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Forest Reefs

NSW 2798 • New South Wales

537
Population (2021)
N/A
Median Personal Income
66.07 km²
Area
N/A
Median Rent
RuralAgriculturalQuietSemi-Rural
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About Forest Reefs

Forest Reefs is a small rural locality in the Central West region of New South Wales, situated approximately 20 kilometres south-east of Orange and 10 kilometres east of Blayney within the Blayney Shire Council area. The locality covers a substantial 66 square kilometres of rolling agricultural tableland, with 537 residents primarily living on farms and rural residential properties at elevations typical of the Central Tablelands. It sits at the heart of one of New South Wales' premier cool-climate agricultural zones, surrounded by grazing paddocks, orchards, and mixed farming operations.

The Mid Western Highway connects Forest Reefs to Blayney and Orange, providing access to supermarkets, schools, healthcare, and employment within a 10 to 20 minute drive. Orange in particular offers a full range of regional city amenities including a hospital, university campus, thriving food and wine scene, and extensive retail. Forest Reefs appeals to those seeking affordable rural land and a slower pace of life within easy reach of the Central West's vibrant agricultural and wine country, and is a comfortable 2.5 to 3 hour drive from Sydney.

Forest Reefs falls under postcode 2798 and is governed by the Blayney Council (Local Government Area). For federal elections, residents vote in the electorate of Calare, while state elections fall under the Orange electorate.

📍 Location

State
New South Wales
Postcode
2798
Urban Area
N/A
LGA / Council
Blayney
Federal Electorate
Calare
State Electorate
Orange
Type
Locality
Timezone
Sydney (UTC+10)
Coordinates
-33.46°, 149.16°
Statistical Area
N/A
Area
66.07 km²
Population Density
8 /km²
Elevation
0m

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🏷️ Property Prices 2025

Median sale prices in Forest Reefs for 2025. Based on every residential settlement recorded by the NSW Valuer General in 2025.

🏡House
$1.2M
9 sales · vs 2024 n/a

Source: NSW Valuer General — Property Sales Information. Strata-titled sales are counted as units; all others as houses. Suburbs with fewer than 5 sales in a category are omitted.

💰 Income

ATO taxable income Postcode 2798

Median taxable income for individual taxpayers in postcode 2798, comparing the 2019–20 and 2023–24 financial years.

Median 2019–20
$47,339
Median 2023–24
$60,958
▲ 28.8% increase
Average taxable income (2023–24)
$83,303

Source: ATO Taxation Statistics 2023–24, Individuals Table 8 (median & average taxable income by postcode). Covers all individuals who lodged a return in postcode 2798; postcodes with fewer than 200 lodgments are suppressed by the ATO.

🚌 Transport & Commute

Nearest Train Stations

Blayney
10 km
N/A (drive)

Bus Services

  • Limited regional services — Blayney / Orange 10-20 min to Blayney or Orange

Commute to Sydney CBD

Distance
260 km
By Train
Drive to Blayney (~10 km); XPT train to Sydney Central takes approximately 3.5-4 hours
By Car (Peak)
2.5-3 hours
By Car (Off-Peak)
2.5 hours

🛣️ Mid Western Highway connects to Orange and beyond; Great Western Highway for Sydney

Walkability Almost All Errands Require a Car

No retail or services in the locality; all errands require a drive to Blayney or Orange

🛒 Supermarkets Nearby

No major supermarkets listed for this suburb.

🎓 Schools

👥 Demographics

Census 2016
0
Census 2021
537
▲ 0% growth

Population Growth

Gender Distribution (Census 2021)

📊 Population: ABS Census 2021

🚔 Crime Statistics LGA-wide

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

Break & enter (dwelling)
128.7 / 100k
2yr — 10yr —
Motor vehicle theft
141.6 / 100k
2yr — 10yr —
Non-DV assault
231.7 / 100k
2yr — 10yr —
Robbery (unarmed)
nc / 100k
2yr — 10yr —
Steal from vehicle
128.7 / 100k
2yr — 10yr —
View all 62 offence types for Blayney →

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

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is Forest Reefs known for? +

Forest Reefs is a quiet rural locality in the NSW Central Tablelands, known for its rolling agricultural landscapes, cool climate, and convenient proximity to both Blayney and the thriving regional city of Orange.

How far is Forest Reefs from Sydney? +

Forest Reefs is approximately 260 kilometres west of Sydney CBD, a drive of around 2.5 to 3 hours via the Great Western Highway and Mid Western Highway.

Does Forest Reefs have public transport? +

There is no local bus service operating within Forest Reefs. The nearest train station is Blayney (approximately 10 km away), which is served by CountryLink XPT services to Sydney. A private vehicle is essential for daily life.

What is the population of Forest Reefs? +

According to the 2021 Census, Forest Reefs has a population of 537 residents spread across a large rural area of approximately 66 square kilometres in the Blayney Shire.

Is Forest Reefs a good place to live? +

Forest Reefs suits those seeking affordable rural land with a cooler climate and easy access to Orange's urban amenities. It appeals to farmers, hobby farmers, and those wanting a peaceful country lifestyle within commuting distance of Orange.

What is the postcode for Forest Reefs? +

The postcode for Forest Reefs is 2798, shared with Blayney and several other localities in the Blayney Shire area of the NSW Central West.

What is the median house price in Forest Reefs? +

As of 2025, the median house price is $1,200,000. Figures are based on NSW Valuer General — Property Sales Information.

Is Forest Reefs a safe area? +

Crime statistics are recorded at the Local Government Area level. Forest Reefs is part of the Blayney 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.