🔍

Glen Davis

NSW 2846 • New South Wales

106
Population (2021)
N/A
Median Income
358.47 km²
Area
N/A
Median Rent
RuralHistoricRemotePeaceful

About Glen Davis

Glen Davis is a remote rural village in the Central Tablelands of New South Wales, located approximately 80 kilometres north of Lithgow within the Capertee Valley and the City of Lithgow local government area. The locality covers a vast 358 square kilometres of sandstone escarpment, eucalypt woodland, and valley floor, and is surrounded on most sides by Wollemi National Park. With a 2021 Census population of 106, Glen Davis is one of the most isolated permanently settled localities in New South Wales, accessible via a road off the Castlereagh Highway that is partly unsealed.

Glen Davis has a fascinating industrial history as the site of Australia's first large-scale oil shale extraction operation, which ran from 1940 to 1952. The ruins of the Glen Davis Shale Oil Works are now a listed heritage site and a tourist attraction, drawing history enthusiasts and photographers. Today the village offers basic accommodation and a campground at the former townsite parkland, and serves as a base for bushwalkers exploring Wollemi National Park and the popular Pipeline Pass walk to Newnes in the Wolgan Valley. The Capertee Valley is also internationally recognised as one of Australia's premier birdwatching destinations.

Glen Davis falls under postcode 2846 and is governed by City of Lithgow Council (LGA). For state elections, residents vote in the Bathurst electorate.

📍 Location

State
New South Wales
Postcode
2846
Urban Area
N/A
LGA / Council
City of Lithgow
Federal Electorate
Calare
State Electorate
Bathurst
Type
Locality
Timezone
Sydney (UTC+10)
Coordinates
-33.07°, 150.12°
Statistical Area
N/A
Area
358.47 km²
Elevation
0m

🚌 Transport & Commute

Commute to Sydney CBD

Distance
210 km
By Train
No direct service; drive to Lithgow then NSW TrainLink to Central (approx. 2 hrs 30 min by train)
By Car (Peak)
3 hrs
By Car (Off-Peak)
2 hrs 45 min

🛣️ Road access via Glen Davis Road off Castlereagh Highway; road is partly unsealed; no public transport

Walkability Almost All Errands Require a Car

Extremely remote village with no local shops or services; all errands require a long drive

🛒 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 Glen Davis by offence type, year and trend.

📊 View Glen Davis Crime Statistics on BOCSAR ↗

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

👥 Demographics

Census 2016
0
Census 2021
106
▲ 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 Glen Davis known for? +

Glen Davis is known for the ruins of the Glen Davis Shale Oil Works, Australia's first large-scale shale oil operation (1940–1952), which are now a heritage tourist attraction. The village is also a popular base for bushwalking in Wollemi National Park and for birdwatching in the internationally renowned Capertee Valley.

How far is Glen Davis from Sydney? +

Glen Davis is approximately 210 kilometres north-west of Sydney CBD, a drive of around 2 hours 45 minutes to 3 hours via the Great Western Highway and Castlereagh Highway.

Does Glen Davis have public transport? +

There is no public transport service to Glen Davis. The nearest train station is Lithgow, approximately 80 kilometres to the south on the NSW TrainLink Main West Line. Access is by private vehicle only, partly on unsealed road.

What is the population of Glen Davis? +

According to the 2021 Census, Glen Davis has a population of 106 residents, a significant decline from its peak during the shale oil era when it was a planned industrial town of several hundred workers and families.

Is Glen Davis a good place to live? +

Glen Davis suits those seeking an extremely remote, self-sufficient lifestyle surrounded by national park wilderness. It has no local shops or services, and Lithgow is a long drive away for everyday needs, but the natural scenery and heritage character are exceptional.

What is the postcode for Glen Davis? +

The postcode for Glen Davis is 2846, which it shares with Capertee and other localities in the Capertee Valley area.