Balranald

Balranald scores well on sustainability (64/100) but only 24/100 on lifestyle & amenity — a gap worth watching.

"Outback NSW — Murrumbidgee River meeting the Sturt Highway"

See where Balranald ranks: Best Councils in New South Wales 2026

New South Wales · rural council · Pop. 2,219

Data last updated: 2023-24 · Data confidence: high

Overall Score

52 out of 100

#10 of 15 rural councils in NSW

#59 in New South Wales

Score Breakdown

CategoryScore
Sustainability64/100
Community Services61/100
Lifestyle & Amenity24/100
Core Operations60/100

What This Means For You

Among rural councils, Balranald performs strongest in Sustainability (scoring 64 out of 100 against peers), with room to improve in Lifestyle & Amenity (currently 24 out of 100).

What Makes This Place Unique

Outback NSW — Murrumbidgee River meeting the Sturt Highway

Balranald is a tiny outback town on the Murrumbidgee River with surrounding pastoral stations.

Known For

  • Murrumbidgee River recreation
  • Yanga National Park — wetlands and pastoral heritage
  • Outback pastoral culture
  • Gateway to Mungo National Park

Living Here

Balranald is genuinely remote outback living. Very affordable, very quiet, very small.

Hidden Gem

Yanga National Park — a former pastoral station with wetlands, homestead heritage, and remarkable birdlife.