Narrabri
Narrabri ranks =33rd of 128 in NSW, performing best on core operations (67/100).
"Siding Spring country — cotton fields, telescopes, and Pilliga forest"
See where Narrabri ranks: Best Councils in New South Wales 2026
New South Wales · regional council · Pop. 12,796
Data last updated: 2023-24 · Data confidence: high
Overall Score
58 out of 100
#21 of 79 regional councils in NSW
#33 in New South Wales
Score Breakdown
| Category | Score |
|---|---|
| Sustainability | 53/100 |
| Community Services | 61/100 |
| Lifestyle & Amenity | 53/100 |
| Core Operations | 67/100 |
What This Means For You
Among regional councils, Narrabri performs strongest in Core Operations (scoring 67 out of 100 against peers). Performance in Lifestyle & Amenity is moderate, scoring 53 out of 100 against peers.
What Makes This Place Unique
Siding Spring country — cotton fields, telescopes, and Pilliga forest
Narrabri sits in northwestern NSW, known for cotton farming, the Siding Spring Observatory, and the vast Pilliga forest.
Known For
- Siding Spring Observatory — Australia's premier optical astronomy
- Cotton farming capital
- Pilliga Forest — vast semi-arid woodland
- Hot artesian bore baths
Living Here
Narrabri offers affordable country living with the unique asset of Australia's top observatory nearby.
Hidden Gem
Siding Spring Observatory — view the Southern Hemisphere's clearest skies through world-class telescopes.