Forbes, Central NSW Region — New South Wales

Forbes is a town in New South Wales, located in its the Central West area and built on the banks of the Lachlan River. What used to be a prosperous gold mining town, the town and its surrounding areas are now focused on agriculture.

The town plays host to several annual community events. The Forbes Show is held every September and people from all around the area convene to showcase their agricultural produce and livestock. There are also exhibitions on locally-made arts and crafts and organization of dog shows. The town goes full bloom during the Festival of Roses held every November, where different flower shows are held. January, however, is the town’s merriest month, with the Jazz Festival, the Bush Traditions Folk Festival, and the Forbes Hand-Gliding Championships.

In attestation of the town’s prosperity during the gold rush in 1861, several grand historic buildings are preserved and maintained up to the present. The beautiful Town Hall, built in 1891 and located on Court Street, is a stucco structure with a tower in its central corner, topped with a dome. Right across the street is the Vandenberg Hotel, which features cast-iron columns, timber verandahs, and iron lacework. The Post Office, located in the corner of Court and Lachlan Streets, is also a beautiful structure, complete with a clock tower and arched windows.

Still on Court Street is the Albion Hotel that used to be a changing station and booking office for Cobb & Co. The structure also bears underground tunnels that were used to transport gold from the banks to the coach station. These tunnels are open to the public for exploration. Visitors should also take time to look into the Bushranger Hall of Fame, also underground, which displays old photographs and other memorabilia.

For a bit of rest and relaxation, visitors can also visit the Victorian Garden, which has a Grecian fountain as its most prominent feature.

Apart from the Victorian Garden, Lake Forbes is also a popular destination of those wishing to indulge in some outdoor recreation. Located along Gordon Duff Drive, the park’s focal point is the Vampire Jet set atop a pole.

South of the town is the Lachlan Vintage Village, which emphasizes on recreating rural life during the gold rush. Visitors will have an enjoyable time exploring the miners’ huts, the woolshed, and an old schoolhouse. There is also a homestead and a working farm in the area, as well as a steam train.

More modern attractions can be found at the Lake Forbes Aquatic Center on Bedgerabong Road. Visitors can take advantage of the various opportunities for water-based recreation offered, like water-skiing and boating.

For experiences unique to this town, visitors can stop by the Forbes Worm Farm on Shorthorn Street, and take a stroll through the town’s cemetery later on. Notorious personalities interred here include bushranger Ben Hall, Ned Kelly’s sister Kate, and Rebecca Shield, great grand-niece of explorer Captain Cook.

There are also several wineries located in Forbes, such as the Lachlan Valley Wines found on Wandary Lane, and the Sandhills Vineyard on Sandhills Road.