🔍

Drake

NSW 2469 • New South Wales

244
Population (2021)
N/A
Median Income
283.32 km²
Area
N/A
Median Rent
RuralRemoteHistoricQuiet

About Drake

Drake is a small rural locality on the Bruxner Highway in the Tenterfield Shire, situated approximately 44 kilometres east of Tenterfield and around 800 kilometres north of Sydney in New South Wales's Northern Tablelands region. With a population of 244 residents at the 2021 Census, Drake is a sparsely settled community spread across roughly 283 square kilometres of hilly bushland and farming land. The locality experienced a significant population decline from 345 in 2016, reflecting broader rural depopulation trends across the Northern Tablelands.

Drake has a rich history rooted in the gold rush era — gold was discovered near Newmans Pinch in 1858, sparking a brief but significant boom that shaped the area's early character. Today it is a quiet, self-sufficient rural community with a relaxed pace of life suited to those seeking solitude and connection with the land. The surrounding landscape of forested ridges and creek valleys offers bushwalking and nature experiences, and the Bruxner Highway provides access to Tenterfield's services and the wider New England region.

Drake falls under postcode 2469 and is governed by the local council Council (LGA). For state elections, residents vote in the Lismore electorate.

📍 Location

State
New South Wales
Postcode
2469
Urban Area
N/A
LGA / Council
N/A
Federal Electorate
Page
State Electorate
Lismore
Type
Locality
Timezone
Sydney (UTC+10)
Coordinates
-29.34°, 153.00°
Statistical Area
N/A
Area
283.32 km²
Elevation
0m

🚌 Transport & Commute

Bus Services

  • Limited regional services — Tenterfield / Casino Varies

Commute to Sydney CBD

Distance
800 km
By Train
No direct train service; nearest station is Casino (74km east)
By Car (Peak)
8-9 hours
By Car (Off-Peak)
8-9 hours

🛣️ Drake is a remote rural locality; a car is essential for all travel

Walkability Almost All Errands Require a Car

Drake has no commercial services; all errands require driving to Tenterfield or Casino

🛒 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 Drake by offence type, year and trend.

📊 View Drake Crime Statistics on BOCSAR ↗

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

👥 Demographics

Census 2016
0
Census 2021
244
▲ 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

What is Drake NSW known for? +

Drake is known for its gold rush history, with gold discovered near Newmans Pinch in 1858, drawing a wave of prospectors to the area. Today it is a quiet rural locality valued for its peaceful landscapes and the Bruxner Highway connection to the Northern Tablelands.

How far is Drake from Sydney? +

Drake is approximately 800 kilometres north of Sydney, making it around an 8-9 hour drive. It is more practically accessed via the nearby regional centres of Tenterfield (44km west) and Casino (74km east).

Does Drake have public transport? +

Drake has no rail service. Limited regional bus connections exist to Tenterfield and Casino, but a private vehicle is essential for day-to-day life.

What is the population of Drake? +

According to the 2021 Census, Drake has a population of 244 residents, down from 345 in 2016, reflecting ongoing rural depopulation trends in the Northern Tablelands region.

Is Drake a good place to live? +

Drake suits those seeking a deeply rural lifestyle with space, solitude, and natural surroundings. It is best suited to people comfortable with limited local services and long drives to town, in exchange for a quiet, unhurried way of life.

What is the postcode for Drake NSW? +

The postcode for Drake, New South Wales is 2469.