Darkes Forest
NSW 2508 • New South Wales
About Darkes Forest
Darkes Forest is a small rural locality in the Northern Illawarra region of New South Wales, situated within the Wollongong and Wollondilly Shire local government areas, approximately 30 kilometres north of Wollongong and 60 kilometres south of Sydney. Spread across 25.55 square kilometres of elevated plateau country, the area is almost entirely surrounded by the Dharawal National Park, lending it a distinctly remote, bushland character. The 2021 Census recorded a population of just 95 residents across 26 dwellings, reflecting its very low-density, semi-rural nature with a median income broadly in line with surrounding Illawarra postcodes.
Darkes Forest is best known for its connection to the land — the area has a fruit-growing heritage dating back to the 1890s, and Darkes Glenbernie Orchard, a sixth-generation family operation, remains the last commercial orchard in the locality, nestled amid the national park. The Darkes Forest Riding Ranch offers horse trail rides and riding lessons through the surrounding bushland, drawing visitors from Wollongong and Sydney. The locality appeals to those who value deep immersion in nature, with Dharawal National Park providing bushwalking and wildlife experiences on the doorstep, though residents rely entirely on a car for daily needs, with Helensburgh the nearest town for shops and services.
Darkes Forest falls under postcode 2508 and is governed by the Wollongong Council (Local Government Area). For federal elections, residents vote in the electorate of Cunningham, while state elections fall under the Heathcote electorate.
Location
Ad
Income
ATO taxable income Postcode 2508
Median taxable income for individual taxpayers in postcode 2508, comparing the 2019–20 and 2023–24 financial years.
Source: ATO Taxation Statistics 2023–24, Individuals Table 8 (median & average taxable income by postcode). Covers all individuals who lodged a return in postcode 2508; postcodes with fewer than 200 lodgments are suppressed by the ATO.
Transport & Commute
Nearest Train Stations
Bus Services
- S367 (school bus service only) — Helensburgh Station Limited school-day services — not suitable for general commuting
Commute to Sydney CBD
🛣️ Located on the Northern Illawarra escarpment; Wollongong CBD is approximately 30 km south, around 30–40 min by car
Darkes Forest has no retail, services, or footpaths — a private vehicle is essential for all daily needs, with Helensburgh the nearest town
Supermarkets Nearby
No major supermarkets listed for this suburb.
Schools
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Helensburgh Public School ICSEA 10574294 1332 Fletcher Street
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1 McMillan Street
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Otford Public School ICSEA 11044294 1323 Station Rd
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Stanwell Park Public School ICSEA 11124294 1191 56 Stanwell Ave
Demographics
Population Growth
Gender Distribution (Census 2021)
Crime Statistics LGA-wide
These are the latest 2025 rates for the Wollongong Local Government Area, which contains Darkes Forest. Rates are per 100,000 residents; trends compare 2 and 10 year periods ending Dec 2025.
Source: NSW Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research (BOCSAR)