Fitzroy County is a cadastral county on the New South Wales north coast, one of the state’s 141 land divisions used for property titles. It takes in Coffs Harbour and lies between the Orara River to the north and the Bellinger River to the south. It is named after NSW Governor Sir Charles Augustus Fitzroy.
Key Facts
| State | New South Wales |
|---|---|
| Region | North Coast |
| Named after | Sir Charles Augustus Fitzroy, NSW Governor |
| Principal towns | Coffs Harbour, Woolgoolga, Corindi |
| Local government areas today | City of Coffs Harbour, Clarence Valley Council, Bellingen Shire Council |
Parishes in Fitzroy County
- Allan
- Allans Water
- Bagawa
- Bardool
- Bardsley
- Blaxland
- Blicks
- Bligh
- Bobo
- Bostobrick
- Chambigne
- Coff
- Comlaroi
- Cope
- Corindi
- Duckan Duckan
- Ermington
- Fenton
- Gundar
- Hernani
- Hyland
- Jardine
- Koukandowie
- Kremnos
- Leigh
- Martin
- Meldrum Downs
- Moonee
- Moonpar
- Nymboida
- Orara
- Ross
- Shannon
- Shea
- Sherwood
- Stewart
- Tallawudjah
- Toothill
- Towallum
- Turville
- Tyringham
- Ucombe
- Waihou
- Wiriri
- Wongawanga
- Woolgoolga
Towns and Localities Today
Coffs Harbour, the largest town on the NSW north coast, sits at the heart of Fitzroy County. Woolgoolga, a coastal town north of Coffs Harbour with a large Sikh community, and Corindi Beach, further north again, are the other principal settlements. Nana Glen and Ulong, inland toward the Orara Valley, are smaller localities within the county.
Geography
Fitzroy County lies between the Orara River to the north and the Bellinger River to the south, fronting the Pacific Ocean along its eastern edge. Neighbouring counties include Gresham, Clarence, Clarke and Raleigh.
History
Surveyors proclaimed Fitzroy 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 is named for Sir Charles Augustus Fitzroy, Governor of New South Wales from 1846 to 1855. Timber cutting drove early settlement around Coffs Harbour before the port and later tourism took over.
FAQ
Is Fitzroy County still used?
Cadastral counties like Fitzroy remain in land titles and property descriptions but have no government function today.
What local government areas cover Fitzroy County?
Most of the county sits within the City of Coffs Harbour, with parishes also in Clarence Valley Council and Bellingen Shire Council.
What is the main town in Fitzroy County?
Coffs Harbour is the county’s principal town, with Woolgoolga and Corindi Beach the other significant settlements.