Ellerston

NSW 2337 • New South Wales

123
Population (2021)
N/A
Median Personal Income
290.39 km²
Area
N/A
Median Rent
RuralRemotePastoralHistoric
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About Ellerston

Ellerston is a remote rural locality deep in the Upper Hunter Valley of New South Wales, situated in the rugged Barrington Tops hinterland approximately 80 kilometres north-west of Maitland and 240 kilometres north of Sydney. Covering an extensive 290 square kilometres, the locality had a recorded population of just 123 at the 2021 Census, spread across large pastoral and farming properties in a landscape of open river flats and mountain ranges. The area falls within the Upper Hunter state electorate and the Parkes federal electorate, reflecting its position as a deeply rural corner of regional New South Wales.

Ellerston is widely known as the home of Ellerston Polo Estate, regarded as one of the finest polo facilities in the world and long associated with Australia's rich pastoral heritage and the late media magnate Kerry Packer. The surrounding landscape features the clean headwaters of the Hunter River, dense State Forest, and dramatic escarpment country rising into the Barrington Tops. Scone, the nearest regional town and self-proclaimed 'horse capital of Australia', is the closest centre for schools, medical care, and everyday services, with access to Ellerston typically via unsealed mountain roads.

Ellerston falls under postcode 2337 and is governed by the Upper Hunter Council (Local Government Area). For federal elections, residents vote in the electorate of Parkes, while state elections fall under the Upper Hunter electorate.

📍 Location

Postcode
2337
Urban Area
N/A
LGA / Council
Federal Electorate
State Electorate
Type
Locality
Timezone
Sydney (UTC+10)
Coordinates
-31.97°, 151.08°
Statistical Area
N/A
Area
290.39 km²
Population Density
0 /km²
Elevation
0m

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💰 Income

ATO taxable income Postcode 2337

Median taxable income for individual taxpayers in postcode 2337, comparing the 2019–20 and 2023–24 financial years.

Median 2019–20
$46,781
Median 2023–24
$57,077
22.0% increase
Average taxable income (2023–24)
$91,150

Source: ATO Taxation Statistics 2023–24, Individuals Table 8 (median & average taxable income by postcode). Covers all individuals who lodged a return in postcode 2337; postcodes with fewer than 200 lodgments are suppressed by the ATO.

🚌 Transport & Commute

Bus Services

  • No scheduled services — N/A N/A

Commute to Sydney CBD

Distance
240 km
By Train
No direct service; drive to Scone station, then approximately 3 hours by train to Sydney Central
By Car (Peak)
3-4 hr
By Car (Off-Peak)
3 hr

🛣️ Car and 4WD recommended. Access roads through Barrington Tops may be unsealed. Scone provides the nearest sealed road hub and rail connection.

Walkability Almost All Errands Require a Car

Car or 4WD essential for all errands; Scone is the nearest town for shops and services, approximately 80km away

🛒 Supermarkets Nearby

No major supermarkets listed for this suburb.

🎓 Schools

👥 Demographics

Census 2016
0
Census 2021
123
0% growth

Population Growth

Gender Distribution (Census 2021)

📊 Population: ABS Census 2021

🚔 Crime Statistics LGA-wide

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

Break & enter (dwelling)
208.2 / 100k
Motor vehicle theft
152.7 / 100k
Non-DV assault
291.5 / 100k
Robbery (unarmed)
6.9 / 100k
Steal from vehicle
256.8 / 100k

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

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Nearby Suburbs

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Ellerston known for? +

Ellerston is best known as the home of Ellerston Polo Estate, widely regarded as one of the world's finest polo facilities. The estate was developed by the late Kerry Packer and remains one of Australia's most iconic private properties, set against the spectacular backdrop of the Upper Hunter Valley and Barrington Tops.

How far is Ellerston from Sydney? +

Ellerston is approximately 240 kilometres north of Sydney CBD, a drive of around 3 to 4 hours depending on the route taken through the Upper Hunter Valley and Barrington Tops.

Does Ellerston have public transport? +

There is no public transport serving Ellerston. The nearest rail station is Scone, approximately 80 kilometres to the south-east, on the Hunter Valley Line with services to Sydney. A private vehicle, ideally with 4WD capability, is essential for reaching and navigating the locality.

What is the population of Ellerston? +

According to the 2021 Census, Ellerston has a population of 123 across approximately 52 dwellings, making it one of the more sparsely populated localities in the Upper Hunter region despite its large 290 square kilometre area.

Is Ellerston a good place to live? +

Ellerston suits those seeking an exceptionally remote and scenic rural lifestyle in the Upper Hunter Valley. Its dramatic mountain and river landscapes are beautiful, but residents must be fully self-sufficient as services require a significant drive to Scone or beyond.

What is the postcode for Ellerston? +

The postcode for Ellerston is 2337, which covers several localities in the Upper Hunter region of New South Wales, including Scone and surrounding rural areas.

Is Ellerston a safe area? +

Crime statistics are recorded at the Local Government Area level. Ellerston is part of the Upper Hunter 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.