🔍

Dargan

NSW 2786 • New South Wales

83
Population (2021)
N/A
Median Personal Income
8.10 km²
Area
N/A
Median Rent
BushlandRuralHistoricMountain
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About Dargan

Dargan is a small rural locality in the City of Lithgow local government area, nestled in the upper Blue Mountains of New South Wales along the Bells Line of Road, approximately 133 kilometres west of Sydney and about 17 kilometres north-east of Lithgow. The locality covers around 8 square kilometres of rugged bushland and sandstone escarpment country within or adjacent to the Greater Blue Mountains World Heritage Area. With a 2021 Census population of 83 residents spread across 48 dwellings, Dargan is a quiet, semi-rural community that retains a strong connection to the natural landscape and the region's rich colonial and railway history.

Dargan is home to the Dargan Arch, a striking natural sandstone rock formation popular with bushwalkers exploring the Blue Mountains fringe, and is in proximity to the Dargan Shelter — an archaeologically significant rock shelter on Dharug Country with evidence of human occupation dating back approximately 20,000 years, making it the highest-elevation Pleistocene site identified in Australia. Dargan's Creek Reserve, a community-managed conservation area, protects remnant bushland and old railway dams originally built to supply steam trains along the historic Zig Zag Railway route. Residents travel to Lithgow for everyday shopping, schools, and services, while the nearby Clarence area offers heritage railway tourism experiences.

Dargan falls under postcode 2786 and is governed by the Lithgow Council (Local Government Area). For federal elections, residents vote in the electorate of Macquarie, while state elections fall under the Blue Mountains electorate.

📍 Location

State
New South Wales
Postcode
2786
Urban Area
N/A
LGA / Council
Lithgow
Federal Electorate
Macquarie
State Electorate
Blue Mountains
Type
Locality
Timezone
Sydney (UTC+10)
Coordinates
-33.53°, 150.32°
Statistical Area
N/A
Area
8.10 km²
Population Density
10 /km²
Elevation
0m

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💰 Income

ATO taxable income Postcode 2786

Median taxable income for individual taxpayers in postcode 2786 for the 2023–24 financial year (2019–20 data not published for this postcode).

Median 2019–20
N/A
Median 2023–24
$49,016
Average taxable income (2023–24)
$65,378

Source: ATO Taxation Statistics 2023–24, Individuals Table 8 (median & average taxable income by postcode). Covers all individuals who lodged a return in postcode 2786; postcodes with fewer than 200 lodgments are suppressed by the ATO.

🚌 Transport & Commute

Nearest Train Stations

Lithgow Station
17 km
N/A (drive)

Bus Services

  • Limited local services — Lithgow Approx. 20-30 min to Lithgow

Commute to Sydney CBD

Distance
133 km
By Train
Drive to Lithgow (17 km) then Blue Mountains Line train to Sydney Central (approx. 2h 15min)
By Car (Peak)
1h 45min - 2h 15min
By Car (Off-Peak)
1h 30min - 1h 50min

🛣️ Bells Line of Road and Great Western Highway connect to Sydney; Lithgow is the nearest regional centre with full services

Walkability Almost All Errands Require a Car

A remote bushland locality with no local shops or services; residents depend on Lithgow for all daily needs

🛒 Supermarkets Nearby

No major supermarkets listed for this suburb.

🎓 Schools

👥 Demographics

Census 2016
0
Census 2021
83
▲ 0% growth

Population Growth

Gender Distribution (Census 2021)

📊 Population: ABS Census 2021

🚔 Crime Statistics LGA-wide

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

Break & enter (dwelling)
308.6 / 100k
2yr Stable 10yr Down 7.5%
Motor vehicle theft
178.4 / 100k
2yr Stable 10yr Stable
Non-DV assault
564.1 / 100k
2yr Stable 10yr Stable
Robbery (unarmed)
4.8 / 100k
2yr — 10yr —
Steal from vehicle
212.2 / 100k
2yr Stable 10yr Stable
View all 62 offence types for Lithgow →

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

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Nearby Suburbs

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Dargan NSW known for? +

Dargan is known for the Dargan Arch, a natural sandstone rock formation popular with bushwalkers, and the Dargan Shelter — an archaeologically significant site with evidence of Indigenous occupation dating back around 20,000 years, making it the highest-elevation Pleistocene site found in Australia.

How far is Dargan from Sydney? +

Dargan is approximately 133 kilometres west of Sydney, making it around a 1 hour 30 minute to 2 hour 15 minute drive via the Bells Line of Road or Great Western Highway, depending on traffic.

Does Dargan have public transport? +

There is no train station in Dargan itself. The nearest rail access is at Lithgow (approximately 17 km to the west), where the Blue Mountains Line provides services to Sydney Central. Local bus connections are limited, and a car is the most practical way to get around.

What is the population of Dargan? +

According to the 2021 Census, Dargan has a population of 83 residents across approximately 48 dwellings, making it a small and sparsely settled bushland community.

Is Dargan a good place to live? +

Dargan offers a quiet bushland lifestyle within the Greater Blue Mountains World Heritage Area, appealing to those who value natural scenery, heritage landscapes, and a rural community atmosphere. It is best suited to those comfortable with driving to Lithgow for everyday needs and services.

What is the postcode for Dargan? +

The postcode for Dargan, New South Wales is 2786.

Is Dargan a safe area? +

Crime statistics are recorded at the Local Government Area level. Dargan is part of the Lithgow 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.