Hillston is the largest town in the Carrrathool Shire although this still means that it is really a small and quiet country town with a population of around 1000 people. Located 678 km west of Sydney via the Great and Mid Western Highways, Hillston is a typical service centre. It is situated near the Lachlan River, on the edge of the Outback with clay pans and saltbush plains to the north and west. Its primary function is to provide goods and services for the surrounding district which is dominated by wool and wheat production.
Even though it is in the heart of country which receives quite low rainfall Hillston is remarkably green because it is located on top one of the NSW's highest-producing and best quality artesian basins. Consequently the surrounding countryside, which once was restricted to sheep and wheat, are now used for orange orchards, cotton production, fruit and vegetable cultivation and vineyards.
64 km north-west is Willandra National Park which covers nearly 20 000 ha and lies at the northern edge of the Riverina plain. The land is very flat, except for the occasional sand ridge. Willandra Creek winds through the park and, together with the park's wetlands, supports a waterbird population. Kangaroos, emus, small reptiles and other ground-nesting birds can be found on the open plains. There are wildflowers in spring and a weir near the homestead. Canoeing, fishing, photography and walking are also popular.
