Pheasants Nest crime statistics
Reporting period: 2025-07 – 2026-06
32 recorded in this period, compared with 31 in the preceding period.
LGA totals use the selected offence categories. Locality counts and population-adjusted LGA rates are different measures.
About Pheasants Nest
Pheasants Nest is a semi-rural locality situated in the Macarthur region of New South Wales, within the Wollondilly Shire local government area (postcode 2574). Located approximately 80 kilometres southwest of the Sydney central business district, the area is defined by its rugged topography, encompassing steep valley slopes, native bushland, and the deep gorge of the Nepean River. According to the 2021 Australian census, the locality supports a small, dispersed population living primarily on large rural-residential properties and acreage, maintaining a quiet, semi-isolated character despite its proximity to major transport corridors.
Local life in Pheasants Nest is predominantly rural and residential, with limited commercial amenities within the immediate boundary. The area is most widely known as a major transport junction, historically carrying the Hume Highway through the steep terrain. A notable feature of the locality is the Pheasants Nest service centre located on the Hume Motorway, which serves as a major rest stop for intercity commuters and freight operators travelling between Sydney, Canberra, and Melbourne. For day-to-day services, schooling, and retail needs, residents typically rely on nearby townships such as Picton and Bargo.
The history of the area is closely tied to early colonial exploration and the expansion of transport routes connecting Sydney to the southern interior of New South Wales. The locality's distinctive name is believed to originate from early European explorers or settlers who encountered the local superb lyrebird, which was colloquially referred to at the time as the "native pheasant." European settlement initially focused on timber-getting and extensive agriculture before the landscape's challenging topography shaped its modern identity as a primarily residential rural enclave intersected by critical infrastructure.
Recorded offence categories
| Category | Current period | Previous period |
|---|---|---|
| Fraud | 6 | 1 |
| Arson | 5 | 4 |
| Malicious damage to property | 5 | 1 |
| Non-domestic violence related assault | 3 | 3 |
| Intimidation, stalking and harassment | 2 | 2 |
| Motor vehicle theft | 2 | 4 |
| Possession and/or use of other drugs | 2 | 0 |
| Receiving or handling stolen goods | 2 | 0 |
| Domestic violence related assault | 1 | 4 |
| Other drug offences | 1 | 1 |
| Other theft | 1 | 0 |
| Prohibited and regulated weapons offences | 1 | 1 |
| Sexual touching, sexual act and other sexual offences | 1 | 1 |
Community context
The 2021 Census recorded 716 residents. This is not a current population estimate.
Sources and interpretation
These are police-recorded incident or victim counts, not every unreported incident or a prediction of personal safety. Percentage changes are not tests of statistical significance; small counts need particular care.