Napier County is one of New South Wales’ 141 cadastral divisions, covering central-west country around Coolah and Mendooran. It is named for Field Marshal Robert Cornelius Napier, 1st Baron Napier of Magdala (1810-1890).
Key Facts
| Label | Value |
|---|---|
| State | New South Wales |
| Region | Central west, around Coolah, Mendooran and Binnaway |
| Named after | Field Marshal Robert Cornelius Napier, 1st Baron Napier of Magdala (1810-1890) |
| Principal towns | Coolah, Mendooran |
| Local government today | Warrumbungle Shire |
Parishes in Napier County
- Allison
- Biamble
- Binnaway
- Binnia
- Bullinda
- Bungabah
- Butheroo
- Carlisle
- Cookabingie
- Coolah
- Dalglish
- Gundare
- Lowe
- Malcolm
- Mendooran
- Merrygoen
- Moorangoorang
- Morven
- Mumbedah
- Napier
- Narangarie
- Neible
- Piambra
- Purlewaugh
- Queensborough
- Terrawinda
- Toorawandi
- Ulinda
- Yuggel
Towns and Localities Today
Coolah and Mendooran are the county’s main towns, with Binnaway a smaller rail junction settlement. All three sit within Warrumbungle Shire, on grazing and cropping country at the western edge of the Warrumbungle Range.
| Town | LGA |
|---|---|
| Coolah | Warrumbungle Shire |
| Mendooran | Warrumbungle Shire |
| Binnaway | Warrumbungle Shire |
Geography
Napier County covers rolling country on the central west, entirely within Warrumbungle Shire. The Castlereagh River and its tributaries drain the county, with the Warrumbungle Range forming high ground to the south-east. Merrygoen and Purlewaugh mark the county’s eastern approaches, where cropping gives way to timbered ridges.
Economy & Local Life
Sheep, cattle and grain farming are the main industries across the county. Coolah is a service town for surrounding wheat and wool properties, and Binnaway retains its rail-junction character despite reduced freight traffic.
History
The county honours Field Marshal Robert Cornelius Napier, 1st Baron Napier of Magdala, a senior British Army officer of the Victorian era. It was proclaimed as part of the systematic cadastral survey extended across the colony’s settled districts in the 19th century.
FAQ
Where is Napier County?
It lies in the central west of New South Wales, around Coolah, Mendooran and Binnaway.
What is Napier County named after?
Field Marshal Robert Cornelius Napier, 1st Baron Napier of Magdala, a 19th-century British military commander.
Is Napier County still used?
Cadastral counties like Napier remain in land titles and property descriptions but have no government function today.