Leichhardt County is one of New South Wales’ 141 cadastral divisions, used for land titles rather than local government. It lies south of the Namoi River and straddles both banks of the Castlereagh River, in the state’s northwest, and includes the town of Coonamble.
Key Facts
| Label | Value |
|---|---|
| State | New South Wales |
| Region | Northwest NSW, south of the Namoi River |
| Named after | Friedrich Wilhelm Ludwig Leichhardt (1813–1848), Prussian naturalist and explorer |
| Principal town | Coonamble |
| Local government areas today | Coonamble Shire (most parishes); Walgett Shire (northern parishes) |
Parishes in Leichhardt County
- Aberfoyle
- Amos
- Baronne
- Bimble
- Bogewang
- Borgara
- Brewan
- Buchanan
- Budgeon
- Bulgah
- Bulgogar
- Bullarora
- Calga
- Cambara
- Campbell
- Carrabear
- Carwell
- Castlereagh
- Collinouie
- Colmia
- Colomy
- Conimbia
- Cooeyah Warrah
- Coonamble
- Coonamoona
- Dahomey
- Devon
- Dinoa
- Edgeroi
- Ellis
- Elongery
- Eulah
- Euroka
- Geelnoy
- Gelambula
- Gidgerygah
- Gidginbilla
- Gilgooma
- Gilguldry
- Gilwarny
- Goorianawa
- Gungalman
- Gungalman North
- Gunna
- Keadool
- Kidgar
- Magometon
- Matouree
- Mogil
- Moolambong
- Moora
- Moorambilla
- Mourabie
- Mowlma
- Mundare
- Mungery
- Munna Munna
- Murraiman
- Narratigah
- Nebea
- Nedgera
- Neinby
- Nelgowrie
- Nimbia
- Ningear
- Noonbar
- Nugal
- Oural
- Parmiduan
- Pier Pier
- Quanda Quanda
- Quonmoona
- Sussex
- Tahrone
- Tallegar
- Terembone
- Teridgerie
- Thara
- Toloora
- Tooloon
- Toora
- Trielmon
- Ularbie
- Ulundry
- Urawilkie
- Waddiwong
- Walla Walla
- Wambelong
- Warraba East
- Warrabah
- Warragan
- Warren Downs
- Warrena
- Weetaliba
- Willaga
- Wingadee
- Winnaba
- Woolingar
- Worinjerong
- Yarragoora
- Yarrayin
- Yoee
- Youendah
- Yuma
Towns and Localities Today
Coonamble, on the Castlereagh River, is the only substantial town in Leichhardt County and the seat of Coonamble Shire. Its 2021 census population was 2,353, a fall of 2.3 percent on the previous census, reflecting the slow decline common to inland NSW service towns.
Geography
Leichhardt County straddles the Castlereagh River and lies south of the Namoi River. It borders Narran, Finch, Baradine, Clyde, Gregory, Ewenmar and Gowen counties across the surrounding northwest plains.
History
Leichhardt was proclaimed under the standard colonial cadastral survey of New South Wales and named for the Prussian naturalist and explorer Friedrich Wilhelm Ludwig Leichhardt, who disappeared without trace on an 1848 expedition attempting to cross the continent from east to west.
FAQ
Is Leichhardt County still used?
Cadastral counties like Leichhardt remain in land titles and property descriptions but have no government function today. Local services are administered by Coonamble Shire and Walgett Shire.
What is the main town in Leichhardt County?
Coonamble, on the Castlereagh River, had a 2021 census population of 2,353.
What river runs through Leichhardt County?
The Castlereagh River runs through both sides of the county, which also lies south of the Namoi River.