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Bethungra

NSW 2590 • New South Wales

137
Population (2021)
N/A
Median Personal Income
301.05 km²
Area
N/A
Median Rent
RuralHistoricAgriculturalSemi-Rural
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About Bethungra

Bethungra is a small rural locality in Junee Shire in the South West Slopes region of New South Wales, situated on the Olympic Highway approximately 400 kilometres south-west of Sydney and 70 kilometres from Wagga Wagga. The locality lies 24 kilometres south-west of Cootamundra at an elevation of 310 metres, in the gently rolling pastoral and cropping country of the Riverina. At the 2021 Census, Bethungra had a population of 137 across an area of approximately 301 square kilometres, with a postcode median income of around $41,909.

Bethungra was formally established when the Post Office opened in December 1875 and retains the quiet character of a historic rural locality shaped by its pastoral and railway heritage. The locality is served by the Olympic Highway, providing road access to Cootamundra and the regional hub of Wagga Wagga for shopping, healthcare, and services. The area is also known for the Bethungra Spiral, a remarkable engineering feat on the Main South railway line where the track spirals through a tunnel to gain elevation, making it a point of interest for railway history enthusiasts.

Bethungra falls under postcode 2590 and is governed by the Junee Council (Local Government Area). For federal elections, residents vote in the electorate of Riverina, while state elections fall under the Cootamundra electorate.

📍 Location

State
New South Wales
Postcode
2590
Urban Area
N/A
LGA / Council
Junee
Federal Electorate
Riverina
State Electorate
Cootamundra
Type
Locality
Timezone
Sydney (UTC+10)
Coordinates
-34.71°, 147.90°
Statistical Area
N/A
Area
301.05 km²
Population Density
0 /km²
Elevation
0m

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💰 Income

ATO taxable income Postcode 2590

Median taxable income for individual taxpayers in postcode 2590, comparing the 2019–20 and 2023–24 financial years.

Median 2019–20
$41,909
Median 2023–24
$49,430
▲ 17.9% increase
Average taxable income (2023–24)
$61,128

Source: ATO Taxation Statistics 2023–24, Individuals Table 8 (median & average taxable income by postcode). Covers all individuals who lodged a return in postcode 2590; postcodes with fewer than 200 lodgments are suppressed by the ATO.

🚌 Transport & Commute

Nearest Train Stations

Cootamundra
24 km
N/A (drive required)

Bus Services

  • Limited regional services — Cootamundra / Wagga Wagga 25–30 min to Cootamundra

Commute to Sydney CBD

Distance
400 km
By Train
Drive to Cootamundra station (~24 km); XPT to Sydney approx. 5–6 hrs
By Car (Peak)
4–4.5 hrs
By Car (Off-Peak)
3.5–4 hrs

🛣️ Olympic Highway provides main road access; Wagga Wagga (70 km) is the primary regional service centre

Walkability Almost All Errands Require a Car

A car is essential for all daily errands; Cootamundra and Wagga Wagga are the nearest service centres

🛒 Supermarkets Nearby

No major supermarkets listed for this suburb.

🎓 Schools

👥 Demographics

Census 2016
0
Census 2021
137
▲ 0% growth

Population Growth

Gender Distribution (Census 2021)

📊 Population: ABS Census 2021

🚔 Crime Statistics LGA-wide

These are the latest 2025 rates for the Junee Local Government Area, which contains Bethungra. Rates are per 100,000 residents; trends compare 2 and 10 year periods ending Dec 2025.

Break & enter (dwelling)
108.4 / 100k
2yr — 10yr —
Motor vehicle theft
154.8 / 100k
2yr — 10yr —
Non-DV assault
170.3 / 100k
2yr — 10yr —
Robbery (unarmed)
15.5 / 100k
2yr — 10yr —
Steal from vehicle
77.4 / 100k
2yr — 10yr —
View all 62 offence types for Junee →

Source: NSW Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research (BOCSAR)

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is Bethungra known for? +

Bethungra is known for its pastoral heritage and the Bethungra Spiral — a famous section of the Main South railway line where the track loops through a tunnel to gain elevation, considered one of Australia's most notable feats of railway engineering.

How far is Bethungra from Sydney? +

Bethungra is approximately 400 kilometres south-west of Sydney, making it around a 3.5 to 4 hour drive via the Hume Highway and Olympic Highway.

Does Bethungra have public transport? +

Bethungra itself has no public transport stops. The nearest train station is Cootamundra, approximately 24 kilometres away, where XPT services run to Sydney and Melbourne on the Main South Line.

What is the population of Bethungra? +

According to the 2021 Census, Bethungra has a population of 137 residents across approximately 301 square kilometres in Junee Shire, New South Wales.

Is Bethungra a good place to live? +

Bethungra suits those seeking a quiet rural lifestyle in the NSW South West Slopes, with open farming landscapes and a small, established community. Wagga Wagga (70 km) provides access to all major services, and Cootamundra (24 km) covers everyday needs.

What is the postcode for Bethungra? +

The postcode for Bethungra, New South Wales is 2590.

Is Bethungra a safe area? +

Crime statistics are recorded at the Local Government Area level. Bethungra is part of the Junee 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.