Some of New South Wales' most drought-stricken towns have been hit by a large band of rain moving across the state.

In the state's far and central west, farmers like Joe Hughes are rejoicing as dozens of millimetres of rain fall on their parched fields.  "There's an enormous atmosphere of hope out here at the moment," he said.  "The rain's perfect timing. It's nice and early."

Towns from Tibooburra to Wentworth have received a soaking and the weather bureau's Julie Evans says there is more in store for the rest of the state as the rain band moves east.

"We are expecting northern and central areas - inland areas - to receive 30 to 50 millimetres from this system, fairly widespread, and 20 to 30mm in the south," she said.

She says it is the biggest rain band that the state has seen in a long time and has given some towns their best rainfall in seven years.