🔍

Holbrook

NSW 2644 • Rest of NSW

1,650
Population (2021)
$32,656
Median Income
450.06 km²
Area
$185/wk
Median Rent
RuralHistoricAgriculturalQuietCommuter Belt

About Holbrook

Holbrook is a rural town in the Snowy Mountains region of southern New South Wales, situated on the Hume Highway approximately 100 kilometres north of Albury-Wodonga and 440 kilometres south of Sydney within the Greater Hume Shire local government area. With a population of 1,650 at the 2021 Census, it serves as the main service centre for the surrounding sheep and cattle grazing country of the Upper Murray district. The suburb's median age of 51 and modest weekly household income of $1,101 reflect a typical regional town character, with a high proportion of Australian-born residents with Anglo-Celtic ancestry.

Holbrook is best known for its striking centrepiece: a decommissioned Royal Australian Navy submarine, HMAS Otway, displayed in the town's Submarine Park as a nod to its wartime connection with British submarine commander Holbrook VC. The town's main street offers essential services, cafes, petrol stations, and accommodation catering to travellers on the busy Sydney–Melbourne route. Holbrook District Hospital provides local health services, and the area supports primary and secondary schooling for the district. The surrounding landscape of rolling farmland, spring wildflowers, and proximity to the Murray River corridor makes it an appealing base for those who embrace a quiet, self-sufficient country lifestyle.

Holbrook falls under postcode 2644 and is governed by Greater Hume Shire Council (LGA). For state elections, residents vote in the Albury electorate.

📍 Location

State
New South Wales
Postcode
2644
Urban Area
Upper Murray
LGA / Council
Greater Hume Shire
Federal Electorate
Farrer
State Electorate
Albury
Type
Urban
Timezone
Sydney (UTC+10)
Coordinates
-35.68°, 147.29°
Statistical Area
Rest of NSW
Area
450.06 km²
Elevation
254m

🚌 Transport & Commute

Bus Services

  • NSW TrainLink coach services — Albury / Sydney / Melbourne (via Hume Highway stops) ~1 hr 30 min to Albury; ~6 hrs to Sydney

Commute to Sydney CBD

Distance
440 km
By Train
No direct rail; NSW TrainLink coach to Albury then XPT train (6 hrs+ total journey)
By Car (Peak)
4 hrs 30 min – 5 hrs
By Car (Off-Peak)
4 hrs – 4 hrs 30 min

🛣️ Hume Highway (M31) passes through the town, providing direct road links to Sydney and Melbourne

Walkability Car-Dependent

The main street is walkable for daily errands within the town, but a car is required for most services and travel beyond Holbrook

🛒 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 Holbrook by offence type, year and trend.

📊 View Holbrook Crime Statistics on BOCSAR ↗

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

🏠 Housing 2021 Census

Median Rent (weekly)
$185
Median Mortgage (monthly)
$1,170
Avg Household Size
2.2 people
Median Age
51 years
Social Housing (% of dwellings)
2.7%

8 state housing + 10 community housing dwellings (ABS 2021 Census)

🎓 Educational Institution Attending 2021 Census

School Sector Breakdown

👥 Demographics

Census 2016
1,715
Census 2021
1,650
▼ 3.8% decline

Population Growth

Gender Distribution (Census 2021)

Income 2016
$29,224
Income 2021
$32,656
▲ 11.7% increase

Income Comparison

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

🌍 Country of Birth 2021 Census

Born in Australia 1,389
Born Overseas 95

Top Countries of Birth (excl. Australia)

  • 1. England 24
  • 2. India 19
  • 3. New Zealand 10
  • 4. Philippines 7
  • 5. Germany 6
  • 6. Malta 4
  • 7. Netherlands 4
  • 8. Malaysia 3
  • 9. United States 3

🧬 Ancestry 2021 Census

Top ancestries reported (people may report up to two)

Australian 713
English 659
Scottish 211
Irish 187
German 88
Australian Aboriginal 50
Italian 21
Dutch 16
Indian 10
Serbian 9

👨‍👩‍👧 Parents' Birthplace 2021 Census

1,260
Both parents born in Australia
122
Both parents born overseas
97
One parent AU, one overseas

🛐 Religion 2021 Census

Christianity
55.8%
No Religion
31.5%
Hinduism
1.2%
Buddhism
0.5%
Judaism
0.2%

📊 Age Distribution 2021 Census

0-4 years
83 (5.0%)
5-14 years
172 (10.4%)
15-19 years
99 (6.0%)
20-24 years
68 (4.1%)
25-34 years
147 (8.9%)
35-44 years
148 (9.0%)
45-54 years
185 (11.2%)
55-64 years
252 (15.3%)
65-74 years
284 (17.2%)
75-84 years
161 (9.8%)
85+ years
56 (3.4%)

Nearby Suburbs

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Holbrook NSW known for? +

Holbrook is famous for its Submarine Park, which features a full-scale replica of HMAS Otway, a decommissioned Royal Australian Navy submarine displayed in honour of the town's namesake — World War I submarine hero Norman Holbrook VC. It's a popular stop for Hume Highway travellers.

How far is Holbrook from Albury? +

Holbrook is approximately 100 kilometres north of Albury-Wodonga, around a 1-hour drive via the Hume Highway. It is approximately 440 kilometres south of Sydney.

Does Holbrook have public transport? +

Holbrook is served by NSW TrainLink coach services running along the Hume Highway corridor between Sydney and Melbourne. There is no local bus network or rail station; a car is essential for most day-to-day travel.

What is the population of Holbrook? +

Holbrook had a population of 1,650 at the 2021 Census, down slightly from 1,715 in 2016. It serves as the main service town for a wider district of surrounding rural properties.

Is Holbrook a good place to live? +

Holbrook suits those seeking a quiet, affordable rural lifestyle with a genuine community atmosphere. Property and rental prices are well below metropolitan averages, and the Hume Highway location provides reasonable access to Albury's full range of services. It is best suited to retirees, farming families, and those working locally.

What is the postcode for Holbrook NSW? +

The postcode for Holbrook, New South Wales is 2644.