After 1997, when the assets of Australian National Railways were sold to private operators, all maintenance of track and facilities was undertaken by non-resident contractors.

It was established in 1929, when it was the overnight stop on the first scheduled passenger air service between Perth and Adelaide, operated by West Australian Airways from 1929 to 1934.

[8] By road, Forrest is accessible only by unsealed tracks from the Eyre Highway at Eucla and Mundrabilla, about 110 kilometres (68 miles) to the south-east and south respectively.

[9] In November 2024, filmmaker Yannick Jamey released a 14 minute documentary featuring the residents of Forrest titled "The Big Wait".

[10] Forrest has a typical arid climate but it is cooler in summer than much of the Australian desert because it is 120 kilometres (75 miles) from the Southern Ocean.