🔍

Emmaville

NSW 2371 • New South Wales

505
Population (2021)
N/A
Median Income
618.75 km²
Area
N/A
Median Rent
RuralHistoricRemoteMining HistoryNew England

About Emmaville

Emmaville is a small historic town in New South Wales' Northern Tablelands, sitting at an elevation of 890 metres in the New England region within the Glen Innes Severn Council area, approximately 45 kilometres north-west of Glen Innes and 662 kilometres north-north-east of Sydney. With a population of around 505 residents spread across a very large locality of over 618 square kilometres, it is a sparsely settled highland community surrounded by pastoral grazing country. Originally known as Vegetable Creek — named for the Chinese market gardens that flourished during the tin mining boom of the 1870s — the town was renamed Emmaville in 1882 after Emma Greville, wife of then-Governor Lord Augustus Loftus.

Emmaville's history is deeply tied to tin mining, which began at nearby Strathbogie Station in 1872 and once supported a population of around 7,000, including a significant Chinese community. The Ottery arsenic mine, preserved near the town, stands as a fascinating reminder of the area's complex industrial past, while the historic post office and war memorial reflect the community's colonial and wartime heritage. Today the town retains a quiet country character, supported by the Vegetable Creek Hospital, a local school, and community facilities serving the broader pastoral district. The surrounding New England highland landscape offers wide open grazing country, clean air, and a deeply authentic outback feel.

Emmaville falls under postcode 2371 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
2371
Urban Area
N/A
LGA / Council
N/A
Federal Electorate
Page
State Electorate
Northern Tablelands
Type
Locality
Timezone
Sydney (UTC+10)
Coordinates
-29.37°, 151.81°
Statistical Area
N/A
Area
618.75 km²
Elevation
0m

🚌 Transport & Commute

Bus Services

  • NSW TrainLink coach services — Glen Innes / Inverell ~45 min to Glen Innes

Commute to Sydney CBD

Distance
662 km
By Train
No direct service; nearest TrainLink connection at Glen Innes (~45 km); ~10+ hr journey to Sydney
By Car (Peak)
~7 hr to Sydney CBD
By Car (Off-Peak)
~6 hr 30 min to Sydney CBD

🛣️ Remote location on the Northern Tablelands; access via Gwydir Highway and New England Highway; car essential

Walkability Almost All Errands Require a Car

Emmaville is a small remote highland town where a car is needed for most daily needs beyond the immediate township

🛒 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 Emmaville by offence type, year and trend.

📊 View Emmaville Crime Statistics on BOCSAR ↗

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

👥 Demographics

Census 2016
0
Census 2021
505
▲ 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 Emmaville known for? +

Emmaville is best known for its rich tin mining history, which began in 1872 and once drew a population of around 7,000 including a large Chinese community. The town was originally called Vegetable Creek and is notable for the Ottery arsenic mine and its well-preserved heritage streetscape including the historic post office and war memorial.

How far is Emmaville from Sydney? +

Emmaville is approximately 662 kilometres north-north-east of Sydney CBD, making it around a 6.5 to 7 hour drive via the New England Highway. It is significantly closer to Brisbane at approximately 271 kilometres south-west.

Does Emmaville have public transport? +

There is no passenger rail service to Emmaville. NSW TrainLink coach services connect the area to Glen Innes (approximately 45 km south-east), which has the nearest rail connection. A car is essential for residents.

What is the population of Emmaville? +

According to the 2021 Census, Emmaville has a population of approximately 505 residents, a stark contrast to its early 1900s peak of around 7,000 during the tin mining era.

Is Emmaville a good place to live? +

Emmaville suits those drawn to a remote, authentic New England highland lifestyle with a strong sense of history and community. The town is quiet and self-contained, but residents must be comfortable with limited services and long drives to regional centres for major shopping, medical, or educational needs.

What is the postcode for Emmaville? +

The postcode for Emmaville, New South Wales is 2371.