Gilgandra
NSW 2827 • Rest of NSW
About Gilgandra
Gilgandra is a country town in the Orana region of New South Wales, situated 460 kilometres northwest of Sydney at the junction of the Newell, Oxley, and Castlereagh highways. With a population of around 2,980, it serves as the administrative centre of the Gilgandra Shire and a service hub for the surrounding agricultural district. The town sits in a wide bend of the Castlereagh River and is known as the "Town of Windmills" and the home of the famous "Coo-ees" — a 1915 WWI recruitment march. The population is predominantly Australian-born with a significant Indigenous community.
Gilgandra offers a quintessential rural Australian lifestyle centred around farming, community events, and country hospitality. Key attractions include the Gilgandra Observatory and Coo-ee Heritage Centre, with the Warrumbungles National Park a short drive away. The town has essential services including a hospital, schools, sports clubs, and a main street with local shops and cafes. Wheat, cereal crops, sheep, and cattle farming drive the local economy. Families and those seeking affordable rural living appreciate the strong community spirit and wide-open spaces.
Gilgandra falls under postcode 2827 and is governed by Gilgandra Council (LGA). For state elections, residents vote in the Barwon electorate.
Location
Transport & Commute
Nearest Train Stations
Bus Services
- NSW TrainLink Coach — Dubbo 50 mins
- NSW TrainLink Coach — Coonabarabran / Lightning Ridge 1 hour 15 mins
Commute to Sydney
🛣️ Nearest regional centre is Dubbo (66 km). Located at junction of three major highways making it well-connected by road.
Compact main street is walkable but most daily needs require a car; typical of inland rural towns
Supermarkets Nearby
No major supermarkets listed for this suburb.
Schools
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Gilgandra High School ICSEA 849Court St
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Gilgandra Public School ICSEA 815Wrigley St
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20 Wrigley Street
Heritage-Listed Places
There are 2 heritage-listed places in or near Gilgandra, listed on the NSW State Heritage Register.
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 Gilgandra by offence type, year and trend.
📊 View Gilgandra Crime Statistics on BOCSAR ↗Data source: NSW Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research · Search for "Gilgandra" under Suburb
Housing 2021 Census
51 state housing + 17 community housing dwellings (ABS 2021 Census)
Educational Institution Attending 2021 Census
School Sector Breakdown
Demographics
Population Growth
Gender Distribution (Census 2021)
Income Comparison
Country of Birth 2021 Census
Top Countries of Birth (excl. Australia)
- 1. England 26
- 2. Philippines 15
- 3. India 12
- 4. New Zealand 11
- 5. Taiwan 6
- 6. Scotland 5
- 7. Germany 4
- 8. Greece 4
- 9. Netherlands 4
- 10. South Africa 4
Ancestry 2021 Census
Top ancestries reported (people may report up to two)