Lachlan River

271 mentions

Sweeping 1,400 km across the Central West, the Lachlan River frames daily life with fishing holes, shaded picnic lawns and fertile farming flats. Riverside walking tracks link town centres, while house-boat holidays and kayaking safaris highlight the region’s relaxed, water-based lifestyle and enduring agricultural heritage.

2

Cowra CBD

79 mentions

Cowra’s thriving main street mixes heritage façades with modern cafés, art galleries and boutique retail. Weekly farmers’ markets, the famous Cherry Blossom Festival and quick access to wineries create a cultured country hub only steps from leafy residential pockets and riverside parklands.

3

Parkes CBD

67 mentions

Known for its annual Elvis Festival, Parkes CBD offers eclectic dining, vintage stores and a fresh town-square upgrade. Excellent highway and rail links support a strong logistics sector, giving residents both small-town charm and employment diversity within walking or cycling distance of home.

4

Lake Forbes

56 mentions

Encircled by a seven-kilometre shared path, Lake Forbes glitters at the heart of town, offering bird-watching decks, splash parks and pedal-boat hire. Sunsets over the water make an idyllic backdrop for picnics, fun-runs and annual dragon-boat regattas, strengthening Forbes’ outdoor lifestyle appeal.

5

Young CBD

44 mentions

Australia’s “Cherry Capital” brims with orchard storefronts, cosy bakeries and restored pubs. The spring Cherry Blossom Festival and December cherry-picking season draw tourists, boosting short-stay demand and enlivening streets lined with Federation architecture and modern supermarkets.

6

Belubula River

39 mentions

Snaking past Canowindra and Carcoar, the Belubula River delivers tranquil camping nooks, platypus sightings and prized trout waters. Vineyards and olive groves hug its banks, giving buyers a picturesque rural outlook just minutes from historic villages and cellar-door weekends.

7

Wyangala Dam

33 mentions

Set amid rugged hills, Wyangala Dam offers water-skiing, sailing and bushwalking from pristine foreshore campsites. Planned dam-wall raising promises long-term water security and recreation growth, underlining the area’s dual appeal to investors and lifestyle seekers.

8

Cowra Bowling Club

30 mentions

More than just lawn bowls, Cowra Bowling Club hosts live music, bistro dining and community fund-raisers. Its riverside greens attract social players and tournament crowds alike, anchoring Cowra’s sporting culture and providing a friendly meeting spot for new residents.

9

Parkes Observatory (The Dish)

26 mentions

The 64-metre Parkes radio telescope—icon of Australia’s space science—draws 100,000 visitors annually. Interactive displays and star-gazing nights inspire students, while its ongoing NASA collaborations ensure international profile and a steady tourism stream supporting local hospitality businesses.

10

Temora Hospital

23 mentions

Temora’s upgraded hospital provides 24-hour emergency care, maternity services and visiting specialists, giving peace of mind across northern Lachlan Valley. Its role as a regional health hub supports aged-care growth and encourages young families to settle in surrounding villages.

11

Forbes CBD

20 mentions

Federation-era shopfronts and a palm-lined boulevard shape Forbes’ elegant CBD. Trendy cafés, boutique fashion and a thriving art scene complement essential services, while proximity to Lake Forbes and the Newell Highway ensures continual visitor trade for local businesses.

12

Parkes Hospital

11 mentions

Opened in 2015, Parkes Hospital features modern surgical theatres, renal dialysis and community health programs. Close links to mining and logistics employers make quality healthcare a cornerstone attracting skilled workers and their families to the shire.

13

Cowra High School

11 mentions

Set on spacious grounds, Cowra High combines strong agriculture, STEM and performing-arts streams. Regional sporting carnivals and cultural exchanges with Japan’s World Peace Bell program enrich student life, supporting steady housing demand from teaching staff and families.

14

Parkes Airport

10 mentions

With daily flights to Sydney and Brisbane, Parkes Airport trims travel times for FIFO workers, exporters and tourists. Planned Inland Rail links and logistics precinct expansions further solidify Parkes’ status as a freight and distribution powerhouse for inland NSW.

15

Forbes Hospital

8 mentions

Part of the Lachlan Health Service, Forbes Hospital delivers acute care, inpatient rehab and tele-health links to Orange specialists. Its modern facilities bolster the town’s liveability credentials, especially for retirees and young families eyeing affordable riverside homes.

16

Lake Cowal

6 mentions

NSW’s largest inland lake is famed for golden sunsets, sailing regattas and migratory birdlife. Nearby gold-mine employment and proposed ecotourism trails boost interest in lifestyle acreages, blending rural tranquility with solid local job prospects.

17

West Wyalong CBD

4 mentions

Crooked heritage streets, boutique motels and a lively bakery culture give West Wyalong distinctive charm. Strategic crossroads on the Newell and Mid-Western Highways support steady passing trade, while local gold and almond industries sustain employment.

18

Grenfell CBD

4 mentions

Birthplace of poet Henry Lawson, Grenfell hosts the annual Henry Lawson Festival, street parades and art shows. Restored veranda-lined shops, cosy wine bars and affordable cottages attract creatives and tele-commuters seeking a slower, community-minded lifestyle.

19

Cowra Aquatic Centre

3 mentions

This year-round complex features heated indoor pools, waterslides and a modern gym. School carnivals, learn-to-swim programs and aqua-aerobics sessions create a vibrant health hub, enhancing Cowra’s family-friendly credentials and boosting after-school activity options.

20

Cowra Hospital

3 mentions

Cowra Hospital provides emergency, maternity and aged-care services backed by visiting specialist clinics. Recent investments in tele-health and diagnostics strengthen regional healthcare resilience, assuring residents comprehensive treatment within minutes of home and supporting ageing-in-place aspirations.

Area Hotlist — Lachlan Valley NSW