Darling County is one of New South Wales’ 141 cadastral divisions, used today only for land titles. It lies in the north-west slopes region and includes the towns of Manilla and Barraba.
Key Facts
| Label | Value |
|---|---|
| State | New South Wales |
| Region | North-west slopes |
| Named after | Sir Ralph Darling (1775–1858), likely, seventh Governor of New South Wales |
| Principal towns | Manilla, Barraba |
| Local government areas today | Tamworth Regional Council (most parishes); Gunnedah Shire (Keepit, Namoi) |
Parishes in Darling County
- Alfred
- Baldwin
- Barraba
- Belmore
- Borah
- Borinde
- Cuerindi
- Darling
- Dinawirindi
- Dowe
- Eumur
- Fitzroy
- Fleming
- Gladstone
- Gulligal
- Hall
- Halloran
- Hobden
- Ironbark
- Keepit
- Lowry
- Manilla
- Mundowey
- Namoi
- Nandewar
- Nangahrah
- Newry
- North Barraba
- Rangiri
- Tarpoly
- Tiabundie
- Veness
- Warrabah
- Welsh
- Wilson
- Woodsreef
Towns and Localities Today
Manilla, at the junction of the Namoi and Manilla rivers, is Darling County’s larger town. Barraba lies further north, close to the Nandewar Range.
| Town | LGA | Population 2021 |
|---|---|---|
| Manilla | Tamworth Regional Council | 2,386 |
| Barraba | Tamworth Regional Council | 1,035 |
Geography
Darling County sits in the Namoi River valley on the north-west slopes, running up to the Nandewar Range near Barraba. The parish of Namoi, on the county’s western edge, takes its name from the river that drains the whole district toward the Barwon.
History
Darling County was most likely named after Sir Ralph Darling (1775–1858), the seventh Governor of New South Wales, who held office from 1825 to 1831. Pastoral settlement in the Namoi valley followed later than in the coastal counties, once inland surveying pushed north-west from the Hunter Valley.
FAQ
Is Darling County still used?
Cadastral divisions like Darling remain in land titles and property descriptions but have no government function.
What towns are in Darling County?
Manilla (population 2,386) and Barraba (population 1,035) at the 2021 census are its two towns.
Who was Darling County named after?
Most likely Sir Ralph Darling (1775–1858), the seventh Governor of New South Wales.