Major city · Australia
Forbes
Give Forbes one night, or a half-day stop between Parkes and Cowra: lake walk, motor museum, then drive on. Two nights only if you fish or race dragon boats.
Forbes is a Lachlan Valley farming town of about 8,400 people, 100 km west of Orange, with a gold-rush and coach-era past and a bushranger story attached to Ben Hall. The centrepiece is Lake Forbes, a billabong looping the town centre, and the town works best as a quiet overnight on the Central West loop rather than a destination in itself.
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- AUD
- Best months
- Mar–May, Sep–Nov
- avoid Dec–Feb (hot, 35 °C (95 °F)+ days), school holidays if you want quietavoid Dec–Feb (hot, 95 °F (35 °C)+ days), school holidays if you want quiet
- Airports
- PKE · SYD · CBR
- Nights
- 1
Rules in force · 7
- Oceania ↗Oceania's island states guard their farms and reefs at the border: tick 'yes' on the arrival card for any food, plant, animal product, soil or used outdoor gear, and let the officer decide.
- Oceania ↗Across the tropical South Pacific, cyclones are possible from November to April: choose insurance that covers weather delays and keep one spare night before a long-haul departure.
- Australia and New Zealand ↗Both countries drive on the left, with long distances between fuel stops in the outback and on New Zealand's back roads; fatigue causes more visitor crashes than speed.
- Australia ↗Almost every visitor needs a visa or an electronic authorisation (ETA or eVisitor, depending on passport) before boarding: apply only through the official Department of Home Affairs site or the official AustralianETA app, and check the rules for your passport.
- Australia ↗Declare all food, plant material, seeds, wood and animal products on your arrival declaration; undeclared items can bring on-the-spot fines or visa cancellation. When unsure, declare it.
- Australia ↗Drive on the left. An overseas licence in English (or with an official translation or International Driving Permit) is accepted for visitors; check the state rules and your rental contract.
- Australia ↗Swim between the red and yellow flags on patrolled beaches; rip currents cause most beach drownings.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Emergency numbers for Forbes000 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Forbes, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the Australian dollar (AUD, A$).Australia-wide
- SIM or eSIMTelstra has the widest outback coverage; Optus and Vodafone (TPG) are cheaper and fine in cities and along highways.Australia-wide
- Tap waterTap water is safe in cities and towns; in remote places use signed drinking taps.Australia-wide
- TippingRestaurants: Not expected; 10% for very good service in a nice restaurant if you wish.Australia-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets I. US/Canada (A/B): adapter · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): fits. 230 V: US 120 V-only devices (hair dryers) need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.Australia-wide
- SafetyForbes is a quiet country town and feels safe day and night.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsFree public toilets in parks, beaches, shopping centres and petrol stations (servos); the National Public Toilet Map app lists them.Australia-wide
- Emergency numbers000 police, fire, ambulance · 112 From mobiles · 131 444 Forbes Police Station (non-emergency)
- Sundays & holidaysChristmas Day, Good Friday and Anzac Day morning close most shops; many cafés close by 15:00; country towns close early on Saturday and all Sunday.Christmas Day, Good Friday and Anzac Day morning close most shops; many cafés close by 3:00 PM; country towns close early on Saturday and all Sunday.Australia-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportcheckPKE Parkes Regional Airport (Nearest scheduled airport, about 35 km (22 mi) north; check current services).PKE Parkes Regional Airport (Nearest scheduled airport, about 22 mi (35 km) north; check current services).
- Getting aroundForbes is small and flat: walk the centre and the lake circuit in 20–30 minutes.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- CoffeeA$4.50–6 (≈ US$3–4)
- Street or quick mealBakery pie or sandwichA$6–12 (≈ US$4–8)
- Museum or sight ticketMuseum entryA$5–14 (≈ US$4–10)
- Budget bedHostel or pub room, per person, a night, per personA$45 (≈ US$30)
- Mid-range bedMotel double room, a night, per roomA$160 (≈ US$110)
- High-end bedMotel double room, a night, per roomA$260 (≈ US$180)
A day, not counting the bed: Budget A$90 (≈ US$60) · Mid A$150 (≈ US$100) · High A$240 (≈ US$160)
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- PKE Parkes Regional Airport (Nearest scheduled airport, about 35 km (22 mi) north; check current services) · SYD Sydney Kingsford Smith (About 4 h drive via the Blue Mountains and Orange) · CBR Canberra (About 3.5 h drive via Yass and Cowra)PKE Parkes Regional Airport (Nearest scheduled airport, about 22 mi (35 km) north; check current services) · SYD Sydney Kingsford Smith (About 4 h drive via the Blue Mountains and Orange) · CBR Canberra (About 3.5 h drive via Yass and Cowra)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Avoid
34°C (93°F)93°F (34°C)
Feb
Avoid
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Mar
Best
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
Apr
Best
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
May
Best
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
Jun
not flagged
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
Jul
not flagged
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
Aug
not flagged
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
Sep
Best
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
Oct
Best
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
Nov
Best
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
Dec
Avoid
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Best: Mar–May, Sep–Nov. Avoid: Dec–Feb. Month by month →
Warmest Jan (34°C (93°F)93°F (34°C)), coolest Jul (3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C) low), wettest Jun (8 rain days), driest Jan (5). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Forbes: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
34°C (93°F)93°F (34°C)
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
5 rd
Feb
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
5 rd
Mar
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
5 rd
Apr
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
5 rd
May
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
6 rd
Jun
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
8 rd
Jul
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
8 rd
Aug
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
7 rd
Sep
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
6 rd
Oct
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
6 rd
Nov
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
6 rd
Dec
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
5 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
Forbes is small and flat: walk the centre and the lake circuit in 20–30 minutes. A car is needed for the motor museum if you are staying out of town, for Manna Mountain and for the Ben Hall site. Fuel up in town before heading west on the Lachlan Valley Way.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Parkes
goDoor to door: About 40 min
A39 north by car
Radio telescope and town services; pairs naturally with Forbes.
Door to door: About 1 h 15 min
Lachlan Valley Way south-east by car
Japanese war cemetery and gardens; a full half-day.
Door to door: About 45 min
Belubula Way by car
Fossil museum and a small, quiet main street.
Door to door: About 1 h 30 min
Mid-Western Highway east by car
Wine, food and the nearest big-town services.
Condobolin
cautionDoor to door: About 1 h 30 min
Lachlan Valley Way west by car
Long, flat drive; go only if you are heading further west.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Town centre (Templar, Rankin and Cross streets)
Walk to the lake, cafés and the museum; motels and pubs here are the practical choice.
Bogan Way / north edge
Highway-side motels with parking; a few minutes' drive from the lake.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- A$90–140 (≈ US$60–95) excl. bed
- Mid
- A$140–220 (≈ US$95–150) excl. bed
- High
- A$220 (≈ US$150)+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Motel double room1 × 1 night × A$160 | A$160 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × A$150 | A$300 |
| Fuel, about 200 km of local driving1 × A$40 | A$40 |
| McFeeters Motor Museum entry2 × A$14 | A$28 |
| Forbes Historical Museum entry2 × A$5 | A$10 |
| eSIM, about a week of data2 × A$20 | A$40 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | A$58 |
| Trip total≈ A$318 per person per day, bed included | A$636≈ US$450 |
2026 estimate in Australian dollars; fuel and long-distance travel excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee | A$4.50–6 (≈ US$3–4) |
| Pub counter meal | A$20–32 (≈ US$14–25) |
| Bakery pie or sandwich | A$6–12 (≈ US$4–8) |
| Motel double room, one night | A$110–260 (≈ US$75–180) |
| Fuel, unleaded per litre | A$1.70–2.10 (≈ US$2) |
| Museum entry | A$5–14 (≈ US$4–10) |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Summer days regularly pass 35 °C (95 °F): walk the lake early or late, not at midday.Summer days regularly pass 95 °F (35 °C): walk the lake early or late, not at midday.
- Dirt roads to Manna Mountain and the Ben Hall site can be rough after rain; check before setting out.
- Some museums and cafés keep short hours or close mid-week: check ahead.
- Kangaroos and livestock on rural roads at dawn and dusk.
Emergency numbers
- Police, fire, ambulance
- 000
- From mobiles
- 112
- Forbes Police Station (non-emergency)
- 131 444
Pocket card
Fill in, then print or save as PDF
Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.
ForbesForbes
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
To this address, pleaseTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police, fire, ambulance000
- From mobiles112
- Police non-emergency131 444
Embassy
No embassies in Forbes; consulates and embassies are in Sydney and Canberra.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Parkes → Forbes by car: about 35 km (22 mi), 40 minabout 22 mi (35 km), 40 min
- Sydney → Forbes by car: about 4 h via Orange
- Fuel, unleaded per litre: A$1.70–2.10 (≈ US$2)
Say or show
- Thanks — Thank you
- Where's the lake walk? — Where is the lake walk?
- Is this road sealed? — Is this road sealed?
- Card OK? — Can I pay by card?
Country town: carry water, fuel up before long drives, and check opening hours before you go.
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Forbes. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Mar–May, Sep–Nov · avoid Dec–Feb (hot, 35 °C+ days), school holidays if you want quiet · month by month →
- 3 airports and 2 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 5 day-trips, door to door
- 4 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Airport-to-bed contract for Parkes (PKE) and the Sydney drive: last sensible departure, fuel stops, motel fallback.
- Walking cluster for the centre: lake circuit, McFeeters Motor Museum, Forbes Historical Museum, main-street cafés.
- Place pages with verified hours and entry for the motor museum, historical museum and the Ben Hall site.
- Heat and dirt-road fixtures so summer and post-rain days can go green or red.
Sources
- officialNSW National Parks and Wildlife Service
- officialTransport for NSW
- officialParkes Regional Airport
- secondaryWikivoyage: Forbes, revision 5058557 (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Ask about Forbes
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