The region at a Glance

Central NSW includes some of most beautiful and abundant agricultural land in the country. Its communities offer attractive life and career opportunities in a region with strong economic prospects. The original custodians of the land are the Wiradjuri people, known as the people of the three rivers - the Wambool (the Macquarie River), the Kalari (the Lachlan River) and the Murrumbidjeri (the Murrumbidgee River).

Bathurst
Bathurst at a Glance

41,682 people

37 average age

$321,000 average house price

2.5 hours from Sydney

6 medical centres

1 university

27+ galleries and studios

Part of the Western NSW Local Health District

Blayney
Blayney at a Glance

7,409 people

$235,000 average house price

38 average age

30 minutes to Bathurst and Orange

2 National Trust heritage listed villages

1 major dam

Part of the Western NSW Local Health District

Canowindra
Cabonne Shire at a Glance

13,481 people

6,108 sq kms

11 classic country towns and villages

$266,750 average house price

1 International Balloon Festival

8 community health centres

Part of the Western NSW Local Health District

Condobolin
Lachlan Shire at a Glance

3 towns

5 villages

15,000 square kilometres

6,748 people

18ºC - 34ºC av summer temps

3ºC - 16ºC av winter temps

2 beautiful lakes

Part of the Western NSW Local Health District

Cowra
Cowra at a Glance

12,574 people

1 District Hospital

7 GPs

2 Sydney Harbours fit into Wyangala Dam

$225,000 average house price

1,413 local businesses

49.9% tertiary qualified

Part of the Western NSW Local Health District

Forbes
Forbes at a Glance

10,000+ people

1 major new medical precinct

4718 square kilometres

33km from Parkes

$215,000 average house price

15°C average winter day temp

1861 founded

Part of the Western NSW Local Health District

Grenfell
Weddin Shire at a Glance

3,750 people

1 historic town

3 heritage villages

$171,000 average house price

1 new Medical Centre in development

1866 established

1 Australian Legend

Part of the Western NSW Local Health District

Lake Cargelligo
Lachlan Shire at a Glance

3 towns

5 villages

15,000 square kilometres

6,748 people

18ºC - 34ºC av summer temps

3ºC - 16ºC av winter temps

2 beautiful lakes

Part of the Murrumbidgee Local Health District

Lithgow
Lithgow at a Glance

21,249 people

2 hours to Sydney

$256,500 average house price

$64.3m health care sector

2 beautiful lakes

1 World Heritage Area

Part of the Nepean Blue Mountains Local Health District

Molong
Cabonne Shire at a Glance

13,481 people

6,108 sq kms

11 classic country towns and villages

$266,750 average house price

1 International Balloon Festival

8 community health centres

Part of the Western NSW Local Health District

Oberon
Oberon at a Glance

5,207 people

$263,750 average house cost

36 minutes to Bathurst

6 primary schools

20+ sport and rec clubs

1 World Heritage Area

1,113 m above sea level

Part of the Western NSW Local Health District

Orange
Orange at a Glance

41,431 people

36 average age

28% couples with children

$339,000 average house price

3.5 hours to Sydney

7 high schools

1 new base hospital

1 University

38 cellar doors

Part of the Western NSW Local Health District

Parkes
Parkes at a Glance

15,217 people

$250,000 average house price

1 Elvis Festival

3 Medical Centres

1,344 local businesses

135 clear sunny days/year

64m Radio Telescope

Part of the Western NSW Local Health District

Young
Young at a Glance

12,514 people

40 average age

10 GPs

1860s first wine grapes

$240,000 average house price

1.5 hours to Canberra

Part of the Murrumbidgee Local Health District

Your Children

In Parkes, your child will have the opportunity to live the healthy, nurturing country lifestyle people dream of.

Parkes Shire is proud of its young people and of its education system. Within Parkes there are 3 Pre-schools (and 2 part-time pre-schools set up at Middleton Public School and Parkes East Public School), a successful Family Day Care Scheme, 4 Primary schools (three public and one Catholic), one High School and a Christian School which goes from Kindergarten to year 12. All of the smaller communities in the shire also boast progressive Central Schools.

Red Bend Catholic College is a co-educational day and boarding school situated in nearby Forbes.

Private Schools with boarding facilities are located in Bathurst and Orange.

Parkes is well equipped to deal with the educational needs of families who may relocate. The first objective of the Parkes Shire Council Community Strategic Plan is to ‘Develop Lifelong Learning Opportunities.’

Sporting clubs are very popular with children in country towns, from the social Swim Club get togethers at the local pool on lazy summer Friday evenings, to the rugby union, rugby league, soccer, netball, hockey and cricket teams for all ages.