The Post Office building

Forbes
Substantial country town famous for its connections with the bushranger Ben Hall.
Forbes is a substantial rural settlement of some 8500 people on the Lachlan River. It is 245 m above sea-level and 387 km west of Sydney on the Newell Highway between West Wyalong and Parkes.

Forbes has some fine parks and gardens associated with a large lagoon known as Lake Forbes which bisects the town. The rural economy is based around a major saleyards complex, an abattoir, feed lots, beef and hay exports, wool, wheat, grain seed crops, oil seed crops, fruit and vegetables.

The area was occupied by the Wiradjuri people prior to white settlement. The first Europeans to set foot on the future townsite were the party of John Oxley who camped here in 1817 while engaged on one of the first inland expeditions. Oxley named the site 'Camp Hill' but was unimpressed with the clay soil, poor timber and swamps. In fact, he concluded, 'it is impossible to imagine a worse country'.

Ducks on Lake Forbes

Nonetheless a run named 'Bogabigal' was established here around 1834. However, the town did not emerge until gold was discovered by Harry Stephens in June 1861 at what is now King George V Park (there is a memorial to that effect in the park).

The lure initially drew about 30 000 people to the Lachlan goldfields which centred on what was initially known as 'Black Ridge', after the ironbarks which once predominated. This tent city was later renamed 'Forbes', probably after Francis Forbes, the first chief justice of NSW.

The influx of people meant opportunities for service providers such as the Albion, the first hotel, which allegedly sold the greatest quantity of alcohol in Australia during the 1860s.

It has been claimed that, during the first two years, 8100 kg of gold were turned up although, by 1863, the population had declined to 3500 due to poor conditions, the small size of alluvial claims and seepage from the Lachlan River into the mine shafts.

Inevitably there were those who sought to lay their hands on the riches by easier methods. A number of bushrangers, including Frank Gardiner, Ben Hall and Johnnie Gilbert, worked together as a gang, harrying the area from 1862 to 1865.

Hall came to the Lachlan area when he was 12 and purchased a station in the Weddin Mountains in 1860. He was tried for armed robbery in 1862 but acquitted. Upon his return to the property he found his house burned down, his cattle dead and his wife had run off with a former policeman. Some say he was the victim of a police vendetta. At any rate there is no doubt that he became a full-time bushranger from that time.

In 1862 the gang pulled off the largest Australian gold robbery of the century near Eugowra. Hall was arrested but released when gang member, Dan Charters, refused to implicate his best friend. However, he was shot dead in a hail of gunfire about 20 km to the north-west of town on May 5, 1865 and is buried in the Forbes cemetery. Johnny Gilbert was killed shortly after and Frank Gardiner was released from gaol in 1874 on the grounds that he leave the country.

Although the bulk of the gold was soon removed the town did not fade away. It possessed the advantage of being located on the main overland stock route between Victoria and Queensland. Moreover, earlier pastoral activities were resumed and agricultural pursuits, particularly the growing of wheat, began to flourish, in large part due to French settlers J.B. Reymond and Auguste Nicolas who also developed a weir and irrigation system, established the first sawmill (1861) and the first vineyard and winery.

Forbes was declared a municipality in 1870. The first sheepdog trial in Australia, and possibly the world, was held here in 1872. The railway arrived in 1893 and the local economy expanded to include orchards and dairying. Agriculture was further enhanced with the construction of Wyangala Dam in 1935.

The Forbes Show is held in September, the Festival of Roses in November, the Jazz Festival in January and the Bush Traditions Folk Festival in August. The Forbes Hang-gliding Championships are held each January.

Things to see:  

The Town Hall

Tourist Information
Forbes Railway Arts and Tourist Centre is situated in the old railway station in Union St. It is open daily from 9.00 a.m. to 5.00 p.m, tel: (02) 6852 4155.

If you are interested in rural attractions such as farmstays or visits to alpaca and deer farms, dairies, feed lots and irrigation farms, ring (02) 6952 1822. For guided tours of the area call Robyn Brenner on (02) 6852 1277 or, after hours, (02) 6852 2431.

Town Walk - Lake Forbes
A good spot to start your walk is in the scenic parkland adjacent Lake Forbes, off Gordon Duff Drive. The Vampire Jet atop the pole was introduced into the RAAF in 1949. The lake has excellent picnic spots around its shores.

Lake Forbes

Government Buildings
Follow the lake (and Gordon Duff Drive) around to Camp St and walk along the latter, past the all-timber Federation-style Lands Office (1890s). Cross the highway and enter Victoria Lane. To the left, is the Classical Revival courthouse (1880).

St Andrew's Presbyterian Church
At the end of Victoria Lane, turn right into Harold St. St Andrew's Presbyterian Church was built of rough stone in 1877. It has an impressive octagonal bell-tower and spire, a steeply-sloping slate roof and some fine stained-glass windows.

Court Street
Court St has a number of impressive historic features. At the Harold St corner is the two-storey stuccoed town hall, delightfully capped by a dome atop a three-storey octagonal tower.

Almost opposite is the Vandenberg Hotel with its large timber verandah, cast-iron columns and iron lacework. Originally the Court House Hotel, this two-storey, stuccoed brick building was erected in 1863.

Over the road is Victoria Park with formal gardens and some venerable old trees. The Grecian design fountain, donated by Mayor Thomas in 1891, and band rotunda are the focal points.

St John's Anglican Church

St John's Anglican Church is a majestic rough-stone Gothic Revival edifice with graceful gables, built in 1874-77.

At Court and Lachlan Sts is a major element of the local streetscape - the two-storey stuccoed brick post office (1879-81). The ground-floor colonnade and arched first-floor windows are capped by an unusual three-storey clock tower.

Albion Hotel and Bushrangers Hall of Fame
Over the road is the Albion Hotel, built when the town was first founded in 1861. It was partially destroyed by fire and rebuilt from 1888-93. Cobb and Co. used the hotel as a changing station and booking office from 1863. Agents used a lookout tower, sounding a bugle at the approach of coaches, whereupon a fresh team was made ready for a quick changeover. The interior retains some original fittings. Of particular interest is the Bushrangers Hall of Fame which is located under the hotel. It is well worth visiting. There are a number of huge enlargements of old photographs and a good collection of memorabilia.

Anglesey House
Turn right into Lachlan St then right into Templar St. To the left is stately Anglesey House (1884), originally the residence of a former mayor and now a neighbourhood centre. A stuccoed brick and stone mansion, it features some fine floral lacework and a tiled mosaic walkway. There are stone stables at the rear.

National Bank and Art Gallery
Return along Templar St and turn right into Lachlan St. Just past Spring St, to the left, is the Classical form of the CBC (now National) Bank building, erected in 1884.

Adjacent is the Upstairs-Downstairs Gallery and Craft Centre, open daily.

Forbes Museum
Turn right into Cross St where you will find the Forbes Museum. It has a Ben Hall section and items of local European and Aboriginal history. The museum is open from 3.00 p.m. to 5.00 p.m. daily in summer and from 2.00 p.m. to 4.00 p.m. in winter.

The Bishop's House

Oxley Memorial and Catholic Church
Return to Lachlan St and turn right. At the intersection with Johnson St is a park with a memorial in honour of explorer John Oxley, the first European in the area, who passed through the future site of Forbes near this spot in 1817.

Turn up Johnson St. To the right, just past Farrand St, is the Catholic Church of St Laurence O'Toole (a 12th-century Irish archbishop). The nave was begun in 1877 with the sacristy and sanctuary added in 1902.

Ben Hall's grave

Forbes Cemetery
Further along, Johnson St becomes Bogan Gate Rd. Along here you will find the Forbes Cemetery which contains the grave of notorious bushranger Ben Hall, shot to death by a hail of gunfire to the north-west of town in May 1865. The site of the shooting is indicated with a marker (enquire about directions from the historical museum or visitors' centre). Fellow gang-members John O'Meally and Warrigal Walsh were buried in unmarked graves (as was Hall initially).

Nearby is the grave of Ned Kelly's sister Kate, who married here in 1888 and drowned in the Lachlan in 1898. Captain Cook's great-grandniece Rebecca Shields is also interred here.

Forbes Worm Farm
Forbes Worm Farm is located in Shorthorn St, 600 m off the Newell Highway. It is open seven days, tel: (02) 6851 1259.

Statue of Ben Hall outside the Lachlan Vintage Village

Gum Swamp
The Gum Swamp Bird Hide is a wetland sanctuary for at least 158 bird species which use the area in the course of the year. It is a breeding and nesting area and a refuge in drought conditions. The sanctuary is located 4 km south on the right-hand side of the Newell Highway. A related brochure is available from the tourist information centre.

Wineries
Lachlan Valley Wines was established in 1886. To get there head out of town on the Cowra Rd, cross the river and take the immediate left into Wandary Lane and the winery is 3 km along to the left, tel: (02) 6852 3983.

To access Sandhills Vineyard head east on the Orange Rd for about 6 km and turn left into Sandhills Rd, tel: (02) 6852 1437. Both are open daily.

Weirs
Jemalong Weir is located 24 km west along South Condobolin Rd, on the banks of the Lachlan River. Fishing, swimming, bushwalking and picnicking can be indulged or you can climb nearby Jemalong Mountain. There are barbecue facilities.

Cottons Weir is a good, relaxing fishing spot close to town. Follow River Road south off the highway at the southern entrance to town, adjacent the River Meadows Caravan Park. After 1 km take the first public lane on the right.

Aquatic Sports
Waterskiing can be enjoyed at Lake Forbes Aquatic Centre, 2 km from town on the Bedgerabong Rd. There is 2.5 km of waterway with a boat-launching ramp, carpark, toilets and showers. There is also 6 km of sheltered waterway with toilets and a boat ramp at Bundaburrah Creek, 21 km south.

	Tourist Information
	Railway Arts and Tourist Centre Union St Forbes NSW 2871 Telephone: (02) 6852 4155
	Motels
	Adrian Motel 3 Dowling St Forbes NSW 2871 Telephone: (02) 6852 2611 Facsimile: (02) 6852 1767 Rating: **1/2
	Ben Hall Motor Inn Cross St Forbes NSW 2871 Telephone: (02) 6851 2345 Facsimile: (02) 6852 1645 Rating: ***
	Comfort Inn Forbes 22 Sherriff St Forbes NSW 2871 Telephone: (02) 6852 2466 Facsimile: (02) 6852 3237 Rating: ***
	Country Mile Motor Inn Cross St Forbes NSW 2871 Telephone: (02) 6852 4099 Facsimile: (02) 6851 4563 Rating: ****
	Lake Forbes Motel 8 Junction St Forbes NSW 2871 Telephone: (02) 6852 2922 Facsimile: (02) 6852 4483 Rating: ***1/2
	Town & Country Motor Inn Newell Hwy Forbes NSW 2871 Telephone: (02) 6852 3444 Facsimile: (02) 6852 4486 Rating: ***1/2
	Hotels
	Albion Hotel 135 Lachlan St Forbes NSW 2871 Telephone: (02) 6851 1881
	Australia Hotel 99 Lachlan St Forbes NSW 2871 Telephone: (02) 6851 2220
	Commercial Hotel 49 Rankin St Forbes NSW 2871 Telephone: (02) 6851 1715
	Forbes Inn Hotel/Motel Lawler St Forbes NSW 2871 Telephone: (02) 6852 1555 Rating: **
	Metropolitan Hotel 1 Templar St Forbes NSW 2871 Telephone: (02) 6851 2085 Rating: *
	Post Office Hotel 117 Lachlan St Forbes NSW 2871 Telephone: (02) 6852 2078
	Royal Hotel Rankin St Forbes NSW 2871 Telephone: (02) 6852 2290
	Vandenberg Hotel Court St Forbes NSW 2871 Telephone: (02) 6852 2015
	Victoria Hotel Cnr Templar & Lachlan Sts Forbes NSW 2871 Telephone: (02) 6852 1269
	Bed & Breakfast/Guesthouses
	Gemalong Homestead Guesthouse South Condobolin Rd Forbes NSW 2871 Telephone: (02) 6857 1175
	Caravan Parks
	Country Club Caravan Park Sam St Forbes NSW 2871 Telephone: (02) 6852 1957 Facsimile: (02) 6851 5450 Rating: ***
	Forbes River Meadows Caravan Park Cnr Newell Hwy & River Rd Forbes NSW 2871 Telephone: (02) 6852 2694 Facsimile: (02) 6852 2694 Rating: ***1/2
	Apex Riverside Tourist Park Reymond St Forbes NSW 2871 Telephone: (02) 6851 1929 Facsimile: (02) 6851 1700 Rating: ***
	Lachlan View Caravan Park 141 Flint St Forbes NSW 2871 Telephone: (02) 6852 1055 Facsimile: (02) 6852 4095 Rating: ***1/2
	Restaurants
	Adrian Motel 3 Dowling St Forbes NSW 2871 Telephone: (02) 6852 2611
	Blackridge Restaurant Newell Hwy Forbes NSW 2871 Telephone: (02) 6851 2472
	Cobb & Co Char Grill 135 Lachlan St Forbes NSW 2871 Telephone: (02) 6851 1881
	Comfort Inn Forbes 22 Sheriff St Forbes NSW 2871 Telephone: (02) 6852 2466
	Don Vincenzo - Pizza Restaurant 113 Lachlan St Forbes NSW 2871 Telephone: (02) 6851 4252
	Forbes Garden Chinese Restaurant 51 Rankin St Forbes NSW 2871 Telephone: (02) 6852 2700
	Forbes Golden Dragon 86 Lachlan St Forbes NSW 2871 Telephone: (02) 6852 1468
	Forbes Inn Motel/Hotel Lawler St Forbes NSW 2871 Telephone: (02) 6852 1555
	Forbes Services Memorial Club Templar St Forbes NSW 2871 Telephone: (02) 6852 1488
	Signatures Restaurant Forbes Golf Club Forbes NSW 2871 Telephone: (02) 6851 2022
	Wan Wah 70 Lachlan St Forbes NSW 2871 Telephone: (02) 6852 2161
	Cafés
	Truffles on Rankin 58 Rankin St Forbes NSW 2871 Telephone: (02) 6852 3887
	Wattle Cafe 85 Rankin St Forbes NSW 2871 Telephone: (02) 6852 4310