Forbes County is a cadastral county in central-western New South Wales, one of the state’s 141 land divisions used for property titles. It lies south of the Lachlan River near the town of Forbes and extends south to Grenfell, and east to Cowra and Koorawatha. It is named after Sir Francis Forbes (1784–1841), Chief Justice of New South Wales.
Key Facts
| State | New South Wales |
|---|---|
| Region | Central West |
| Named after | Sir Francis Forbes (1784–1841), NSW Chief Justice |
| Principal towns | Forbes, Grenfell |
| Local government areas today | Forbes Shire Council, Cowra Shire Council, Weddin Shire Council |
Parishes in Forbes County
- Bandon
- Bang Bang
- Binda
- Birangan
- Bogolong
- Boyd
- Braulin
- Broula
- Bundaburrah
- Conimbla
- Cudgelong
- Cumbijowa
- Currowong
- Erasa
- Eualdrie
- Gooloogong
- Goonigal
- Jemalong
- Kangarooby
- Maudry
- Melyra
- Merriganowry
- Morongla
- Mulyan
- Mulyandry
- Nanima
- Neila
- Ooma
- Tallabung
- Thurungle
- Waayourigong
- Wallah Wallah
- Warraderry
- Warrangong
- Warrumba
- Wattamondara
- Wheoga
- Wongajong
Towns and Localities Today
Forbes, on the Lachlan River, is the county’s namesake town and its largest, sitting within Forbes Shire. Grenfell, to the south, is a gold-rush-era town in Weddin Shire and the birthplace of poet Henry Lawson. Gooloogong lies further along the Lachlan valley within the county’s boundary, with smaller localities such as Wattamondara toward Cowra.
Geography
Forbes County sits south of the Lachlan River, which forms its boundary with Bathurst County. Other neighbouring counties include Cunningham, Ashburnham, Gipps, Bland, Monteagle and King.
History
Surveyors proclaimed Forbes 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 Francis Forbes, the first Chief Justice of New South Wales, who held the post from 1824 to 1837. Gold rushes at Forbes and Grenfell in the 1860s and 1870s drove the county’s early growth; bushranger Ben Hall was killed near Forbes in 1865, and outlaw Frank Gardiner robbed the Eugowra gold escort not far from the county’s northern edge.
FAQ
Is Forbes County still used?
Cadastral counties like Forbes remain in land titles and property descriptions but have no government function today.
What local government areas cover Forbes County?
Its parishes fall across Forbes Shire, Cowra Shire and Weddin Shire.
What is the main town in Forbes County?
Forbes, on the Lachlan River, is the county’s principal town, with Grenfell the other major centre.