Gloucester County is one of New South Wales’ original Nineteen Counties, proclaimed in 1826, and remains one of the state’s 141 cadastral divisions. It covers the lower Manning Valley and the Port Stephens coast on the Mid North Coast, and takes its name from County Gloucester in England. Its principal towns are Gloucester, Forster, Tuncurry and Bulahdelah.
Key Facts
| Label | Value |
|---|---|
| State | New South Wales |
| Region | Mid North Coast |
| Proclaimed | 1826, one of the original Nineteen Counties |
| Named after | County Gloucester, England |
| Principal towns | Gloucester, Forster, Tuncurry, Bulahdelah |
| Local government areas today | MidCoast Council, Port Stephens Council |
Parishes in Gloucester County
The county holds 79 parishes, listed below.
- Alfred
- Avon
- Bachelor
- Barrington
- Beean Beean
- Belbora
- Berrico
- Beryan
- Bindera
- Blackcamp
- Bohnock
- Boolambayte
- Booral
- Bootawa
- Boranel
- Bulahdelah
- Carrington
- Coolongolook
- Coweambah
- Craven
- Crosbie
- Curreeki
- East Seaham
- Eldon
- Eurunderee
- Euther
- Evans
- Faulkland
- Fens
- Fitzroy
- Forster
- Fosterton
- Gloucester
- Gorton
- Grant
- Gundaine
- Hewong
- Horton
- Irralong
- Karuah
- Kimbriki
- Knowla
- Kornga
- Kundibakh
- Kyle
- Limestone
- Milli
- Mimi
- Monkerai
- Mount George
- Myall
- Nerong
- Stowell
- Stroud
- Sutton
- Talawahl
- Tarean
- Teleraree
- Terreel
- Thalaba
- Tillegra
- Tinonee
- Tiri
- Tomago
- Tomaree
- Topi Topi
- Trevor
- Tuncurry
- Underbank
- Verulam
- Viney Creek
- Wallingat
- Wang Wauk
- Wangat
- Wawgan
- Willabah
- Wilmot
- Wollom
- Womboin
Towns and Localities Today
Gloucester town sits on the Avon River below the Barrington Tops. Forster and Tuncurry face each other across the entrance to Wallis Lake, and together form the coast’s main service centre. Bulahdelah sits on the Myall River, on the Pacific Highway route between Newcastle and Taree.
| Town | LGA | Approx. population |
|---|---|---|
| Forster | MidCoast Council | 8,400 |
| Tuncurry | MidCoast Council | 6,600 |
| Gloucester | MidCoast Council | 2,900 |
| Bulahdelah | MidCoast Council | 1,100 |
Geography
The Manning River forms the county’s north and west boundary; the Williams River borders it on the south-west. Gloucester County meets the Pacific coast at Port Stephens and takes in the Bulahdelah state forests and part of the Barrington Tops foothills.
History
Gloucester County was proclaimed in 1826 as one of the Nineteen Counties marking the limits of settlement under Governor Ralph Darling. Its name repeats an English county name, a common pattern among the Nineteen Counties.
FAQ
Is Gloucester County still used?
Cadastral counties like Gloucester remain in land titles and property descriptions but have no government function today.
What towns does Gloucester County cover?
Gloucester, Forster, Tuncurry and Bulahdelah are its main towns, spread across MidCoast Council.
Why is it called Gloucester County?
It was named after County Gloucester in England, one of several Nineteen Counties given English county names.