Strong magnitude 5.2 quake rattles northern NSW

A map of NSW
A strong magnitude 5.2 earthquake has hit inland NSW near the Orana region. -AAP Image

A 5.2-magnitude earthquake and a 4.1-magnitude aftershock have rattled parts of north-central NSW.

Geoscience Australia seismologists said the initial quake struck at 2.36am AEST on Saturday in the Orana region and was followed by another tremor at 2.43am nearby.

Preliminary information indicated both quakes occurred at a shallow depth of 10km.

A 3.6-magnitude earthquake was also recorded in the region at 5.43am.

According to seismologists, earthquakes above magnitude 5.0 occur on average every one to two years in Australia.

About 135 people reported feeling the earthquake by 4am, according to Geoscience Australia's website.