🔍

Hillston

NSW 2675 • Rest of NSW

1,547
Population (2021)
$44,304
Median Income
3985.58 km²
Area
$220/wk
Median Rent
RuralRemoteAgriculturalOutbackRiverside

About Hillston

Hillston is a remote rural town on the banks of the Lachlan River in western New South Wales, serving as the administrative centre of Carrathool Shire approximately 683 kilometres west of Sydney and 110 kilometres north of Griffith. Founded in 1863, the town had a 2021 Census population of 1,547 with a relatively young median age of 36. The local economy is anchored by irrigation agriculture, dryland cropping, and sheep grazing, with the Lachlan River supporting farming across the surrounding plains of this vast shire covering nearly 4,000 square kilometres.

Hillston provides the essential services of a remote rural service town — supermarkets, schools, a local hospital, sporting clubs, and fuel — serving both the township and the broader pastoral communities of the district. The Lachlan River offers fishing and recreational activities, and the town has a genuine outback character with wide streets, community spirit, and a pace of life quite different from the coast. Public transport connections are very limited, and residents rely on private vehicles for access to regional centres; the Lachlan Valley Way connects the town to Griffith to the south and other outback communities beyond.

Hillston falls under postcode 2675 and is governed by Carrathool Council (LGA). For state elections, residents vote in the Murray electorate.

📍 Location

State
New South Wales
Postcode
2675
Urban Area
N/A
LGA / Council
Carrathool
Federal Electorate
Farrer
State Electorate
Murray
Type
Rural
Timezone
Sydney (UTC+10)
Coordinates
-33.44°, 145.40°
Statistical Area
Rest of NSW
Area
3985.58 km²
Elevation
114m

🚌 Transport & Commute

Bus Services

  • NSW TrainLink coach (limited) — Griffith / Sydney 1.5 hr to Griffith; ~8 hr to Sydney

Commute to Sydney CBD

Distance
683 km
By Train
No direct rail service; coach to Griffith then connecting services
By Car (Peak)
7-8 hr
By Car (Off-Peak)
7 hr

🛣️ Griffith (110km south) is the nearest major service centre; car is essential for all daily needs

Walkability Car-Dependent

Small town with a compact centre where local shops are walkable, but most errands and all regional travel require a car

🛒 Supermarkets Nearby

No major supermarkets listed for this suburb.

🎓 Schools

🏛️ Heritage-Listed Places

There is 1 heritage-listed place in or near Hillston, listed on the NSW State Heritage Register.

Willandra Homestead
Willandra National Park • SHR #01009

🔍 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 Hillston by offence type, year and trend.

📊 View Hillston Crime Statistics on BOCSAR ↗

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

🏠 Housing 2021 Census

Median Rent (weekly)
$220
Median Mortgage (monthly)
$901
Avg Household Size
2.4 people
Median Age
36 years
Social Housing (% of dwellings)
3.8%

13 state housing + 7 community housing dwellings (ABS 2021 Census)

🎓 Educational Institution Attending 2021 Census

School Sector Breakdown

👥 Demographics

Census 2016
1,465
Census 2021
1,547
▲ 5.6% growth

Population Growth

Gender Distribution (Census 2021)

Income 2016
$34,112
Income 2021
$44,304
▲ 29.9% increase

Income Comparison

📊 Population: ABS Census 2021
💰 Income: ABS Census 2021

🌍 Country of Birth 2021 Census

Born in Australia 1,055
Born Overseas 287

Top Countries of Birth (excl. Australia)

  • 1. India 60
  • 2. Malaysia 34
  • 3. Fiji 23
  • 4. South Korea 18
  • 5. England 14
  • 6. South Africa 13
  • 7. Italy 9
  • 8. New Zealand 8
  • 9. China 6
  • 10. Philippines 6

🧬 Ancestry 2021 Census

Top ancestries reported (people may report up to two)

Australian 559
English 511
Australian Aboriginal 157
Irish 136
Scottish 128
German 61
Indian 40
Italian 34
Korean 22
Chinese 12

👨‍👩‍👧 Parents' Birthplace 2021 Census

925
Both parents born in Australia
315
Both parents born overseas
102
One parent AU, one overseas

🛐 Religion 2021 Census

Christianity
51.6%
No Religion
28.4%
Hinduism
2.5%
Sikhism
2.1%
Islam
1.8%
Buddhism
0.5%

📊 Age Distribution 2021 Census

0-4 years
101 (6.5%)
5-14 years
184 (11.9%)
15-19 years
56 (3.6%)
20-24 years
90 (5.8%)
25-34 years
309 (20.0%)
35-44 years
185 (12.0%)
45-54 years
189 (12.2%)
55-64 years
192 (12.4%)
65-74 years
127 (8.2%)
75-84 years
72 (4.7%)
85+ years
44 (2.8%)

Nearby Suburbs

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Hillston known for? +

Hillston is known as a remote western NSW town on the Lachlan River, serving as the hub of Carrathool Shire's vast pastoral and irrigation farming district. The town has a long history dating to 1863 and an authentic outback character that attracts those seeking a rural lifestyle.

How far is Hillston from Sydney? +

Hillston is approximately 683 kilometres west of Sydney, roughly a 7–8 hour drive. The nearest significant regional centre is Griffith, 110 kilometres to the south, which is about a 1.5-hour drive.

Does Hillston have public transport? +

Public transport to Hillston is very limited. There is no passenger rail service, and coach connections via NSW TrainLink to Griffith and onwards to Sydney are infrequent. A private vehicle is essential for living and working in Hillston.

What is the population of Hillston? +

According to the 2021 Census, Hillston has a population of 1,547 residents. Despite its remote location, the town has a younger-than-average median age of 36, reflecting the working families and agricultural workers who make up the community.

Is Hillston a good place to live? +

Hillston suits those seeking a genuine rural lifestyle, with affordable housing, a strong community spirit, and outdoor recreational activities on the Lachlan River. It is best suited to those already connected to the agricultural sector or who value outback living over urban convenience.

What is the postcode for Hillston? +

The postcode for Hillston is 2675.