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Rock Valley

NSW 2480 • New South Wales

266
Population (2021)
N/A
Median Personal Income
37.61 km²
Area
N/A
Median Rent
RuralHinterlandPeacefulSemi-Rural
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About Rock Valley

Rock Valley is a scenic rural locality in the Northern Rivers region of New South Wales, situated approximately 15.5 kilometres north of Lismore within the City of Lismore local government area. Spread across around 38 square kilometres of hilly hinterland country, the locality sits close to the Bungabee State Forest to its west. With a population of 266 at the 2021 Census, Rock Valley is a small and characterful community nestled in the rolling green hills between Lismore and the Kyogle area.

Rock Valley is perhaps best known as home to what is claimed to be Australia's smallest post office, and the locality's general store offers local food, arts, and crafts to residents and visitors alike. The area is a scenic 25-minute drive from Lismore and around 30 minutes from the colourful village of Nimbin, making it appealing for those who want a rural lifestyle within reach of Northern Rivers services and culture. The surrounding countryside, state forests, and rural community character attract residents seeking an alternative, low-key lifestyle in NSW's Far North Coast hinterland.

Rock Valley falls under postcode 2480 and is governed by the Lismore Council (Local Government Area). For federal elections, residents vote in the electorate of Richmond, while state elections fall under the Lismore electorate.

📍 Location

State
New South Wales
Postcode
2480
Urban Area
N/A
LGA / Council
Lismore
Federal Electorate
Richmond
State Electorate
Lismore
Type
Locality
Timezone
Sydney (UTC+10)
Coordinates
-28.71°, 153.26°
Statistical Area
N/A
Area
37.61 km²
Population Density
7 /km²
Elevation
0m

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🏷️ Property Prices 2025

Median sale prices in Rock Valley for 2025. Based on every residential settlement recorded by the NSW Valuer General in 2025.

🏡House
$750K
5 sales · vs 2024 n/a

Source: NSW Valuer General — Property Sales Information. Strata-titled sales are counted as units; all others as houses. Suburbs with fewer than 5 sales in a category are omitted.

💰 Income

ATO taxable income Postcode 2480

Median taxable income for individual taxpayers in postcode 2480, comparing the 2019–20 and 2023–24 financial years.

Median 2019–20
$41,443
Median 2023–24
$50,499
▲ 21.9% increase
Average taxable income (2023–24)
$60,215

Source: ATO Taxation Statistics 2023–24, Individuals Table 8 (median & average taxable income by postcode). Covers all individuals who lodged a return in postcode 2480; postcodes with fewer than 200 lodgments are suppressed by the ATO.

🚌 Transport & Commute

Bus Services

  • Limited local services — Lismore 25-30 min

Commute to Brisbane CBD

Distance
175 km
By Train
No direct rail from Rock Valley; drive to Lismore then bus/coach to Brisbane (~3 hrs)
By Car (Peak)
2 hr – 2 hr 30 min
By Car (Off-Peak)
1 hr 45 min – 2 hr 15 min

🛣️ Car essential; Lismore is the primary service hub ~15.5 km south

Walkability Almost All Errands Require a Car

A rural hinterland locality — the general store is the only local facility; a car is needed for virtually all errands

🛒 Supermarkets Nearby

No major supermarkets listed for this suburb.

🎓 Schools

👥 Demographics

Census 2016
0
Census 2021
266
▲ 0% growth

Population Growth

Gender Distribution (Census 2021)

📊 Population: ABS Census 2021

🚔 Crime Statistics LGA-wide

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

Break & enter (dwelling)
406.6 / 100k
2yr Down 43.5% 10yr Stable
Motor vehicle theft
292.4 / 100k
2yr Stable 10yr Up 3.1%
Non-DV assault
714.9 / 100k
2yr Stable 10yr Stable
Robbery (unarmed)
22.8 / 100k
2yr — 10yr —
Steal from vehicle
347.2 / 100k
2yr Stable 10yr Down 5.3%
View all 62 offence types for Lismore →

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

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is Rock Valley known for? +

Rock Valley is known for its peaceful hinterland setting and is reputed to be home to Australia's smallest post office. The locality also has a general store offering local produce, arts, and crafts, and is a scenic detour route between Lismore and Kyogle.

How far is Rock Valley from Lismore? +

Rock Valley is approximately 15.5 kilometres north of Lismore, a scenic drive of around 25 minutes through the Northern Rivers hinterland.

Does Rock Valley have public transport? +

Rock Valley has very limited public transport. There is no railway station and bus services are infrequent. Most residents rely on private vehicles, with Lismore being the nearest centre for shopping and services.

What is the population of Rock Valley? +

According to the 2021 Census, Rock Valley had a population of 266 residents across an area of approximately 38 square kilometres of Northern Rivers hinterland in the City of Lismore.

Is Rock Valley a good place to live? +

Rock Valley is well-suited to those seeking a quiet rural lifestyle in the lush Northern Rivers hinterland, with Lismore's services accessible within 25 minutes and the iconic village of Nimbin just 30 minutes away. It appeals to alternative lifestylers, small farmers, and those wanting to escape urban density.

What is the postcode for Rock Valley? +

The postcode for Rock Valley, New South Wales is 2480.

What is the median house price in Rock Valley? +

As of 2025, the median house price is $750,000. Figures are based on NSW Valuer General — Property Sales Information.

Is Rock Valley a safe area? +

Crime statistics are recorded at the Local Government Area level. Rock Valley is part of the Lismore 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.