King County is one of New South Wales’ original Nineteen Counties and one of 141 cadastral divisions used today for land titles. It lies east of Yass in the state’s southern tablelands, with the Lachlan and Boorowa rivers running through its northern section and the Yass River forming its southern boundary.
Key Facts
| Label | Value |
|---|---|
| State | New South Wales |
| Region | Southern tablelands, east of Yass |
| Named after | Governor Philip Gidley King (1758–1808) |
| Principal towns | Frogmore, Taylors Flat, Gunnary, Rugby, Rye Park |
| Local government areas today | Boorowa Council, Upper Lachlan Shire, Yass Valley Council |
Parishes in King County
- Alton
- Bala
- Bango
- Barnett
- Biala
- Blakney
- Boorowa
- Bramah
- Bunton
- Crookwell
- Crosby
- Cullarin
- Dalton
- Derringullen
- Dixon
- Garway
- Grabben Gullen
- Graham
- Gunnary
- Gunning
- Hovell
- Jerrara
- Jerrawa
- Kember
- Kenyu
- Kildare
- Lampton
- Lerida
- Manton
- Merrill
- Mundoonen
- Narrawa
- Nelanglo
- Newham
- Numby
- Olney
- Opton
- Preston
- Rabnor
- Romner
- Rugby
- Taunton
- Wallah
- Ware
- Wheeo
- Winduella
- Wyangala
- Yass
Towns and Localities Today
Frogmore, Taylors Flat, Gunnary, Rugby and Rye Park are the working villages of King County, small service centres for the surrounding grazing and cropping land between the Lachlan and Yass rivers. None has a current census figure published separately, but all sit within Boorowa Council or Upper Lachlan Shire and retain a hall, school or church typical of the district’s small settlements.
Geography
The Lachlan River and Boorowa River run through King County’s north, the Crookwell River forms part of the northern boundary, and the Yass River marks the southern limit. The county borders Forbes, Bathurst, Georgiana, Monteagle, Argyle, Harden and Murray counties.
History
King County was one of the original Nineteen Counties proclaimed to define the limits of settlement in colonial New South Wales, later folded into the state’s wider system of 141 cadastral divisions. It was named for Governor Philip Gidley King, the colony’s third governor.
FAQ
Is King County still used?
Cadastral counties like King remain in land titles and property descriptions but have no government function today. Local services are administered by Boorowa Council, Upper Lachlan Shire and Yass Valley Council.
What towns are in King County?
Frogmore, Taylors Flat, Gunnary, Rugby and Rye Park are the county’s main villages.
What rivers border King County?
The Lachlan and Boorowa rivers run through its north, the Crookwell River forms part of the northern boundary, and the Yass River marks the south.