McMahons Reef

About McMahons Reef

McMahons Reef is a sparse rural locality in the South Western Slopes region of New South Wales, situated within the Hilltops Council local government area. Covering approximately 132 square kilometres, the locality recorded a population of just 68 residents at the 2021 Census, reflecting its highly dispersed settlement pattern across rolling pastoral land. The area lies in the broader Boorowa–Young district, roughly 35 kilometres north-east of Boorowa, in the southern tablelands country where the landscape transitions from the inland plains to the elevated slopes of the South Western Slopes.

McMahons Reef takes its name from a historic gold mine in the area — the New McMahons Reef Mine — reflecting the broader Hilltops region's rich goldfields heritage, which dates to the 1860s rushes around Young and Boorowa. Today the locality is entirely pastoral in character, with sheep and cattle farming the primary land use across the undulating grazing country. Boorowa is the nearest service town for residents, offering a hospital, schools, and essential retail, while the larger centre of Young — approximately 55 kilometres to the south-east — provides wider commercial services and employment opportunities.

McMahons Reef falls under postcode 2587 and is governed by the local council Council (LGA). For state elections, residents vote in the Cootamundra electorate.

Nearby Suburbs

• Beggan Beggan, NSW 2587
• Cunningar, NSW 2587
• Harden, NSW 2587
• Kingsvale, NSW 2587
• Murrumburrah, NSW 2587
• Nubba, NSW 2587