| Forbes River | |
| Name Etymology: | In honour of Francis Forbes |
| Subdivision Type1: | Country |
| Subdivision Name1: | Australia |
| Subdivision Type2: | State |
| Subdivision Name2: | New South Wales |
| Subdivision Type3: | IBRA |
| Subdivision Name3: | NSW North Coast |
| Subdivision Type4: | District |
| Subdivision Name4: | Mid North Coast |
| Subdivision Type5: | Local government area |
| Subdivision Name5: | Port Macquarie-Hastings |
| Length: | 53km (33miles) |
| Source1: | west of Spokes Mountain in Abbotsmith Ridge, Great Dividing Range |
| Source1 Location: | Willi Willi National Park |
| Source1 Elevation: | 1060m (3,480feet) |
| Mouth: | confluence with the Hastings River |
| Mouth Location: | near Yarras |
| Mouth Elevation: | 95m (312feet) |
| River System: | Hastings River catchment |
| Custom Label: | National parks |
| Custom Data: | Willi Willi, Werrikimbe |
| Extra: | [1] |
Forbes River, a perennial river of the Hastings River catchment, is located in the Mid North Coast region of New South Wales, Australia.
The Forbes River originates west of Spokes Mountain, on the northern slopes of Abbotsmith Ridge in the Great Dividing Range, located within Willi Willi National Park. It then flows southward and eventually joins the Hastings River near Yarras. The river spans a distance of and descends in elevation over its course.[1]
The river was named by Surveyor-General John Oxley in tribute to Francis Forbes, who later became the first Chief Justice of the NSW Supreme Court.
The areas surrounding the Forbes River have been significant for logging timber, and several sawmills were operational along the river. In the past, the lower reaches of the river were utilized for dairy farming, but currently, these farms primarily rear beef cattle. The Forbes River is also home to a variety of wildlife, including dingos, carpet pythons, and goannas in certain sections.