Bligh County was one of the original Nineteen Counties of New South Wales, covering the country around Cassilis and Dunedoo. The Cudgegong and Goulburn Rivers form its southern boundary, the Krui River its eastern boundary, and the Burragundy River its northern boundary.
Key Facts
| Label | Value |
|---|---|
| State | New South Wales |
| Region | Central West NSW, around Cassilis and Dunedoo |
| Named after | William Bligh, Governor of New South Wales (1805-1808) |
| Principal towns | Cassilis, Dunedoo |
| Local government areas today | Upper Hunter Shire, Mid-Western Regional Council, Warrumbungle Shire, Dubbo Regional Council |
Parishes in Bligh County
- Bellaleppa
- Berenderry
- Bligh
- Bobadeen
- Booyamurna
- Borambil
- Bowman
- Bulga
- Bungaba
- Collaroy
- Collieblue
- Collier
- Cope
- Cunna
- Curryall
- Doulagunmala
- Durridgere
- Goodiman
- Goolma
- Guroba
- Lorimer
- Merotherie
- Moan
- Munmurra
- Nagora
- Nandoura
- Nanima
- Narragamba
- Puggoon
- Rotherwood
- Rouse
- Stubbo
- Talbragar
- Tallawang
- Terraban
- Tomimbil
- Turee
- Turill
- Uarbry
- Ulan
- Wargundy
- Warung
- Wondaby
- Worobil
- Wuuluman
- Yarragal
- Yarrobil
Towns and Localities Today
Cassilis and Dunedoo are the county’s two towns, both small farming centres on the Golden Highway. Ulan, near the coal mining area of the Mid-Western Regional Council, lies in the county’s southern parishes.
Geography
Bligh County sits in the Central West, drained by the Cudgegong, Goulburn, Krui and Burragundy Rivers, which form its four boundaries. The land ranges from river flats to the Warrumbungle foothills.
History
The county was named for William Bligh, the fourth Governor of New South Wales, deposed by the military in the 1808 Rum Rebellion after a career better known for the 1789 mutiny on the Bounty. As one of the original Nineteen Counties, Bligh marked the practical limit of surveyed settlement in its era, before land beyond the Nineteen Counties was opened to selection. Between 1856 and 1859, the Phillip, Brisbane and Bligh electoral district gave the area its first parliamentary representation.
FAQ
Is Bligh County still used?
Cadastral divisions like Bligh County remain in land titles and property descriptions but have no government function today.
What are the main towns in Bligh County?
Cassilis and Dunedoo are the county’s two towns.
Which local government areas cover Bligh County?
Upper Hunter Shire, Mid-Western Regional Council, Warrumbungle Shire and Dubbo Regional Council all take in parts of the county.