Hunter 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 much of Wollemi National Park between the Hunter and Colo rivers, and was named after Governor John Hunter (1737–1821).
Key Facts
| Label | Value |
|---|---|
| State | New South Wales |
| Region | Hunter Valley / Blue Mountains fringe |
| Proclaimed | 1826, one of the original Nineteen Counties |
| Named after | Governor John Hunter (1737–1821) |
| Local government areas today | Hawkesbury City, Muswellbrook Shire, Singleton Council, City of Lithgow |
Parishes in Hunter County
The county holds 64 parishes, listed below.
- Angorawa
- Arndell
- Baerami
- Blackwater
- Bulga
- Bureen
- Capertee
- Caroora
- Colo
- Cook
- Coonbaralba
- Coorongooba
- Coricudgy
- Doyle
- Glen Alice
- Grono
- Gullongulong
- Gungalwa
- Hawkesbury
- Hungerford
- Hunter
- Innes
- Ivory
- Jamison
- Kekeelbon
- Kindarun
- Lemington
- Macdonald
- Martindale
- McLean
- Medhurst
- Mediwah
- Mellong
- Mirrie
- Monundilla
- Myrtle
- Nullo
- Palomorang
- Parnell
- Parr
- Parry
- Phillip
- Piribil
- Poppong
- Putty
- Six Brothers
- Sturt
- Tollagong
- Tomalpin
- Tonga
- Tupa
- Wambo
- Wareng
- Weeney
- White
- Whybrow
- Wilpen
- Windsor
- Wirraba
- Wolgan
- Wollemi
- Womerah
- Wonga
- Yengo
Towns and Localities Today
Windsor, in the parish of the same name, is the county’s largest historic town, one of Australia’s oldest European settlements on the Hawkesbury River. Singleton and Muswellbrook lie in the county’s north, serving the upper Hunter Valley’s coal and horse-breeding districts.
| Town | LGA | Approx. population |
|---|---|---|
| Singleton | Singleton Council | 16,000 |
| Muswellbrook | Muswellbrook Shire | 12,000 |
| Windsor | Hawkesbury City | 7,700 |
Geography
The Hunter River borders the county on the north, the Colo River on the south, and the Macdonald River on the east. Hunter County takes in much of Wollemi National Park, one of the largest wilderness areas in NSW, in its rugged interior.
History
Hunter County was proclaimed in 1826 as one of the Nineteen Counties marking the limits of settlement under Governor Ralph Darling, and named after Captain John Hunter, the colony’s second governor. Windsor, on its southern edge, was founded in 1810 as one of the five original Macquarie towns.
FAQ
Is Hunter County still used?
Cadastral counties like Hunter remain in land titles and property descriptions but have no government function today.
What is the main town in Hunter County?
Windsor, on the Hawkesbury River, is its oldest and most historic town; Singleton and Muswellbrook are its largest population centres.
What natural feature dominates Hunter County?
Wollemi National Park, one of the largest wilderness areas in NSW, covers much of its interior.