Ashburnham County is a cadastral county in central New South Wales, taking in the country between Parkes, Forbes and Molong. The Lachlan and Belubula Rivers form its southern boundary. Parkes and Forbes are its principal towns.
Key Facts
| Label | Value |
|---|---|
| State | New South Wales |
| Region | Central West, around Parkes and Forbes |
| Named after | Bertram Ashburnham, 4th Earl of Ashburnham (1797-1878, from 1830) |
| Principal towns | Parkes, Forbes |
| Local government areas today | Cabonne Shire, Parkes Shire, Forbes Shire |
Parishes in Ashburnham County
- Barrajin
- Barton
- Beargamil
- Bell
- Belubula
- Bindogundra
- Bocobidgle
- Boree Cabonne
- Boree Nyrang
- Bowan
- Brolgan
- Brymedura
- Bumberry
- Canobolas
- Canomodine
- Cargo
- Carrawabbity
- Collett
- Cookamidgera
- Coonambro
- Cudal
- Cumble
- Currajong
- Curumbenya
- Dowling
- Dulladerry
- Edinburgh
- Eugowra
- Forbes
- Goimbla
- Goobang
- Goonumbla
- Gregra
- Gunningbland
- Kamandra
- Mandagery
- Manildra
- Martin
- Milpose
- Mogong
- Molong
- Moura
- Mugincoble
- Mumbidgle
- Murga
- Nanami
- Nangar
- Nelungalong
- Nyrang
- Parkes
- Terarra
- Toogong
- Trajere
- Troubalgie
- Wanera
- Warregal
- Waugan
- Wise
- Wolabler
- Yarragong
Towns and Localities Today
Parkes and Forbes are the two large towns inside the county, both regional centres with rail links to Sydney. Eugowra, Cudal, Cargo and Manildra are smaller towns along the Belubula and Boree Creek valleys, mostly in Cabonne Shire.
Geography
Ashburnham County lies in the Central West wheat-sheep belt. The Lachlan River forms its southern boundary and the Belubula River its southwestern edge. Mount Canobolas rises near the county’s eastern parishes.
History
The county was named for Bertram Ashburnham, who became the 4th Earl of Ashburnham in 1830, an English peer with no direct connection to the colony. Its parishes were surveyed as pastoral runs and farmland spread west from the Bathurst district through the mid-1800s, following the Lachlan and Belubula valleys. Parkes grew around a gold rush in the 1860s and later became a major rail junction, while Forbes developed on the Lachlan River after its own 1861 gold discovery.
FAQ
Is Ashburnham County still used?
Cadastral divisions like Ashburnham County remain in land titles and property descriptions but have no government function today.
What are the main towns in Ashburnham County?
Parkes and Forbes are the county’s two largest towns, both regional centres in the Central West.
Which local government areas cover Ashburnham County?
Cabonne Shire, Parkes Shire and Forbes Shire between them cover the county’s parishes.