Cook County is one of New South Wales’ original Nineteen Counties, proclaimed before 1834, and remains one of the state’s 141 cadastral divisions used for land titles. It covers the Blue Mountains west of Sydney and takes in Lithgow, Katoomba, Wentworth Falls, and Mount Victoria. It has no government function today.
Key Facts
| Label | Value |
|---|---|
| State | New South Wales |
| Region | Blue Mountains, west of Sydney |
| Established | Original Nineteen Counties (before 1834) |
| Named after | James Cook (1728–1779), navigator |
| Principal towns | Lithgow, Katoomba, Wentworth Falls, Mount Victoria, Lawson |
| Local government areas today | City of Lithgow, City of Blue Mountains, City of Hawkesbury, City of Penrith |
Parishes in Cook County
- Barton
- Bilpin
- Blackheath
- Bowen
- Burralow
- Capertee
- Clwydd
- Colo
- Cooba
- Cook
- Coomassie
- Cox
- Currency
- Falnash
- Gindantherie
- Goollooinboin
- Govett
- Govett South
- Grose
- Hartley
- Irvine
- Jamison
- Kanimbla
- Kedumba
- Kurrajong
- Lett
- Lidsdale
- Linden
- Magdala
- Marrangaroo
- Meehan
- Megalong
- Merroo
- Mouin
- Nepean
- Rock Hill
- Strathdon
- Warragamba
- Wheeny
- Wilberforce
- Wolgan
- Wollangambe
- Wollangambe North
- Wollemi
- Woodford
Towns and Localities Today
Cook County holds most of the Blue Mountains’ towns and villages, strung along the old Great Western railway and highway corridor. Lithgow, on the county’s western edge, is the largest urban centre. Katoomba is the main tourist town of the upper mountains.
| Town | LGA | Population 2021 |
|---|---|---|
| Lithgow | City of Lithgow | 12,385 |
| Katoomba | City of Blue Mountains | 8,268 |
Geography
The Nepean River forms Cook County’s eastern boundary, the Colo River bounds it to the north, and the Coxs River runs along its south and west. Before 1834 the area belonged to the counties of Westmoreland, Northumberland, and Roxburgh.
History
Cook County was named after the navigator James Cook (1728–1779). Between 1856 and 1859 the Cook and Westmoreland Electoral District was the area’s first state electoral seat.
FAQ
Is Cook County still used?
Cadastral counties like Cook remain in land titles and property descriptions but have no government function.
What towns are in Cook County?
Lithgow, Katoomba, Wentworth Falls, Mount Victoria, and Lawson are its main towns, along with most other Blue Mountains settlements.
Who was Cook County named after?
Navigator James Cook (1728–1779), for whom the county is named in honour.