Forbes New South Wales

Located in the central-west of New South Wales, Forbes has a lot to offer from bushrangers to bird watching and public art to architecture.

What to See in Forbes

Within Forbes itself, the streets have many beautiful old buildings. Among them are the fine stone churches, the Victorian-Italianate Post Office, and the Town Hall.

Forbes New South Wales Post Office and Forbes Shire Council Building — Forbes Post Office and Forbes Shire Council Building

Forbes Shire Council Building Forbes New South Wales — Forbes Shire Council Building

Saint John's Anglican Church Forbes New South Wales — Saint John’s Anglican Church

If you are interested in bushrangers, Ben Hall was killed nearby and is buried in the local cemetery. A statue of him stands outside the Forbes Visitor Information Centre.

Ben Hall Statue Forbes New South Wales — Ben Hall Statue

Albion Park on Lachlan Street is the site of Forbes Art Park. On display are a collection of statues you are free to wander around.

I welcome you with love by Ayad Alqaragholli in Albion Park

Tripod by Gillie and Marc in Albion Park Forbes New South Wales — Tripod by Gillie and Marc

Other statues are scattered around town including these dogs.

Leroy on the Corner of Lachlan & Tempar Streets

A De Havilland Vampire jet fighter mounted on a plinth sits in Apex Lakeside Park (Aeroplane Park). The aircraft was erected in 1971 to mark the 50th anniversary of the Royal Australian Air Force, and in recent years it has undergone restoration to reinforce its structure, clean its surface and repaint it. There is a nice walk around Lake Forbes (part of the Lachlan River) from here.

de Havilland Vampire in Apex Lakeside Park

Located Nearby

Gum Swamp Wildlife Refuge

Gum Swamp Wildlife Refuge lies about four kilometres south of Forbes. The refuge covers approximately 100 hectares, combining open water, reed beds, and woodland margins. Its role as a wetland habitat makes it a critical feeding and nesting ground for migratory birds.

Gum Swamp is one of inland New South Wales’ most significant birdwatching sites. Over 150 species have been recorded, many of them seasonal visitors or migratory species that travel thousands of kilometres each year. The refuge’s mixture of open water, reeds, and woodland supports different ecological niches, making it attractive to a wide range of birds.

The 20m goanna sculpture Varanus can also be seen at the swamp.

Our blog of Gum Swamp can be found here.

The 20m long goanna Varanus by Glen Star

Sculpture Down the Lachlan

Stretching from Forbes to Condobolin, Sculpture Down the Lachlan contains around 10 sculptures spread out over 100km. As we were not travelling to Condobolin, we only saw the first few, but they would add some fun to the drive.