Farnell County is a cadastral county in far-western New South Wales, one of the state’s 141 land divisions used for property titles. It lies against the South Australian border, in remote pastoral country. The name honours James Squire Farnell (1825–1888), a Premier of New South Wales.
Key Facts
| State | New South Wales |
|---|---|
| Region | Far West NSW (unincorporated area) |
| Named after | James Squire Farnell (1825–1888), NSW Premier |
| Local government area today | Unincorporated Far West Region |
Parishes in Farnell County
- Alberta
- Avenel
- Badjerrigarn
- Bligh
- Boco
- Border
- Brunker
- Burgess
- Byjerkerno
- Campbell
- Chamberlain
- Cook
- Coonbaralba
- Corona
- Cultee
- Dering
- Floods Creek
- Fowlers Gap
- Giles
- Glenmore
- Gould
- Harris
- Kantappa
- Mulcatcha
- Patterson
- Stanley
- Sturt
- Table Top
- Tanyarto
- Teilta
- Torrowangee
- Wammerra
- Wonna
- Yowahro
Towns and Localities Today
Farnell County has no incorporated towns; it is unincorporated pastoral leasehold country west of Broken Hill. Fowlers Gap, in the county’s north, hosts a University of New South Wales arid-zone research station and outback homestead, the closest thing to a permanent settlement. The rest of the county consists of sheep and cattle stations along the Barrier Highway and Silver City Highway corridors.
Geography
Farnell County lies in the state’s far west, bordering South Australia along its western edge. It sits in flat to low-relief semi-arid terrain typical of the Barrier Range foothills. Neighbouring counties include Evelyn and Mootwingee to the north and Yancowinna to the south.
History
Surveyors proclaimed Farnell County as part of the colonial land-division system extended into the far west of New South Wales for the sale and lease of Crown land. It was named for James Squire Farnell, Premier of New South Wales from 1877 to 1878 and the first Australian-born person to hold the office. Pastoral leases, not gold or farming, have defined the county’s economy since settlement, and the Barrier Range’s mineral wealth further south drew far more attention than Farnell’s grazing land.
FAQ
Is Farnell County still used?
Cadastral counties like Farnell remain in land titles and property descriptions but have no government function today.
What local government area covers Farnell County?
The county lies in the Unincorporated Far West area, which has no council; the state government administers services directly.
Are there any towns in Farnell County?
No incorporated town lies within the county; Fowlers Gap research station is its best-known outpost.