🔍

Rock Forest

NSW 2795 • New South Wales

149
Population (2021)
N/A
Median Personal Income
92.40 km²
Area
N/A
Median Rent
RuralAgriculturalHistoricSemi-Rural

About Rock Forest

Rock Forest is a rural locality in the Central Tablelands of New South Wales, situated within the Bathurst Regional Council area approximately 25 kilometres north-west of Bathurst and 35 kilometres from Orange. The locality covers around 92 square kilometres of mixed grazing and light-timber country, with a 2021 Census population of 149 residents. Its position between two of regional New South Wales's most significant inland cities gives Rock Forest a strategic rural character, with a median income broadly in line with similar agricultural localities in the region.

The countryside around Rock Forest is gently undulating to level pastoral land, used predominantly for grazing and lifestyle properties. Residents benefit from access to two well-serviced regional cities -- Bathurst to the south-east and Orange to the north-west -- both offering hospitals, universities, secondary schools, supermarkets, and diverse dining and retail options. The area is well known to those interested in Australian goldfields history, with Ophir -- the site of Australia's first payable gold discovery in 1851 -- located nearby off the Ophir Road.

Rock Forest falls under postcode 2795 and is governed by the local council Council (LGA). For state elections, residents vote in the Orange electorate.

📍 Location

State
New South Wales
Postcode
2795
Urban Area
N/A
LGA / Council
N/A
Federal Electorate
Calare
State Electorate
Orange
Type
Locality
Timezone
Sydney (UTC+10)
Coordinates
-33.82°, 149.47°
Statistical Area
N/A
Area
92.40 km²
Elevation
0m

🚌 Transport & Commute

Bus Services

  • Limited or no scheduled services — Bathurst / Orange Approx. 25-35 min by road to Bathurst

Commute to Sydney CBD

Distance
210 km
By Train
No direct service; Bathurst station (~25 km) connects to Sydney via Main Western Line (~2.5-3 hr)
By Car (Peak)
3-3.5 hr via Great Western Highway
By Car (Off-Peak)
2.5-3 hr

🛣️ Ophir goldfields site is nearby; Bathurst and Orange both within 35 km for full services

Walkability Almost All Errands Require a Car

No walkable shops or services within Rock Forest; Bathurst and Orange provide all daily needs

🛒 Supermarkets Nearby

No major supermarkets listed for this suburb.

🎓 Schools

👥 Demographics

Census 2016
0
Census 2021
149
▲ 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 Rock Forest known for? +

Rock Forest is known for its location near the Ophir goldfields, the site of Australia's first payable gold discovery in 1851. Today it is a quiet rural locality popular for grazing properties and lifestyle blocks between Bathurst and Orange.

How far is Rock Forest from Bathurst? +

Rock Forest is approximately 25 kilometres north-west of Bathurst, making it around a 25-30 minute drive via Ophir Road or the Mitchell Highway.

Does Rock Forest have public transport? +

There is no regular bus or rail service to Rock Forest. Residents use private vehicles; Bathurst, approximately 25 km away, has a train station with services to Sydney on the Main Western Line.

What is the population of Rock Forest? +

The 2021 Census recorded a population of 149 residents in Rock Forest, living across approximately 92 square kilometres of Central Tablelands grazing country.

Is Rock Forest a good place to live? +

Rock Forest offers a quiet rural lifestyle with excellent access to the services of both Bathurst and Orange. It suits those seeking space and a country atmosphere while staying within commuting range of two well-equipped regional cities.

What is the postcode for Rock Forest? +

The postcode for Rock Forest is 2795, shared with Bathurst and surrounding Central Tablelands localities.