Gordon County is one of New South Wales’ 141 cadastral divisions, covering the central-west area around Dubbo. It was named after George Hamilton Gordon, 4th Earl of Aberdeen (1784–1860). Dubbo is the county’s dominant town.
Key Facts
| Label | Value |
|---|---|
| State | New South Wales |
| Region | Central West |
| Named after | George Hamilton Gordon, 4th Earl of Aberdeen (1784–1860) |
| Principal town | Dubbo |
| Local government areas today | Dubbo Regional Council, Cabonne Council |
Parishes in Gordon County
The county holds 39 parishes, listed below.
- Belmore
- Benolong
- Benya
- Bolderogery
- Buckinbah
- Burgoon
- Burrawong
- Caloma
- Cardington
- Catombal
- Cullen
- Curra
- Dilga
- Draway
- Dubbo
- Eurimbula
- Ganoo
- Gilgal
- Gullengambel
- Gundy
- Hyandra
- Loombah
- Narragal
- Neurea
- Obley
- Oxley
- Ponto
- Redbank
- Roche
- Rocky Ponds
- Strathorn
- Terrabella
- The Gap
- The Springs
- Veech
- Wagstaff
- Wandawandong
- Warraberry
- Whylandra
Towns and Localities Today
Dubbo, in the Dubbo parish, is the largest inland city on this stretch of the Central West and the region’s retail and health hub. Smaller localities such as Wongarbon and Ballimore sit in the surrounding parishes but have no significant population of their own.
| Town | LGA | Approx. population |
|---|---|---|
| Dubbo | Dubbo Regional Council | 39,000 |
Geography
The Macquarie River forms Gordon County’s north-eastern boundary. The county sits on flat to gently undulating plains typical of the Central West wheat-sheep belt.
History
The county’s name honours George Hamilton Gordon, 4th Earl of Aberdeen, who served as British prime minister from 1852 to 1855, during the Crimean War. Dubbo, its principal town, grew from an 1830s pastoral run beside a Macquarie River crossing into a rail junction after the line reached it in 1881. It is now the region’s largest inland service centre, home to the Taronga Western Plains Zoo and a base for state government agencies covering the wider Central West.
FAQ
Is Gordon County still used?
Cadastral counties like Gordon remain in land titles and property descriptions but have no government function today.
What is the main town in Gordon County?
Dubbo, seat of Dubbo Regional Council, is the county’s only substantial town.
Which river borders Gordon County?
The Macquarie River runs along its north-eastern boundary.