Franklin County is a cadastral county in south-western New South Wales, one of the state’s 141 land divisions used for property titles. It lies north-west of Hillston, between Waverley Creek and the Lachlan River, named after Arctic explorer Sir John Franklin (1786–1847).
Key Facts
| State | New South Wales |
|---|---|
| Region | Riverina |
| Named after | Sir John Franklin (1786–1847), explorer and Lieutenant-Governor |
| Local government area today | Carrathool Shire Council, Hay Shire Council |
Parishes in Franklin County
- Audrey
- Baeda
- Bellatherie
- Beremagaa
- Bundunglong
- Caaba
- Clutha
- Embagga
- Florabel
- Golgothrie
- Gonowlia
- Goolagunni
- Hadyn
- Ideraway
- Ini
- Kendal
- Kirindi
- Kongong
- Lalla
- Marowie
- Merungle
- Merv
- Molesworth
- Moolborg
- Myamyn
- Narralin
- Nellywanna
- Papekura
- Poli
- Roeta
- Saburra
- Terry
- Thononga
- Tooloor
- Urugalah
- Vieta
- Warragoodinia
- Wheelbah
- Wirringa
- Wogonga
- Wyadra
- Wyuna
- Yandembah
- Yaree
Towns and Localities Today
Franklin County has no incorporated town of its own; Hillston, on the Lachlan River, lies just outside its southern edge and serves as the nearest service centre for the county’s grazing and cropping properties. Almost all of the county sits within Carrathool Shire, with one parish, Thononga, in Hay Shire. The area is sparsely settled irrigation and dryland farming country.
Geography
Franklin County lies between Waverley Creek and the Lachlan River, north-west of Hillston, in flat Riverina plains country used for irrigated cotton, cereal cropping and sheep grazing. The Lachlan River supplies water for irrigation channels that reach parts of the county’s southern parishes.
History
Surveyors proclaimed Franklin 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 John Franklin, the Arctic explorer, Rear Admiral and Lieutenant-Governor of Van Diemen’s Land who later died searching for the Northwest Passage. Carrathool Shire, which administers almost all of the county, remains one of the most sparsely populated council areas on the western plains.
FAQ
Is Franklin County still used?
Cadastral counties like Franklin remain in land titles and property descriptions but have no government function today.
What local government areas cover Franklin County?
Almost all parishes lie within Carrathool Shire, with one parish in Hay Shire.
Is there a town in Franklin County?
No incorporated town lies inside the county; Hillston, just to the south, is the nearest service centre.