Murray County was one of New South Wales’ original Nineteen Counties, proclaimed in the colony’s early settled districts, and is now one of the state’s 141 cadastral divisions. It covers the country around Queanbeyan, Yass and Lake George, and originally reached south to include what is now Canberra.
Key Facts
| Label | Value |
|---|---|
| State | New South Wales |
| Region | Southern tablelands, around Queanbeyan, Yass and Lake George |
| Established | One of the original Nineteen Counties |
| Named after | Lieutenant-Governor Sir George Murray (1772-1846) |
| Principal towns | Queanbeyan, Yass, Bungendore |
| Local government today | Queanbeyan-Palerang Regional Council, Yass Valley Council, Goulburn Mulwaree Council, Snowy Monaro Regional Council |
Parishes in Murray County
- Amungula
- Ballallaba
- Barnet
- Bedulluck
- Boambolo
- Bullongong
- Burra
- Butmaroo
- Bywong
- Canberra (former)
- Carwoola
- Currandooly
- Ellenden
- Fairy Meadow
- Gigerline (former)
- Ginninderra
- Googong
- Goorooyarroo
- Gundaroo
- Hume
- Jeir
- Jinero
- Jinglemoney
- Jinjera
- Keewong
- Krawarree
- Lake George
- Larbert
- Majura
- Merigan
- Molonglo
- Monkellan
- Mulloon
- Murrumbateman
- Nanima
- Narrabundah (former)
- Ollalulla
- Oronmear
- Palerang
- Pialligo
- Purrorumba
- Queanbeyan
- Talagandra
- Tantangera
- Thurralilly
- Toual
- Tuggeranong
- Urialla
- Wallaroo
- Wamboin
- Warri
- Warroo
- Weetangera
- Werriwa
- Yanununbeyan
- Yarrolumla (former)
- Yarrow
- Yass
Towns and Localities Today
Queanbeyan is the county’s largest town, a satellite city bordering Canberra. Yass, Bungendore and Gundaroo are the other main centres, serving the surrounding grazing and vineyard country.
| Town | LGA |
|---|---|
| Queanbeyan | Queanbeyan-Palerang Regional Council |
| Yass | Yass Valley Council |
| Bungendore | Queanbeyan-Palerang Regional Council |
Geography
Murray County was originally bounded by the Murrumbidgee River in the west, the Shoalhaven River in the east and the Yass River in the north, on the southern tablelands. Lake George, an intermittent lake, sits within the county’s north-eastern parishes, draining internally rather than to the sea.
Economy & Local Life
Grazing and, more recently, vineyards around Murrumbateman and Gundaroo drive the rural economy, while Queanbeyan functions largely as a residential and commercial satellite of Canberra. Yass sits on the Hume Highway and Main Southern rail line, a service town for surrounding sheep and cattle country.
History
Murray County is named for Lieutenant-Governor Sir George Murray (1772-1846) and was proclaimed as one of the colony’s original Nineteen Counties. In 1911, four of its parishes, Canberra, Yarrolumla, Narrabundah and Gigerline, were excised to form the Australian Capital Territory, permanently reducing the county’s land area.
FAQ
Where is Murray County?
It lies on the southern tablelands of New South Wales, around Queanbeyan, Yass and Lake George.
Did Murray County include Canberra?
Yes. Its Canberra, Yarrolumla, Narrabundah and Gigerline parishes became part of the Australian Capital Territory in 1911.
Is Murray County still used?
Cadastral counties like Murray remain in land titles and property descriptions but have no government function today.