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Ophir

NSW 2800 • New South Wales

128
Population (2021)
N/A
Median Personal Income
146.91 km²
Area
N/A
Median Rent
HistoricRuralHeritageAgricultural
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About Ophir

Ophir is a historically significant locality in Cabonne Shire, central New South Wales, located approximately 27 kilometres north-east of Orange near the confluence of Summer Hill Creek and Lewis Ponds Creek. The locality covers around 147 square kilometres and has a small resident population of approximately 128 people according to the 2021 Census. Ophir holds a unique place in Australian history as the site where payable gold was first discovered in New South Wales in February 1851, triggering the broader Australian gold rushes.

The Ophir goldfields drew thousands of prospectors during 1851 and 1852, and the locality was formally laid out by Major Sir Thomas Livingstone Mitchell that year. Today, Ophir is a popular destination for history enthusiasts and recreational fossickers, with the gold-bearing creeks still attracting visitors hoping to find traces of alluvial gold. The nearby city of Orange provides all urban services, including shops, hospitals, schools, and transport links, while Ophir itself retains its quiet pastoral and heritage character with the Macquarie River flowing through the broader region.

Ophir falls under postcode 2800 and is governed by the Cabonne 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
2800
Urban Area
N/A
LGA / Council
Cabonne
Federal Electorate
Calare
State Electorate
Orange
Type
Locality
Timezone
Sydney (UTC+10)
Coordinates
-33.23°, 149.12°
Statistical Area
N/A
Area
146.91 km²
Population Density
1 /km²
Elevation
0m

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💰 Income

ATO taxable income Postcode 2800

Median taxable income for individual taxpayers in postcode 2800, comparing the 2019–20 and 2023–24 financial years.

Median 2019–20
$50,457
Median 2023–24
$62,042
▲ 23.0% increase
Average taxable income (2023–24)
$78,381

Source: ATO Taxation Statistics 2023–24, Individuals Table 8 (median & average taxable income by postcode). Covers all individuals who lodged a return in postcode 2800; postcodes with fewer than 200 lodgments are suppressed by the ATO.

🚌 Transport & Commute

Nearest Train Stations

Orange
27 km
N/A — drive required

Bus Services

  • No local bus service — Orange for regional connections Car required (~25 min to Orange)

Commute to Sydney CBD

Distance
260 km
By Train
Drive to Orange station; NSW TrainLink XPT to Sydney Central (~3 hrs 30 min)
By Car (Peak)
3 hrs 15 min – 3 hrs 45 min
By Car (Off-Peak)
3 hrs – 3 hrs 15 min

🛣️ Access via Mitchell Highway to Orange; Orange is the regional hub with full services

Walkability Almost All Errands Require a Car

No services in Ophir itself; car essential for all daily needs, with Orange 27 km away

🛒 Supermarkets Nearby

No major supermarkets listed for this suburb.

🎓 Schools

👥 Demographics

Census 2016
0
Census 2021
128
▲ 0% growth

Population Growth

Gender Distribution (Census 2021)

📊 Population: ABS Census 2021

🚔 Crime Statistics LGA-wide

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

Break & enter (dwelling)
93.5 / 100k
2yr — 10yr —
Motor vehicle theft
158.3 / 100k
2yr — 10yr —
Non-DV assault
122.3 / 100k
2yr — 10yr —
Robbery (unarmed)
nc / 100k
2yr — 10yr —
Steal from vehicle
57.6 / 100k
2yr — 10yr —
View all 62 offence types for Cabonne →

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

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Nearby Suburbs

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Ophir known for? +

Ophir is famous as the site of Australia's first payable gold discovery, made in February 1851 by Edward Hargraves, John Lister, and William Tom Jr at the confluence of Summer Hill Creek and Lewis Ponds Creek. This discovery triggered the broader Australian gold rushes and transformed the nation's history.

How far is Ophir from Orange? +

Ophir is approximately 27 kilometres north-east of Orange, a drive of around 25–30 minutes via unsealed roads through the Cabonne Shire.

Does Ophir have public transport? +

There is no public transport service to Ophir. The nearest train station is Orange (27 km away), with NSW TrainLink services to Sydney. A car is essential for visiting or living in Ophir.

What is the population of Ophir? +

According to the 2021 Census, Ophir has a population of approximately 128 residents, making it a very small rural locality across its 147 square kilometre area in Cabonne Shire.

Is Ophir a good place to live? +

Ophir suits those who value deep historical significance, rural tranquillity, and wide open central-western NSW landscapes. It is ideal for history enthusiasts, fossickers, and people seeking a remote rural lifestyle with easy access to the full services of Orange nearby.

What is the postcode for Ophir? +

The postcode for Ophir, NSW is 2800, shared with the Orange city area.

Is Ophir a safe area? +

Crime statistics are recorded at the Local Government Area level. Ophir is part of the Cabonne 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.