🔍

Forbes River

NSW 2446 • New South Wales

20
Population (2021)
N/A
Median Personal Income
218.53 km²
Area
N/A
Median Rent
RuralRemoteNatureAgricultural
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About Forbes River

Forbes River is a small rural locality in the Port Macquarie–Hastings area of New South Wales's Mid North Coast, taking its name from the Forbes River, a significant tributary of the upper Hastings River system. The locality covers 218.5 square kilometres of forested mountain country and farming land in the hinterland west of Port Macquarie and recorded a population of just 20 at the 2021 census. The Forbes River flows through remote ranges and valleys in the area broadly between Wauchope and the Manning Valley watershed, draining the rugged coastal ranges that separate the mid-coast from the New England Tablelands. The landscape is characterised by tall eucalypt forest, clear mountain streams and the deeply dissected terrain typical of NSW's north coast hinterland ranges.

Forbes River's tiny resident community is engaged in cattle grazing, small-scale forestry and rural residential living in one of the Mid North Coast's most isolated hinterland localities. Wauchope (approximately 30–40 kilometres to the south-east) is the nearest service town, offering basic retail, schools and the Wauchope railway station on the NSW North Coast Line. Port Macquarie (approximately 60 kilometres east) is the regional city with a full range of urban services, a hospital, the Port Macquarie Airport and the region's main coastal attractions. The surrounding state forests and national parks provide exceptional wildlife habitat and are popular with bushwalkers and hunters accessing the remote mid-coast ranges.

Forbes River falls under postcode 2446 and is governed by the Port Macquarie-Hastings Council (Local Government Area). For federal elections, residents vote in the electorate of Lyne, while state elections fall under the Port Macquarie electorate.

📍 Location

State
New South Wales
Postcode
2446
Urban Area
N/A
LGA / Council
Port Macquarie-Hastings
Federal Electorate
Lyne
State Electorate
Port Macquarie
Type
Locality
Timezone
Sydney (UTC+10)
Coordinates
-31.39°, 152.47°
Statistical Area
N/A
Area
218.53 km²
Population Density
0 /km²
Elevation
0m

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💰 Income

ATO taxable income Postcode 2446

Median taxable income for individual taxpayers in postcode 2446, comparing the 2019–20 and 2023–24 financial years.

Median 2019–20
$39,827
Median 2023–24
$49,672
▲ 24.7% increase
Average taxable income (2023–24)
$59,447

Source: ATO Taxation Statistics 2023–24, Individuals Table 8 (median & average taxable income by postcode). Covers all individuals who lodged a return in postcode 2446; postcodes with fewer than 200 lodgments are suppressed by the ATO.

🚌 Transport & Commute

Nearest Train Stations

Wauchope
38 km
NSW TrainLink North Coast Line – services to Sydney (~6 hrs) and Brisbane (~4 hrs)

Commute to Sydney CBD

Distance
420 km
By Train
~6.5 hrs (drive ~38 km to Wauchope, then North Coast Line to Central)
By Bus
Not available
By Car (Peak)
~4 hr 30 min to Sydney via Pacific Highway
By Car (Off-Peak)
~4 hr 15 min

🛣️ Wauchope (~38 km) and Port Macquarie (~60 km) are the service centres. Roads into the locality may be rough and unsealed. Seasonal creek crossings can be impassable after heavy rain.

Walkability Car Dependent

Forbes River has no local amenities whatsoever. A reliable vehicle, preferably high-clearance, is essential. All services require a lengthy drive to Wauchope or Port Macquarie.

🛒 Supermarkets Nearby

No major supermarkets listed for this suburb.

🎓 Schools

👥 Demographics

Census 2016
0
Census 2021
20
▲ 0% growth

Population Growth

Gender Distribution (Census 2021)

📊 Population: ABS Census 2021

🚔 Crime Statistics LGA-wide

These are the latest 2025 rates for the Port Macquarie-Hastings Local Government Area, which contains Forbes River. Rates are per 100,000 residents; trends compare 2 and 10 year periods ending Dec 2025.

Break & enter (dwelling)
220.2 / 100k
2yr Stable 10yr Stable
Motor vehicle theft
154.1 / 100k
2yr Stable 10yr Up 2.6%
Non-DV assault
487.7 / 100k
2yr Stable 10yr Up 3.6%
Robbery (unarmed)
5.5 / 100k
2yr — 10yr —
Steal from vehicle
208.1 / 100k
2yr Stable 10yr Stable
View all 62 offence types for Port Macquarie-Hastings →

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

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Nearby Suburbs

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Forbes River known for? +

Forbes River's tiny resident community is engaged in cattle grazing, small-scale forestry and rural residential living in one of the Mid North Coast's most isolated hinterland localities.

How far is Forbes River from Sydney CBD? +

Forbes River is approximately 420 kilometres from Sydney CBD. The drive takes approximately ~4 hr 30 min to Sydney via Pacific Highway in peak hour and ~4 hr 15 min off-peak.

Does Forbes River have public transport? +

The nearest train station is Wauchope (38 km away, approximately null walk) on the NSW TrainLink North Coast Line – services to Sydney (~6 hrs) and Brisbane (~4 hrs).

What is the population of Forbes River? +

According to the 2021 Census, Forbes River has a very small population of approximately 20 residents, making it one of the smallest localities in the region.

Is Forbes River a good place to live? +

Forbes River is a sparsely populated locality suited to those seeking a rural or wilderness experience rather than typical suburban amenities.

What is the postcode for Forbes River? +

The postcode for Forbes River is 2446. It is located in New South Wales (NSW).

Is Forbes River a safe area? +

Crime statistics are recorded at the Local Government Area level. Forbes River is part of the Port Macquarie-Hastings 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.