Forbes River
NSW 2446 • New South Wales
About Forbes River
Forbes River is a small rural locality in the Port Macquarie–Hastings area of New South Wales's Mid North Coast, taking its name from the Forbes River, a significant tributary of the upper Hastings River system. The locality covers 218.5 square kilometres of forested mountain country and farming land in the hinterland west of Port Macquarie and recorded a population of just 20 at the 2021 census. The Forbes River flows through remote ranges and valleys in the area broadly between Wauchope and the Manning Valley watershed, draining the rugged coastal ranges that separate the mid-coast from the New England Tablelands. The landscape is characterised by tall eucalypt forest, clear mountain streams and the deeply dissected terrain typical of NSW's north coast hinterland ranges.
Forbes River's tiny resident community is engaged in cattle grazing, small-scale forestry and rural residential living in one of the Mid North Coast's most isolated hinterland localities. Wauchope (approximately 30–40 kilometres to the south-east) is the nearest service town, offering basic retail, schools and the Wauchope railway station on the NSW North Coast Line. Port Macquarie (approximately 60 kilometres east) is the regional city with a full range of urban services, a hospital, the Port Macquarie Airport and the region's main coastal attractions. The surrounding state forests and national parks provide exceptional wildlife habitat and are popular with bushwalkers and hunters accessing the remote mid-coast ranges.
Forbes River falls under postcode 2446 and is governed by the local council Council (LGA). For state elections, residents vote in the Port Macquarie electorate.
Location
Transport & Commute
Nearest Train Stations
Commute to Sydney CBD
🛣️ Wauchope (~38 km) and Port Macquarie (~60 km) are the service centres. Roads into the locality may be rough and unsealed. Seasonal creek crossings can be impassable after heavy rain.
Forbes River has no local amenities whatsoever. A reliable vehicle, preferably high-clearance, is essential. All services require a lengthy drive to Wauchope or Port Macquarie.
Supermarkets Nearby
No major supermarkets listed for this suburb.
Schools
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Long Flat Public School ICSEA 8876587 4255 5077 Oxley Highway
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Beechwood Public School ICSEA 9596585 6136 614 Beechwood Road
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Huntingdon Public School ICSEA 8386585 6144 2876 Oxley Highway
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4 Avondale Street
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Wauchope High School ICSEA 8946585 1400 Nelson St
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Wauchope Public School ICSEA 9006585 2277 Waugh St
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 Forbes River by offence type, year and trend.
📊 View Forbes River Crime Statistics on BOCSAR ↗Data source: NSW Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research · Search for "Forbes River" under Suburb