Barrona County is a cadastral county in far northwestern New South Wales, in the outback around Bourke. The Warrego River forms its eastern boundary and the Paroo River its western boundary. Almost the entire county lies within Bourke Shire.
Key Facts
| Label | Value |
|---|---|
| State | New South Wales |
| Region | Far northwest NSW, outback country near Bourke |
| Named after | a local Aboriginal word (also the name of nearby Barrona Downs station) |
| Local government area today | Bourke Shire (Byjerk parish is unincorporated) |
Parishes in Barrona County
- Ballycastle
- Blarney
- Buntiara
- Byjerk
- Cahirnane
- Coorallie
- Curragh
- Dargle
- Effluence
- Gleena
- Goombalie
- Goonery
- Kulkyne
- Longside
- Maghera
- Mere
- Merrita South
- Merrita West
- Nummo
- Otako
- Paroo
- Round Hill
- Tantawanga
- Uteeara
- Wanga
- Wentworth
- Winnalabrinna
- Yandaroo
Towns and Localities Today
Barrona County is sparsely settled outback country, with no towns of significant size. It is grazing land within the Bourke Shire, between the Warrego and Paroo Rivers.
Geography
Barrona County sits in the semi-arid far northwest of the state. The Warrego River marks its eastern edge and the Paroo River its western edge, both intermittent outback rivers that flow toward the Darling.
History
The Geographical Names Board of New South Wales records the county name as derived from a local Aboriginal word, shared with the nearby Barrona Downs pastoral station. Like much of the far northwest, the county was taken up as vast pastoral runs from the 1860s, when squatters pushed grazing leases out beyond the Darling River. Its 28 parishes were surveyed for land administration but never subdivided for closer farming, since the country is too dry for anything but low-density grazing.
FAQ
Is Barrona County still used?
Cadastral divisions like Barrona County remain in land titles and property descriptions but have no government function today.
Where is Barrona County?
It lies in the far northwest of New South Wales, between the Warrego and Paroo Rivers near Bourke.
Which local government area covers Barrona County?
Almost all of the county sits within Bourke Shire; the Byjerk parish is unincorporated.