🔍

Tarago

NSW 2580 • New South Wales

510
Population (2021)
N/A
Median Income
310.34 km²
Area
N/A
Median Rent
RuralHistoricSemi-RuralQuietAgricultural

About Tarago

Tarago is a small rural town in the Southern Tablelands of New South Wales, situated approximately 222 kilometres south-west of Sydney, 32 kilometres south-west of Goulburn, and 69 kilometres east-north-east of Canberra. The town spans a vast locality of around 310 square kilometres at an elevation of 703 metres, governed jointly by Goulburn Mulwaree Council and Queanbeyan-Palerang Regional Council. With a 2021 Census population of 510 residents, Tarago is a quiet agricultural community with a median household income modestly below the national average.

Tarago was established in 1827 and retains a distinctly historic character, with Tarago railway station serving as a notable local landmark from its earlier role on the old main southern railway route. The town sits near Lake George, a large, shallow ephemeral lake of ecological and scenic significance that periodically fills and empties dramatically. The surrounding countryside supports grazing and mixed farming, and the town offers basic community amenities. Goulburn and Queanbeyan provide the nearest range of shops, schools, and services for residents.

Tarago falls under postcode 2580 and is governed by the local council Council (LGA). For state elections, residents vote in the Monaro electorate.

📍 Location

State
New South Wales
Postcode
2580
Urban Area
N/A
LGA / Council
N/A
Federal Electorate
Hume
State Electorate
Monaro
Type
Locality
Timezone
Sydney (UTC+10)
Coordinates
-34.73°, 149.73°
Statistical Area
N/A
Area
310.34 km²
Elevation
0m

🚌 Transport & Commute

Nearest Train Stations

Tarago
0.5 km
5–10 min

Bus Services

  • Limited school and regional services — Goulburn / Queanbeyan 35–60 min

Commute to Sydney CBD

Distance
222 km
By Train
Very limited passenger services; Goulburn (32 km away) has regular services to Sydney Central (~2 hr)
By Car (Peak)
2.5–3 hr to Sydney; 55–70 min to Canberra
By Car (Off-Peak)
2.5 hr to Sydney; 50–60 min to Canberra

🛣️ Federal Highway connects to Canberra; Hume Highway connects to Sydney via Goulburn

Walkability Almost All Errands Require a Car

A small rural town with very limited local services; a car is essential for most daily needs

🛒 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 Tarago by offence type, year and trend.

📊 View Tarago Crime Statistics on BOCSAR ↗

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

👥 Demographics

Census 2016
0
Census 2021
510
▲ 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 Tarago known for? +

Tarago is known for its historic railway station, its proximity to Lake George — a large ephemeral lake with dramatic seasonal changes — and its quiet rural character on the Southern Tablelands of New South Wales, established as early as 1827.

How far is Tarago from Canberra CBD? +

Tarago is approximately 69 kilometres east-north-east of Canberra CBD (Civic), a drive of around 50–70 minutes depending on traffic, primarily via the Federal Highway.

Does Tarago have public transport? +

Tarago has a railway station, though regular passenger services are very limited. The nearest town with reliable train services to Sydney is Goulburn, approximately 32 kilometres away. A car is the most practical means of transport for daily use.

What is the population of Tarago? +

According to the 2021 Census, Tarago has a population of 510 residents, spread across a large rural locality of approximately 310 square kilometres.

Is Tarago a good place to live? +

Tarago suits those who value a quiet, rural lifestyle on the Southern Tablelands with relatively easy access to Canberra. The town has limited local amenities, so residents typically travel to Goulburn or Queanbeyan for shopping and services.

What is the postcode for Tarago? +

The postcode for Tarago is 2580.