First settled in 1826, the township of Blayney was proclaimed in 1843.  In 1876 the railway arrived and the Council incorporated in 1882.   Today, Blayney hosts the headquarters for Blayney Shire Council.

With a wide main streetscape and a variety of essential businesses, Blayney is a well serviced town. 

You will find modern facilities and a growing retail and dining scene in Blayney, including the popular Blayney Farmers Markets.

Large industry continues to provide significant employment opportunities and support a strong railway link to Sydney.

The population of Blayney is over 3000 people.

The village of Barry was developed in the second half of the 1800s with stores, a school (established in 1862), church, blacksmith, hall, carrier and homes for agricultural workers.

Today, all of Barry's public buildings, including St James Anglican Church and the Barry Public School have closed.

The Post Office and both stores are now private homes, as is the school residence and the former St Therese Catholic Church. Some of the streets of Barry are named after clergy or bishops (Barber, Marsden, Hale, Moorhouse, Pearson, Sawyer, Selwyn, Staunton and Turner). 

The historic village of Carcoar is nestled in a small sheltered valley beside the meandering Belubula River. Gazetted in 1839 and classified by the National Trust it is the third oldest settlement west of the Blue Mountains and has a picture book quality reminiscent of old England.

With a population of over 200 people, this beautiful and historical village is now catching the eye of new residents and investors.

The community holds the best Australian Day fair celebration in the central west and many people travel to Carcoar to compete in the Carcoar Running Cup.

Today, it is difficult to imagine that Lyndhurst was once on a short-list of sites for the national capital. However, owing to the changing nature of the mining industry, the town has undergone many changes over the years.

As the closest centre to the rich Lyndhurst Goldfields, also now known as the Junction Reefs mining area, the town prospered. Established in 1861, Lyndhurst was a major centre to support the growing mining and farming community.

With a population of close to 300 people, Lyndhurst is a relaxed community serviced by hotel, café, public school and other services. It is closely located near Wyangla Dam, which makes this village ideally placed for fishing, camping and boating in the region.

Mandurama began in the mid 1800s as a private settlement for the nearby and large Icely family property, with workers on the property establishing their homes. The town has become a service centre for the surrounding and rich agricultural area which boasts some of the finest properties in the Central West.

With a population of near 400 people, the village amenities include a general store, café, hotel, service station, recreational facilities and other services.

On the outskirts of the town, the ever popular Millamolong Polo Weekends are held.

Millthorpe is the diamond in the crown. Established in the 1800s and with a population of near 800 people, this beautiful and historical village is a prime location. With an easy 20-minute drive to Orange or Blayney, you have the best of both worlds.

Millthorpe Village boasts award winning restaurants, arts and antiques, a museum, boutique shops, hotels, wine tasting and accommodation enhancing its charm, sophistication and eclectic style.

Millthorpe is in the heart of a dynamic food and cool climate wine region, a centre for truffle production, and home to a vibrant community of local artists with a diverse range of talented people living and working in the village.

The town hosts many successful and highly attended community events, including the Millthorpe Markets, Millfest and Millthorpe Garden Ramble.

The entire village is classified by the National Trust.

Tucked away in a quiet corner of Blayney Shire, away from the highway traffic but retaining a proud sense of heritage and community spirit is Neville.

Neville today boasts a population of over 200 people, who all care a great deal about their town and its facilities. There is enthusiastic interest in a range of pursuits including sport, the rural bushfire brigade, church, the public school and other projects like the Memorial Park and Community Hall.

Established in 1858. Neville has historic buildings, including the homes of John Vane and Michael Burke, members of Ben Hall’s bushranger gang.

Although there were a number of fine properties established in the area, including Sunnybank, the town of Newbridge resulted from the arrival of the railway and construction of the station in 1876.

The name may have come about due to the construction of the road overhead bridge but could also be traced to the town of Newbridge in Ireland, which backed the strong Irish presence in the town at the time. The importance of the railway has always been the emphasis of the townsfolk, with Newbridge winning a number of awards for one of the best presented stations in the state.

With a population of approximately 100 people, Newbridge is famous for hosting Queen Elizabeth II in her railway carriage in 1954.

The community comes together with many activities and events during the year.  The Australian Railway Historical Society supports steam train visits to the central west passing through Newbridge, Blayney and Millthorpe.

Newbridge forms part of an art trail and attracts many artists to the area.