Bourke County is a cadastral county in the Riverina district of New South Wales, covering the whole of Coolamon Shire and parts of Bland, Narrandera and Temora Shires and the City of Wagga Wagga. The Murrumbidgee River forms its southern limit.
Key Facts
| Label | Value |
|---|---|
| State | New South Wales |
| Region | Riverina, around Coolamon and Ganmain |
| Named after | Sir Richard Bourke, Governor of New South Wales (1777-1855) |
| Principal towns | Coolamon, Ganmain, Ardlethan |
| Local government areas today | Coolamon Shire, plus parts of Bland, Narrandera and Temora Shires and the City of Wagga Wagga |
Parishes in Bourke County
- Ardlethan
- Ariah
- Ashbridge
- Beaconsfield
- Berrembed
- Berry Jerry
- Boblegigbie
- Bourke
- Brangalgan
- Buddigower
- Bungambil
- Clermiston
- Coolamon
- Cottee
- Cowabbie
- Currawananna
- Davidson
- Derry
- Devlin
- Drumston
- Dulah
- Elliott
- Ellon
- Fennel
- Ganmain
- Hooke
- Ingalba
- Jillett
- Kildary
- Kindra
- Kinilibah
- Kockibitoo
- Lachlan
- Langi-Kal-Kal
- Lupton
- Mandamah
- Marrar
- Matong
- Methul
- Mimosa
- Murrulebale
- Northcote
- Quandary
- Ramsay
- Robertson
- Tara
- Tooyal
- Trickett
- Walleroobie
- Warren
- Warri
- Willandra
- Windeyer
- Yarranjerry
- Yithan
Towns and Localities Today
Coolamon, Ganmain and Ardlethan are the county’s main towns, all Riverina grain-belt centres. Coolamon and Ganmain sit within Coolamon Shire; Ardlethan lies in the adjoining part of the district.
Geography
Bourke County lies in the Riverina, drained toward the Murrumbidgee River, which forms its southern limit. It is part of the Eastern Land Division and takes in the Wyalong, Temora Central and Wagga Wagga Land Districts.
History
The county was named for Sir Richard Bourke, Governor of New South Wales from 1831 to 1837, remembered for extending representative government and land reform in the colony, including the Squatting Act that regulated pastoral leases beyond the settled districts. Coolamon and Ganmain grew as wheat-belt towns after the railway reached the district in the 1880s, and the county’s grain silos still line the line through to Wagga Wagga.
FAQ
Is Bourke County still used?
Cadastral divisions like Bourke County remain in land titles and property descriptions but have no government function today.
What are the main towns in Bourke County?
Coolamon, Ganmain and Ardlethan are the county’s principal towns.
Which local government areas cover Bourke County?
Coolamon Shire covers the whole county’s core, with parts of Bland, Narrandera and Temora Shires and the City of Wagga Wagga taking in the rest.