Burrendong Botanic Gardens and Arboretum near Wellington, and take in the fragrance of an estimated 2500 native plant species.... Find out moreWine-tasting - Mudgee 171 km
Mudgee is probably best known for its vineyards and wine, and there are a growing number of organic wineries, including Botobolar, Lowe Family Wines, Martins Hill and Thistle Hill. Broombee also has organic fruit and... Find out moreBirdwatching in Fivebough and Tuckerbil wetlands 198 km
Fivebough and Tuckerbil Wetlands are Ramsar-listed, and among nearly 200 birds spotted here are brolgas, black-winged stilts and painted snipes. Fivebough has 5 kilometres of walking tracks, with bird hides along the... Find out moreKoala-spotting - Narrandera 202 km
Koalas have thrived at Narrandera since they were released in 1972. At Narrandera Nature Reserve you should be able to spot a few.... Find out moreIce-climbing 217 km
In winter, the frozen cliffs around Blue Lake provide one of the only places in Australia to learn and perfect the art of ice-climbing. Multi-day courses involve a hike in with heavy packs, and camping out in the... Find out morePicnicking in the Blue Mountains 225 km
Take a picnic up to the Blue Mountains Botanic Garden in Mount Tomah at any time of year and you will not be disappointed. At 1000 metres above sea level, it is usually cool in summer, brimming with flowers in spring,... Find out morePicnicking around Canberra 233 km
There are many great places to unpack a picnic in the Australian Capital Territory, from the copious native areas in the Australian National Botanic Gardens, to the bird mecca of Jerrabomberra Wetlands on the Molonglo... Find out moreGolf courses around town
Royal Canberra Golf Club (Westbourne course) 235 km
When the site for the nation’s capital was selected in 1909, it was mainly rolling grassy plains with few trees. Little was known about what species might flourish in Canberra’s environment. The federal... Find out moreCafes & restaurants around town
Wattle Cafe is adored by locals for its welcoming atmosphere, light lunches and snacks for eating in or takeaway. It’s an older-style eatery, complete with booths. The food is varied, from kebabs, fried chicken,... Find out more
Nearby breweries
William Bull Brewery 199 km
The high-profile, family-run De Bortoli Wines diversifying into craft beer has been one of the longest-running stories around. In the late 1990s they acquired a brewhouse that originally belonged to the ... Find out moreWig & Pen Brewery/Tavern 234 km
Canberra may well claim to be the real ale capital of Australia on the strength of this single brew-pub, which sees more pints of hand-pumped ale pulled than any other joint in the land. From the well-balanced and... Find out moreCampsites around town
Terarra Creek camping area 44 km
To get to this sole camping area in the park, follow Escort Way from Eugowra and keep an eye out for an NPWS sign pointing to a dirt road. The campground is a little under 5 km from the park entrance. The road is 2WD,... Find out moreHoly Camp camping area 57 km
This is a nice, shaded spot 15 km west of Grenfell via Holy Camp Rd. From the camp you can do the Euladrie walk, which follows an old logging road to the base of the escarpment and then climbs steeply to Peregrine... Find out moreBen Halls camping area 58 km
The grassy unpowered campsites here are set beside historic Seatons Farm, and just a half-hour walk from Ben Halls Cave. The farm is a well-preserved Depression-era farm, with interpretive signs that give a... Find out moreWallaby picnic and camping area 60 km
Take a walk along the Wallaby Walking Track (4 km, 1 hr, medium difficulty) and you may catch a glimpse of a red-necked wallaby or swamp wallaby. Alternatively, sneak out at night with a torch and see if you can catch... Find out moreWanda Wandong camping area 79 km
Let the children run free in this spacious, grassy camping ground, 700 m off the Tomingley–Obley Rd, 3 km north of Tomingley. This is the best section of the park to visit for 2WD vehicles towing caravans; even so,... Find out moreCanobolas Forest Park 87 km
This is a peaceful picnicking and camping area surrounded by a 60-year-old pine forest. There are picnic tables, walking tracks, and trout in the creek nearby. It’s 20 km south of Orange via Cadia Rd then Four Mile... Find out moreFederal Falls camping area 90 km
The road in to Federal Falls camping area isn’t suitable for caravans or camper trailers, although 2WD vehicles are permitted. To get here, follow Pinnacle Rd from Orange and turn onto Towac Way. There are a number... Find out moreGreenbah camping area 90 km
Bring your binoculars and your bird-identification guide to this camping area next to Greenbah Creek, as it’s a top spot for birdwatching. To get here, turn off Baldry–Peak Hill Rd onto Sawpit Gully Trail... Find out moreBakers Shaft Reserve 96 km
This camping area is around 20 km west of the historic town of Carcoar. Follow the Mid-Western Hwy through Mandurama, and about 10 km north you’ll come across Burnt Yards; take Bakes Rd then Junction Park Rd. This... Find out moreCanobolas Caravan Park 104 km
This is a friendly and well-appointed caravan park on Bathurst Rd in Orange. There are shaded powered and unpowered tent sites as well as self-contained deluxe and standard cabins. Nearby attractions include wine-tasting... Find out moreCaravan parks around town
Forbes River Meadows Caravan Park 2 km
Located about 2 km south of Forbes along the highway, this owner-operated park is a convenient and ideal overnight stop. It has shady trees, large expanses of lawn and spotless amenities. We stay here when passing by.... Find out moreThis is a very neat owner-operated park, about 2 km from the centre of town on Cowra Road. The park caters predominantly for tourists and has good amenities and most facilities. Bookings are required in peak periods.... Find out more
Apex Riverside Tourist Park 2 km
The park is about 3 km from the town centre on a picturesque bend of the Lachlan River, which some sites overlook. It is managed on behalf of Apex and is of good quality.... Find out moreSpicer Caravan Park 32 km
This is a budget-priced, council-owned park with good basic facilities, about 2 km from the town centre. It is in a quiet spot, off the main highway, about 16 km from the Parkes satellite dish. Bookings are required in... Find out morePeak Hill Caravan Park 76 km
This owner-operated park offers a range of accommodation and is ideal for an overnight stay. It is a small, budget-priced park, located off the main highway and just a short walk from the town centre. The owners supply... Find out moreAce Caravan Park 96 km
This is an owner-operated park with a good choice of accommodation. The park is just 500 metres from the town centre and easily accessible from the major highways.... Find out moreColour City Caravan Park 103 km
This is a council park with good basic facilities in a quiet, off-highway position, about 2 km north of the city centre, adjoining the showgrounds. It is good value at a budget price. Bookings are recommended all year... Find out moreWellington Caves Holiday Complex 121 km
Relax and let a few days slip by at this spacious park, located 6 km south of the town centre alongside the Wellington Caves, a popular tourist attraction. It is a quality park and makes an ideal stopover. Bookings are... Find out moreWellington Valley Caravan Park 126 km
On the Mitchell Highway on the eastern approach to Wellington this older park has been renovated and transformed. The convenient drive-through sites and grassy camping areas are a feature.... Find out moreWellington Riverside Tourist Park 128 km
This is a well-maintained park on the banks of the Macquarie River, close to the highway and just a short walk to the centre of town. The park has good facilities at a budget price. Bookings are required at peak times... Find out moreHotels, motels & B&Bs around town
Eco-friendly places to stay around town
Clonturkle Sanctuary 170 km
Join the experiment in sustainable living and tourism at Clonturkle Earth Hamlet and Forest Sanctuary. Located at Yetholme, there are four cabins set on 240 hectares of mostly eucalypt forest, with 15 kilometres of... Find out moreJenolan Cabins 191 km
These basic but cosy self-contained cabins, 6 kilometres up the steep hill past Jenolan Caves, are earth-sheltered for climate control and have composting toilets and rainwater. There are great views over the mountains,... Find out moreDargan Springs Mountain Lodge, Clarence 207 km
At the soft end of ecotourism, this pleasant lodge and wellness retreat has advanced eco-certification. It is surrounded by a mountain ash forest dotted with waratahs, the habitat of wombats and wallabies. With a maximum... Find out moreWoolshed Cabins, near Blackheath 211 km
Eleven kilometres from Blackheath and surrounded by a glorious natural amphitheatre of towering sandstone walls, the Woolshed Cabins sit on 100 hectares of cleared farmland (a working cattle farm) in the Kanimbla Valley,... Find out moreKanimbla View, Blackheath 212 km
Solar-powered, the two- and three-bedroom cottages here are surprisingly large inside. They are partially constructed from recycled and salvaged timbers, have composting toilets and a great view of the Kanimbla Valley... Find out moreJemby-Rinjah Eco Lodge, Blackheath 217 km
One of the first working examples of large-scale sustainable tourism to exist in Australia, Jemby-Rinjah has advanced eco-accreditation, and one of the most extensive systems of composting toilets in the country. Ten... Find out moreOld Leura Dairy 218 km
This creative collection of six buildings, which can sleep up to 30 people in various combinations, has been renovated and fitted out with all manner of recycled bits and bobs. There are old oven doors, rusted corrugated... Find out moreBunjaree Cottages, Wentworth Falls 224 km
Great for families, Bunjaree Cottages have been designed to make a small environmental footprint, with full solar power and earth-brick insulation. One is built with recycled car tyres and mud, providing even better... Find out moreWollemi Wilderness Retreat, Bilpin 228 km
These unusual self-contained cabins of various sizes feature passive solar design and are mainly constructed from recycled and salvaged materials. Although not high-class, they all have a spa and are in isolated bush... Find out moreRest areas around town
Forbes Rest Area 1 km
South side of town Large area on the riverbank 500 metres north-west of the highway past the Forbes Lake Motel. Good shade. Facilities at adjacent day use area. GPS: S33 23.292 E148 00.110... Find out moreBillabong Creek Rest Area 22 km
23 km N of Forbes (R) or 10 km S of Parkes (L) Small area just off the highway. Good shade. GPS: S33 12.531 E148 07.473 ... Find out morePiney Range Rest Area 48 km
82 km E of West Wyalong (L) or 22 km W of Grenfell (R) Small area adjacent to the highway. Limited shade. GPS: S33 48.917 E147 57.204 ... Find out moreBogolong Rest Area 52 km
95 km E of West Wyalong (L) or 9 km W of Grenfell (R) Large area just off the highway. Limited shade. GPS: S33 50.982 E148 05.447 ... Find out moreGrenfell West Rest Area 58 km
102 km E of West Wyalong (L) or 2 km W of Grenfell (R) Small area adjacent to the highway. Good facilities. Limited shade. GPS: S33 53.425 E148 08.743 ... Find out moreBen Halls Cave Camp Area 58 km
T/O 99 km E of West Wyalong (R) or 5 km W of Grenfell (L) Large open area located 26 kilometres south-west of the highway via Back Piney Range Road and Weddin View Road in a pleasant natural bush setting in Weddin... Find out moreMarsden Rest Area 62 km
36 km NE of West Wyalong (R) or 68 km W of Grenfell (L) Large area just off the highway. Good facilities. Limited shade. GPS: S33 45.846 E147 31.126 ... Find out moreTyagong Creek Rest Area 71 km
31 km E of Grenfell (R) or 24 km W of Cowra (L) Small area adjacent to the highway. Limited shade. GPS: S33 54.096 E148 27.977 ... Find out moreCowra Park Area 80 km
Middle of town Large parking area opposite the information centre. GPS: S33 50.200 E148 40.919 ... Find out moreRamage Park Rest Area 82 km
5 km NE of Cowra (R) or 104 km SW of Bathurst (L) Small area just off the highway. GPS: S33 49.787 E148 42.614 ... Find out moreMolong Park Area 87 km
South side of town Small area adjacent to the highway. Good facilities. Limited shade. GPS: S33 05.966 E148 52.297... Find out moreKingsley Fairborough Park Area 89 km
30 km NW of Orange (R) or 4 km SE of Molong (L) Small grassed area just off the highway. Good shade. GPS: S33 07.26 E148 54.31 ... Find out moreTomingley South Rest Area 90 km
64 km N of Parkes (R) or 56 km S of Dubbo (L) Large area just off the highway. Good shade. GPS: S32 35.698 E148 13.176 ... Find out moreWyalong Park Area 93 km
West side of town Small parking area just off the highway. GPS: S33 55.440 E147 14.127 ... Find out morePoppett Head Mine Park Area 94 km
3 km E of West Wyalong (L) or 101 km W of Grenfell (R) Small area just off the highway. Good facilities. Limited shade. GPS: S33 55.493 E147 14.017... Find out moreGamboola Rest Area 97 km
17 km NW of Orange (L) or 17 km SE of Molong (R) Small area just off the highway. Reasonable shade. GPS: S33 09.44 E149 00.36... Find out moreBell River Rest Area 98 km
23 km N of Molong (R) or 42 km S of Wellington (L) Large area adjacent to the highway. Limited shade. GPS: S32 54.712 E148 53.429 ... Find out moreTomingley Creek Rest Area 99 km
74 km NE of Parkes (L) or 46 km SW of Dubbo (R) Large area just off the highway surrounded by trees. Limited shade. GPS: S32 31.283 E148 16.763 ... Find out moreTwo Mile Creek Rest Area 104 km
32 km N of Molong (L) or 33 km S of Wellington (R) Large area adjacent to the highway. Limited shade. GPS: S32 50.029 E148 54.404... Find out moreFullers Lane Rest Area 110 km
60 km NE of Cowra (R) or 49 km SW of Bathurst (L) Small area just off the highway. Good shade. GPS: S33 35.890 E149 09.927 ... Find out moreCarcoar Dam Camp Area 112 km
T/O 62 km NE of Cowra (R) or 47 km SW of Bathurst (L) Large camp area located 2 kilometres south of the highway on the shores of the dam. Good facilities and shade. GPS: S33 36.717 E149 10.864 ... Find out moreBlayney Park Area 117 km
West side of town Small parking area adjacent to the highway. Good facilities. Limited shade. GPS: S33 32.263 E149 15.254... Find out moreMacquarie Wood Camp Area 121 km
T/O 28 km W of Bathurst (R) or 28 km E of Orange (L) Large open grassed area located 2 kilometres north of the highway among some large trees. Good facilities and shade. NOTE: Access road unsealed. GPS: S33 24.34... Find out moreWellington South Rest Area 122 km
56 km N of Molong (R) or 9 km S of Wellington (L) Small area adjacent to the highway. Limited shade. GPS: S32 37.413 E148 56.885... Find out morePanai Rest Area 126 km
106 km NE of Parkes (L) or 14 km SW of Dubbo (R) Secluded area just off the highway among some large trees. Good shade. GPS: S32 19.800 E148 30.504 ... Find out moreThe Rocks Rest Area 128 km
20 km W of Bathurst (R) or 36 km E of Orange (L) Small area adjacent to the highway. Good shade and facilities. GPS: S33 25.56 E149 22.48 ... Find out moreNarromine East Rest Area 129 km
36 km W of Dubbo (R) or 4 km E of Narromine (L) Small area adjacent to the highway. Limited shade. GPS: S32 14.618 E148 16.179... Find out moreGeurie North Rest Area 134 km
24 km NW of Wellington (L) or 27 km SE of Dubbo (R) Small area adjacent to the highway. Limited shade. GPS: S32 23.306 E148 48.978... Find out moreWeethalle Rest Area 139 km
Middle of town Small parking area adjacent to the highway. GPS: S33 52.520 E146 37.539... Find out moreBeckom Rest Area 140 km
78 km N of Narrandera (L) or 58 km SW of West Wyalong (R) Large area just off the highway. Good facilities. Limited shade. GPS: S34 20.219 E147 00.923... Find out moreWhat's on around town
Jazz Festival: Jan.
