Guide to Forbes New South Wales Australia

Forbes is a town of about 8,000 people on the Lachlan River and the Newell Highway, 33 km south of Parkes. Gold made it in 1861, and the wealth shows in a main street of grand hotels, banks and a town hall. The bushranger Ben Hall is buried in the cemetery, as is Kate Kelly, the sister of Ned.

Known For

• Ben Hall and bushranger history
• A heritage main street
• Lake Forbes and the Lachlan River

Things To Do in Forbes

Heritage Walk

Lachlan and Camp streets have some of the best Victorian buildings in the Central West, including the town hall, the post office and the Vandenberg Hotel.

Bushrangers

Ben Hall was shot dead by police north-west of the town in 1865, and his grave is in the Forbes cemetery. The museum, in a former music hall, has relics from the period.

Lake Forbes

The lake winds through the middle of town, with walking and cycling paths along both sides.

McFeeters Motor Museum

On the highway, the museum has a large private collection of vintage and classic cars.

Sculpture Down the Lachlan

A trail of large sculptures runs along the Lachlan Valley Way towards Condobolin.

Where To Stay

Forbes has several caravan parks, including the BIG4 Forbes Holiday Park, the Apex Riverside Tourist Park and Forbes River Meadows. The showground also takes vans.

Wheogo Park, on Lake Forbes, is a free stop for self-contained vehicles. There are plenty of motels.

Eat & Drink

The main streets have cafes, pubs and clubs. Frost and Fire, a winter festival, is held in June.

History

Gold was found in 1861, and within months about 30,000 people were on the field. The following year the gang led by Frank Gardiner robbed the gold escort at Eugowra, the largest gold robbery in Australian history.

Getting to Forbes

Forbes is on the Newell Highway. Eugowra is 37 km east and West Wyalong 104 km south-west.