McMahons Reef
NSW 2587 • New South Wales
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 Hilltops Council (Local Government Area). For federal elections, residents vote in the electorate of Shortland, while state elections fall under the Cootamundra electorate.
Location
Ad
Income
ATO taxable income Postcode 2587
Median taxable income for individual taxpayers in postcode 2587, 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 2587; postcodes with fewer than 200 lodgments are suppressed by the ATO.
Transport & Commute
Bus Services
- No scheduled bus service — N/A N/A
Commute to Sydney CBD
🛣️ Boorowa is the nearest service town (approx. 35 km); Young offers broader services (approx. 55 km); car essential
McMahons Reef has no local services — a private vehicle is required for all daily needs, with Boorowa the nearest town
Supermarkets Nearby
No major supermarkets listed for this suburb.
Schools
-
Murrumburrah High School ICSEA 9152587 Smith St
-
Murrumburrah Public School ICSEA 9616386 2209 Albury Street
-
Wombat Public School ICSEA 8986384 3290 Rose St
Demographics
Population Growth
Gender Distribution (Census 2021)
Crime Statistics LGA-wide
These are the latest 2025 rates for the Hilltops Local Government Area, which contains McMahons Reef. 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)