Hillston is a township in western New South Wales, Australia, in Carrathool Shire, on the banks of the Lachlan River.

In 1863 a stockman named William Ward Hill from nearby "Roto" station established an inn – the Redbank Hotel – at the location.

William Hill died on 10 July 1867 of "exhaustion from intemperance" and his widow, Elizabeth, took over the licence of the Redbank Hotel (which she held until about 1871).

However more favourable seasons by the end of the decade, with the return of more reliable rainfall, led to a revitalization of Hillston’s prospects.

[6] In mid-1871 the partnership between the brothers was dissolved and Louis Moss ran the Hillston store on his own account.

The railway between Griffith and Hillston was completed in 1923[7] and large areas of Crown land along the route were made available for selection.

By the end of the 1920s, with the influx of population to the district, the prevailing optimistic mood led to progress and growth at Hillston.

The personal and financial hardships experienced during the inter-war decades resulted in many of these families walking off their blocks, and Hillston began to experience a decline.

Until the bitumen sealing of the Kidman Way from Griffith was completed in the early 1970s, the rough dirt road was an effective barrier to communications with other communities.

[10] Agriculture is the main industry in Hillston mostly oriented towards livestock, grain, cotton, citrus and vegetables, utilising irrigation from the Lachlan River and underground water sources.

Between Lake Woorabinda and the community hall lie a 25m public swimming pool and the Lions' Park, which incorporates children's play equipment and a barbecue area.

Stan Peters Oval is the local sports ground, home to the Hillston Swans Australian Rules club in the Northern Riverina Football League and the Hillston Bluebirds Rugby League club in Group 17.