Dudley County is a cadastral county on the New South Wales mid-north coast, one of the state’s 141 land divisions used for property titles. The Apsley River forms part of its southern border near the coast. It is named after Dudley Ryder, 2nd Earl of Harrowby (1798–1882).
Key Facts
| State | New South Wales |
|---|---|
| Region | Mid North Coast |
| Named after | Dudley Ryder, 2nd Earl of Harrowby (1798–1882) |
| Principal towns | Bellbrook, Willawarrin |
| Local government areas today | Kempsey Shire Council |
Parishes in Dudley County
- Bandi Bandi
- Barraganyatti
- Bellbrook
- Boonanghi
- Burragong
- Clarke
- Cliffs
- Clybucca
- Collombatti
- Comara
- Cooroobongatti
- Dudley
- Gordon
- Hickey
- Kalateenee
- Kemp
- Kullatine
- Loftus
- Macleay
- Nulla Nulla
- Oreen
- Panton
- Parrabel
- Pee Dee
- Stuart
- Tanban
- Uralgurra
- Vernon
- Warbro
- Warne
- Willawarrin
- Willi Willi
- Wittitrin
- Wolseley
- Yarrabandini
- Yarrahapinni
- Yarravel
Towns and Localities Today
The county’s settlements sit along the Macleay River valley and its tributaries, all within Kempsey Shire. Bellbrook is a small river town used as a gateway to Yarriabini and Werrikimbe national parks. Willawarrin, on the Kempsey–Armidale road, and Comara, further upriver, are the other named localities that still function as small communities. Much of the county’s western half is state forest and national park rather than settled land.
Geography
Dudley County lies on the Macleay River system, with the Apsley River marking part of its southern boundary near the coast. The land rises from the coastal plain into forested ranges toward the New England escarpment, taking in parts of Willi Willi and Werrikimbe national parks. Neighbouring counties include Clarke to the west, Raleigh to the north, Vernon and Macquarie to the south-west and Hawes to the south.
History
Surveyors proclaimed Dudley County as part of the colonial land-division system that divided New South Wales into counties, parishes and portions for the sale and lease of Crown land. It was named for Dudley Ryder, 2nd Earl of Harrowby, a British statesman, following the practice of naming Macleay Valley counties after peers of the realm.
FAQ
Is Dudley County still used?
Cadastral counties like Dudley remain in land titles and property descriptions but have no government function today.
What local government area covers Dudley County?
All of Dudley County’s parishes sit within Kempsey Shire Council.
What is the main town in Dudley County?
Bellbrook, on the Macleay River, is the largest settlement, with Willawarrin the other named town.