Hawes County is one of New South Wales’ 141 cadastral divisions, in the rugged headwaters country of the upper Manning and Hastings rivers. It was named after Sir Benjamin Hawes (1797–1862). Nowendoc, on the Thunderbolts Way, is its main settlement.
Key Facts
| Label | Value |
|---|---|
| State | New South Wales |
| Region | Mid North Coast hinterland |
| Named after | Sir Benjamin Hawes (1797–1862) |
| Principal town | Nowendoc |
| Local government areas today | MidCoast Council, Upper Hunter Shire, Walcha Council, Tamworth Regional Council, Port Macquarie-Hastings Council |
Parishes in Hawes County
The county holds 39 parishes, listed below.
- Barnard
- Barry
- Brock
- Campbell
- Cobb
- Coolcumba
- Cooplacurripa
- Couatwong
- Curracabundi
- Curricabark
- Dewitt
- Giro
- Hall
- Hastings
- Hawes
- Lowry
- Mackay
- Mernot
- Mukki
- Mummel
- Murray
- Myall
- Myra
- Naylor
- Nowendoc
- Parkes
- Rowley
- Rushbrook
- Schofield
- Tobin
- Togalo
- Tomalla
- Uriamukki
- Vant
- Ward
- Werrikimbe
- White
- Woko
- Yeerawun
Towns and Localities Today
Nowendoc, in the parish of the same name, is a small farming and forestry settlement on the road between Gloucester and Walcha. The rest of the county is sparsely populated, taking in Werrikimbe National Park and state forest.
Geography
The Manning River borders Hawes County on the south. The county covers steep, forested escarpment country where the Great Dividing Range drops toward the Mid North Coast, including parts of Werrikimbe National Park.
History
The county’s name honours Sir Benjamin Hawes, a British parliamentary under-secretary for war during the mid-19th century. Its rugged, steep terrain kept close settlement thin compared with the coastal counties to its east, and much of it remains state forest or national park rather than farmland. Timber-getting was the main early industry, working the tall eucalypt and rainforest stands that still cover the escarpment.
FAQ
Is Hawes County still used?
Cadastral counties like Hawes remain in land titles and property descriptions but have no government function today.
What is the main settlement in Hawes County?
Nowendoc, on the Thunderbolts Way, is the county’s principal settlement.
What natural feature lies within Hawes County?
Werrikimbe National Park, a rugged escarpment wilderness, covers much of its south.