Nicholson County is one of New South Wales’ 141 cadastral divisions, covering the country around Hillston in the state’s western Riverina. It takes in Hillston, Goolgowi, Gunbar, Merriwagga, Goorawin and Langtree, and the Lachlan River forms its north-western boundary.
Key Facts
| Label | Value |
|---|---|
| State | New South Wales |
| Region | Western Riverina, around Hillston |
| Named after | Sir Charles Nicholson (1808-1903), statesman |
| Principal town | Hillston |
| Local government today | Carrathool Shire, Hay Shire |
Parishes in Nicholson County
- Amoilla
- Amoilla North
- Beaconsfield
- Belaley
- Bellingerambil
- Bellingerambil East
- Bellingerambil South
- Berangerine
- Bogia
- Bolton
- Booligal
- Bootheragandra
- Bouyaree
- Bowerabine
- Bulgura
- Bunda
- Bunda East
- Bunda North
- Burgess
- Caninganima
- Carilla
- Chirnside
- Coowerrawine
- East Marowie
- Elliott
- Eurella
- Eurugabah
- Fox
- Gonowlia
- Goolgowi
- Goolgowi South
- Goolgowi West
- Griffiths
- Honuna
- Honuna North
- Hopwood
- Huntawong
- Ivanhoe
- Lachlan
- Lake Gunbar
- Langtree
- Loughnan
- Mea Mia
- Mea Mia North
- Mea Mia South
- Melbergen
- Melbergen South
- Molesworth
- Moncton
- Moon Moon
- Mulla Mulla
- Mullion
- Naradhun
- Neobine
- Parker
- Redbank
- Russell
- South Marowie
- Stackpoole
- Synnot
- Tambalana
- Townsend
- Wallanthery
- Warrabalong
- Weenya
- Weepool
- Weerie
- Whealbah South
- Yandumblin
- Yurdyilla
Towns and Localities Today
Hillston, on the Lachlan River, is the county’s main town, servicing surrounding irrigation and dryland farming. Goolgowi and Merriwagga are smaller settlements to the east, on the Kidman Way.
| Town | LGA |
|---|---|
| Hillston | Carrathool Shire |
| Goolgowi | Carrathool Shire |
| Merriwagga | Carrathool Shire |
Geography
Nicholson County covers flat to gently undulating Riverina country, with the Lachlan River forming its north-western boundary. Most parishes sit in Carrathool Shire, with several western parishes, including Amoilla and Bulgura, in Hay Shire. Ivanhoe parish, in the county’s south, is a scattered mallee and grazing district.
Economy & Local Life
Merino wool and prime lamb production, along with dryland cropping around Hillston, are the county’s main industries. Hillston sits on the Kidman Way, a tourist route linking the Riverina to outback Queensland.
History
The county honours Sir Charles Nicholson (1808-1903), a colonial statesman and one of the founders of the University of Sydney. It was proclaimed as part of the cadastral survey extended across the Riverina in the 19th century.
FAQ
Where is Nicholson County?
It lies in the western Riverina of New South Wales, around Hillston, Goolgowi and Merriwagga.
What is Nicholson County named after?
Sir Charles Nicholson, a colonial statesman and University of Sydney founder.
Is Nicholson County still used?
Cadastral counties like Nicholson remain in land titles and property descriptions but have no government function today.