The Lachlan River at Forbes: A Guide to Australia's Hidden Gem

The Lachlan River is one of NSW's great inland rivers — and at Forbes, it is at its most beautiful. Fed by the Southern Tablelands and flowing west through the Central West plains, the Lachlan passes through Forbes with a quiet majesty that makes it one of the region's most compelling natural attractions.

The Lachlan Through History

The Lachlan River has been central to the story of Forbes since European settlement. Named by explorer John Oxley in 1817 after Lachlan Macquarie, the then-Governor of NSW, the river was a lifeline for early settlers who established farms and towns along its banks.

Long before that, the Wiradjuri people, the Traditional Custodians of this land, had lived along the Lachlan — which they call Kalare — for tens of thousands of years. The name Galari Cottage honours this deep connection to Country, drawing from the Wiradjuri word for the Lachlan River.

Red River Gums: The Sentinels of the Lachlan

Perhaps no tree is more synonymous with the Australian inland river landscape than the red river gum (Eucalyptus camaldulensis). Growing along the banks of the Lachlan near Forbes, these ancient trees can reach heights of over 30 metres and live for hundreds of years.

Their gnarled, muscular trunks and silver-grey bark create a dramatic riverside landscape. As the light filters through their canopy in the early morning, the effect is nothing short of extraordinary — a natural cathedral that puts even the grandest man-made structures to shame.

Galari Cottage sits directly amongst a stand of these magnificent trees, giving guests an intimate experience of the landscape that few visitors get to enjoy.

Wildlife Along the River

The Lachlan River corridor near Forbes supports an exceptional array of wildlife. Regular sightings include:

• Sacred kingfishers darting along the water's edge
• Yellow-billed spoonbills and royal spoonbills wading in the shallows
• Nankeen night herons roosting in the river gums
• Sulphur-crested cockatoos and corellas in large, noisy flocks
• Eastern grey kangaroos grazing in the parkland at dusk
• Short-beaked echidnas foraging through the leaf litter
• Murray cod and golden perch for those who enjoy fishing

The Lachlan Riverside Parkland

The Forbes community has done an exceptional job of protecting and celebrating the riverfront environment through the Lachlan Riverside Parkland. The parkland offers kilometres of walking and cycling paths under the shade of the river gums, picnic areas, and access points to the river itself.

It's the kind of green space that larger cities spend billions trying to replicate — and here in Forbes, it's simply part of everyday life.

Experiencing the Lachlan at Galari Cottage

There is no better way to experience the Lachlan River than from the deck of Galari Cottage. Positioned directly on the riverbank within the parkland, the cottage offers an immersive connection to the river that a hotel room simply cannot match.

Guests wake to the sound of birdsong, watch the morning mist lift off the water, and — if they're brave enough — enjoy an outdoor shower under the gum trees. At night, the riverbank offers some of the most spectacular stargazing in NSW, far from any light pollution.

If you're looking for accommodation near the Lachlan River in Forbes, Galari Cottage is quite simply in a class of its own.

When to Visit

The river is beautiful in every season, but spring and autumn offer the most comfortable conditions for enjoying time outdoors. Winter brings crisp mornings and crystal-clear skies. Summer evenings by the river, with a glass of Central West wine in hand, are magical.

Whatever the season, the Lachlan at Forbes is waiting — patient, unhurried, and timeless.