🔍

Penrose

NSW 2579 • New South Wales

263
Population (2021)
N/A
Median Personal Income
42.89 km²
Area
N/A
Median Rent
RuralLeafyBushlandQuiet

About Penrose

Penrose is a small rural locality nestled in the Southern Highlands of New South Wales, approximately 130 kilometres south-west of Sydney within the Wingecarribee Shire. The 2021 Census recorded a population of 263 residents, making it one of the quieter communities in the region, spread across a 43 square kilometre area of forested tablelands. The median household income is modest, reflecting its rural character and limited commercial activity, with most residents living on rural acreage or small properties.

Penrose is home to a small general store, a café, a rural fire brigade, a primary school, and a working timber mill, giving it a genuine bush-community feel. The nearby Penrose State Forest is a drawcard for walkers, mountain bike riders, and horse riders, and has become a popular location for outdoor events and wedding photography. A station on the NSW TrainLink Southern Highlands Line provides a direct rail link to Sydney and Goulburn, which is unusual for a locality of its size and makes it accessible for those who want to enjoy country life without being entirely off the grid.

Penrose falls under postcode 2579 and is governed by the local council Council (LGA). For state elections, residents vote in the Goulburn electorate.

📍 Location

State
New South Wales
Postcode
2579
Urban Area
N/A
LGA / Council
N/A
Federal Electorate
Whitlam
State Electorate
Goulburn
Type
Locality
Timezone
Sydney (UTC+10)
Coordinates
-34.71°, 150.13°
Statistical Area
N/A
Area
42.89 km²
Elevation
0m

🚌 Transport & Commute

Nearest Train Stations

Penrose
1 km
10-15 min

Bus Services

  • Limited school bus services — Moss Vale / Bowral 30-40 min

Commute to Sydney CBD

Distance
130 km
By Train
Approx. 2h to Central Station via Southern Highlands Line
By Car (Peak)
1h 45min - 2h 15min
By Car (Off-Peak)
1h 30min - 1h 45min

🛣️ Direct rail access to Sydney via Penrose station; Hume Highway accessible via nearby Marulan

Walkability Almost All Errands Require a Car

Penrose has minimal walkable amenities; a car is essential for most daily needs beyond the village general store

🛒 Supermarkets Nearby

No major supermarkets listed for this suburb.

🎓 Schools

👥 Demographics

Census 2016
0
Census 2021
263
▲ 0% growth

Population Growth

Gender Distribution (Census 2021)

Personal Income 2016
N/A
Personal Income 2021
N/A
▲ 0% increase

Personal Income Comparison (2016 vs 2021)

📊 Population: ABS Census 2021
💰 Income: ABS Census 2021

Nearby Suburbs

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Penrose known for? +

Penrose is known for its forested rural setting in the Southern Highlands, Penrose State Forest — popular for walking, mountain biking, and horse riding — and its working timber mill. It also has a rare train station for a community its size, offering a direct rail link to Sydney.

How far is Penrose from Sydney CBD? +

Penrose is approximately 130 kilometres south-west of Sydney CBD, roughly a 1.5 to 2 hour drive depending on traffic. By train via the NSW TrainLink Southern Highlands Line, the journey takes around 2 hours.

Does Penrose have public transport? +

Yes — unusually for its size, Penrose has its own railway station on the NSW TrainLink Southern Highlands Line, with services to Sydney Central, Goulburn, and intermediate stops. Bus services are limited to school routes; a car is recommended for daily errands.

What is the population of Penrose? +

According to the 2021 Census, Penrose has a population of 263 residents. The locality covers approximately 43 square kilometres in the Southern Highlands, making it sparsely settled with a quiet, rural character.

Is Penrose a good place to live? +

Penrose suits those seeking a peaceful, affordable bushland lifestyle in the Southern Highlands with a genuine community feel. The presence of a primary school, general store, and railway station makes it more self-sufficient than many localities of its size, though most amenities require a trip to nearby Moss Vale or Bowral.

What is the postcode for Penrose? +

The postcode for Penrose, NSW is 2579.