🔍

Canowindra

NSW 2804 • Rest of NSW

2,437
Population (2021)
$31,668
Median Income
765.38 km²
Area
$220/wk
Median Rent
RuralHistoricAgriculturalQuietAffordable

About Canowindra

Canowindra is a historic rural township in the Central West of New South Wales, situated approximately 40 kilometres south of Orange and around 280 kilometres west of Sydney, within the Cabonne Council area. With a population of 2,437, the town serves as the main centre for the surrounding pastoral and viticultural region, sitting at an elevation of 333 metres on the Belubula River. Household incomes are modest at around $1,099 per week, reflecting the predominantly agricultural and service-sector economy typical of regional NSW towns.

Canowindra is perhaps best known as the hot air ballooning capital of Australia, hosting the annual Age of Fishes Balloon Spectacular, and for the Canowindra Age of Fishes Museum which houses a world-class collection of Devonian fossil fish. The historic streetscape along Gaskill Street features well-preserved 19th-century buildings, and the surrounding Cowra-Orange wine corridor offers cellar doors and produce trails. The town provides essential services including a public school, hospital, supermarket, and community sports facilities, while low rents of around $220 per week make it genuinely affordable. There is no rail service, making a car essential for accessing Orange or further destinations.

Canowindra falls under postcode 2804 and is governed by Cabonne Council (LGA). For state elections, residents vote in the Orange electorate.

📍 Location

State
New South Wales
Postcode
2804
Urban Area
Blayney - Cabonne
LGA / Council
Cabonne
Federal Electorate
Calare
State Electorate
Orange
Type
Urban
Timezone
Sydney (UTC+10)
Coordinates
-33.53°, 148.64°
Statistical Area
Rest of NSW
Area
765.38 km²
Elevation
333m

🚌 Transport & Commute

Bus Services

  • Limited school and community transport only — Orange and surrounding areas 50-60 min to Orange

Commute to Sydney CBD

Distance
280 km
By Train
No direct rail; Orange station (40 km north) has NSW TrainLink services to Sydney (~3.5 hrs)
By Car (Peak)
2 hr 45 min - 3 hr 15 min
By Car (Off-Peak)
2 hr 30 min - 2 hr 45 min

🛣️ Orange is the nearest regional centre (40 km north) for rail connections, hospitals, and major retail. Car is essential for daily life in Canowindra.

Walkability Car-Dependent

The Gaskill Street town centre provides basic walkable amenities, but a car is essential for most errands and accessing services in Orange and beyond.

🛒 Supermarkets Nearby

No major supermarkets listed for this suburb.

🎓 Schools

🏛️ Heritage-Listed Places

There are 3 heritage-listed places in or near Canowindra, listed on the NSW State Heritage Register.

Cliefden
Mandurama • SHR #01827
Escort Rock
The Escort Way, Eugowra • SHR #01827
Cliefden Caves Area Natural and Cultural Landscape
Mandurama • SHR #01996

🔍 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 Canowindra by offence type, year and trend.

📊 View Canowindra Crime Statistics on BOCSAR ↗

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

🏠 Housing 2021 Census

Median Rent (weekly)
$220
Median Mortgage (monthly)
$1,100
Avg Household Size
2.3 people
Median Age
48 years
Social Housing (% of dwellings)
1.5%

14 state housing + 0 community housing dwellings (ABS 2021 Census)

🎓 Educational Institution Attending 2021 Census

School Sector Breakdown

👥 Demographics

Census 2016
2,258
Census 2021
2,437
▲ 7.9% growth

Population Growth

Gender Distribution (Census 2021)

Income 2016
$27,664
Income 2021
$31,668
▲ 14.5% increase

Income Comparison

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

🌍 Country of Birth 2021 Census

Born in Australia 2,001
Born Overseas 155

Top Countries of Birth (excl. Australia)

  • 1. England 33
  • 2. United States 27
  • 3. India 18
  • 4. New Zealand 14
  • 5. China 8
  • 6. Germany 8
  • 7. Thailand 8
  • 8. Nepal 7
  • 9. Ireland 5
  • 10. Philippines 4

🧬 Ancestry 2021 Census

Top ancestries reported (people may report up to two)

Australian 1,018
English 971
Irish 329
Scottish 246
German 112
Australian Aboriginal 83
Italian 33
Chinese 23
Dutch 22
Maltese 20

👨‍👩‍👧 Parents' Birthplace 2021 Census

1,811
Both parents born in Australia
197
Both parents born overseas
151
One parent AU, one overseas

🛐 Religion 2021 Census

Christianity
62.2%
No Religion
24.9%
Hinduism
0.5%
Buddhism
0.3%
Sikhism
0.2%
Islam
0.1%

📊 Age Distribution 2021 Census

0-4 years
120 (4.9%)
5-14 years
302 (12.4%)
15-19 years
146 (6.0%)
20-24 years
102 (4.2%)
25-34 years
207 (8.5%)
35-44 years
229 (9.4%)
45-54 years
299 (12.3%)
55-64 years
366 (15.0%)
65-74 years
358 (14.7%)
75-84 years
227 (9.3%)
85+ years
74 (3.0%)

Nearby Suburbs

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Canowindra known for? +

Canowindra is known as the hot air ballooning capital of Australia, hosting the famous Age of Fishes Balloon Spectacular. It is also home to the Canowindra Age of Fishes Museum, which displays a remarkable collection of Devonian-era fossil fish, and features a well-preserved historic streetscape along Gaskill Street.

How far is Canowindra from Sydney? +

Canowindra is approximately 280 kilometres west of Sydney CBD, a drive of around 2 hours 30 minutes to 3 hours depending on traffic and the route taken via Bathurst or Orange.

Does Canowindra have public transport? +

Canowindra does not have regular passenger rail or coach services. The nearest rail connections are at Orange, approximately 40 kilometres north, which has NSW TrainLink services to Sydney. A car is essential for most residents.

What is the population of Canowindra? +

According to the 2021 Census, Canowindra has a population of 2,437 residents, with a median age of 48. The broader Cabonne LGA is predominantly agricultural and pastoral in character.

Is Canowindra a good place to live? +

Canowindra suits those looking for an affordable, quiet rural lifestyle with genuine country-town character. It offers low median rents ($220/week), a strong community, and proximity to the Orange wine region, but limited employment opportunities and services make it best suited to retirees, remote workers, and those with ties to the agricultural sector.

What is the postcode for Canowindra? +

The postcode for Canowindra, NSW is 2804.