🔍

Backwater

NSW 2365 • New South Wales

19
Population (2021)
N/A
Median Income
126.35 km²
Area
N/A
Median Rent
RuralAffordable

About Backwater

Backwater is a sparsely populated rural locality on the Northern Tablelands of New South Wales, situated approximately 25 kilometres north-west of Guyra and within the New England region. With only around 19 residents recorded in the 2021 Census, Backwater covers a large area of approximately 126 square kilometres of high-altitude grazing land. The locality sits at elevations exceeding 1,200 metres, making it one of the coldest rural areas in New South Wales, subject to frosts and occasional snowfall in winter.

The community in Backwater consists primarily of farming families engaged in sheep and cattle grazing, taking advantage of the fertile basalt soils and reliable rainfall of the New England Tablelands. There are no commercial services within the locality; residents travel to Guyra or Armidale for supplies, schools, and medical care. The dramatic highland scenery, clean air, and solitude attract a small number of rural lifestyle seekers looking for an alternative to coastal or urban living.

Backwater falls under postcode 2365 and is governed by the local council Council (LGA). For state elections, residents vote in the Northern Tablelands electorate.

📍 Location

State
New South Wales
Postcode
2365
Urban Area
N/A
LGA / Council
N/A
Federal Electorate
Parkes
State Electorate
Northern Tablelands
Type
Locality
Timezone
Sydney (UTC+10)
Coordinates
-30.12°, 151.67°
Statistical Area
N/A
Area
126.35 km²
Elevation
0m

🚌 Transport & Commute

Commute to Sydney CBD

Distance
500 km
By Train
No rail; closest services at Armidale (coach/air)
By Car (Peak)
25-30 min to Guyra; 40-50 min to Armidale; 6 hours to Sydney
By Car (Off-Peak)
25 min to Guyra

🛣️ Car essential; New England Highway passes through nearby Guyra

Walkability Car-Dependent

Remote rural highland locality with no services or public transport

🛒 Supermarkets Nearby

No major supermarkets listed for this suburb.

🎓 Schools

🔍 Crime Statistics

NSW crime data is provided by the Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research (BOCSAR). Use the interactive tool below to explore recorded crime incidents in Backwater by offence type, year and trend.

📊 View Backwater Crime Statistics on BOCSAR ↗

Data source: NSW Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research · Search for "Backwater" under Suburb

👥 Demographics

Census 2016
0
Census 2021
19
▲ 0% growth

Population Growth

Gender Distribution (Census 2021)

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

Income Comparison

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

Nearby Suburbs

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is Backwater NSW? +

Backwater is a small rural locality on the Northern Tablelands of NSW, about 25 km north-west of Guyra and within the New England region.

What is the population of Backwater NSW? +

Backwater had just 19 residents according to the 2021 Census, making it one of the smallest localities in New South Wales.

What is the climate like in Backwater NSW? +

Backwater sits at high altitude on the New England Tablelands, experiencing cool summers and cold winters with regular frosts and occasional snowfall.