Hume County is one of New South Wales’ 141 cadastral divisions, on the Riverina border with Victoria. It was named after explorer Hamilton Hume (1797–1873). Culcairn is its main town.
Key Facts
| Label | Value |
|---|---|
| State | New South Wales |
| Region | Riverina, Victorian border |
| Named after | Explorer Hamilton Hume (1797–1873) |
| Principal town | Culcairn |
| Local government areas today | Federation Council, Greater Hume Shire |
Parishes in Hume County
The county holds 43 parishes, listed below.
- Billabong Forest
- Brocklesby
- Buckargingah
- Bulgandry
- Bungowannah
- Buraja
- Burrangong
- Burrumbuttock
- Castlestead
- Collendina
- Comer
- Corowa
- Creighton
- Gibson
- Goombargana
- Gordon
- Granville
- Gray
- Henty
- Hindmarsh
- Hovell
- Howlong
- Kentucky
- Lowes
- Mahonga
- Mahonga Forest
- Moorwatha
- Morebringer
- Morven
- Osborne
- Piney Range
- Quat Quatta
- Rand
- Richmond
- Round Hill
- Ryan
- Sandy Ridges
- Sherwyn
- Stitt
- Thugga
- Walbundrie
- Walla Walla
- Wilson
Towns and Localities Today
Culcairn, on the Olympic Highway between Albury and Wagga Wagga, is the county’s main town. Corowa, on the Murray River, and Henty, north of Culcairn, are the other significant towns.
| Town | LGA | Approx. population |
|---|---|---|
| Corowa | Federation Council | 5,500 |
| Culcairn | Greater Hume Shire | 1,300 |
| Henty | Greater Hume Shire | 1,000 |
Geography
Hume County borders Urana, Mitchell, Denison and Goulburn counties in NSW, with Moira, Bogong and Benambra counties across the Murray River in Victoria.
History
The county’s name honours explorer Hamilton Hume, who with William Hovell crossed this district on their 1824 overland journey from Sydney to Port Phillip, the first European expedition to reach what is now Victoria overland. Corowa later hosted the 1893 federation conference that helped launch the movement toward Australian federation, and the town still marks the event each year. Culcairn’s grain silos and heritage railway hotel reflect its history as a wheat-belt rail town.
FAQ
Is Hume County still used?
Cadastral counties like Hume remain in land titles and property descriptions but have no government function today.
What is the main town in Hume County?
Culcairn, on the Olympic Highway, is the county’s principal town.
Which counties border Hume County?
Urana, Mitchell, Denison and Goulburn counties border it in NSW, with Moira, Bogong and Benambra counties in Victoria across the Murray.