Drake County is a cadastral county in northern New South Wales, one of the state’s 141 land divisions used for property titles. It lies north of the Clarence, Nymboida and Mann rivers in the Northern Rivers region. The name honours the English navigator Sir Francis Drake (1540–1596).
Key Facts
| State | New South Wales |
|---|---|
| Region | Northern Rivers / Clarence Valley |
| Named after | Sir Francis Drake (1540–1596) |
| Principal town | Tabulam |
| Local government areas today | Clarence Valley Council, Tenterfield Shire Council |
Parishes in Drake County
- Albert
- Alice
- Black Camp
- Cangai
- Carnham
- Chauvel
- Churchill
- Coombadjha
- Coongbar
- Cooraldooral
- Dandahra
- Drake
- Dunbar
- Ewingar
- Fairfield
- Hamilton
- Hassan
- Hongkong
- Keybarbin
- Malara
- Mookima
- Neville
- Ogilvie
- Picarbin
- Pikapene
- Plevna
- Pucka
- Puhoi
- Pulganbar
- Richmond
- Rodgers
- Rodham
- Sandilands
- Sistova
- Tabulam
- Timbarra
- West Fairfield
- Yarrcalkiarra
- Yulgilbar
Towns and Localities Today
Tabulam, on the Clarence River, is the main settlement inside Drake County and gives its name to the county’s largest parish. The former goldfield village of Drake, on the Timbarra River, still has a small permanent population. Washpool National Park covers a large share of the county’s eastern parishes, leaving most of the area as state forest and grazing land rather than towns.
Geography
Drake County sits north of the Clarence, Nymboida and Mann rivers, in hilly country that rises toward the Northern Tablelands. Washpool National Park, a World Heritage-listed rainforest reserve, lies within its boundary. Neighbouring counties include Buller, Rous, Clive, Richmond, Gough, Gresham and Clarence.
History
Surveyors proclaimed Drake County as part of the colonial land-division system that carved New South Wales into counties, parishes and portions for the sale and lease of Crown land. It was named for Sir Francis Drake, following the Northern Rivers convention of honouring English naval figures. The parish of Drake grew around a short-lived 1880s gold rush on the Timbarra River.
FAQ
Is Drake County still used?
Cadastral counties like Drake remain in land titles and property descriptions but have no government function today.
What local government area covers Drake County?
Most of the county sits within Clarence Valley Council, with the northern parishes in Tenterfield Shire Council.
What is the main town in Drake County?
Tabulam is the principal settlement, on the Clarence River at the edge of the county.