Pottinger County is a cadastral county in northern New South Wales, centred on Gunnedah south-west of the Namoi and Mooki rivers. It is one of the state’s 141 land-title divisions. It was named after Sir Henry Pottinger, first Baronet (1789-1856), the first Governor of Hong Kong.
Key Facts
| State | New South Wales |
|---|---|
| Region | Around Gunnedah, south-west of the Namoi and Mooki rivers |
| Named after | Sir Henry Pottinger, first Baronet (1789-1856), first Governor of Hong Kong |
| Principal towns | Gunnedah, Boggabri, Curlewis |
| Local government areas today | Gunnedah Shire, Narrabri Shire, Warrumbungle Shire, Liverpool Plains Shire |
Parishes in Pottinger County
- Baan Baa
- Bando
- Benelabri
- Bingle
- Black Jack
- Boggabri
- Bomera
- Breeza
- Brennan
- Brigalow
- Brothers
- Brown
- Bulga
- Bundella
- Calala
- Clarke
- Clift
- Coogal
- Coolanbilla
- Coomoo Coomoo
- Curlewis
- Denison
- Denison West
- Digby
- Doona
- Dubbleda
- Garrawilla
- Ghoolendaadi
- Gill
- Goally
- Goragilla
- Goran
- Gulligal
- Gunnedah
- Howes Hill
- Johnston
- Kickerbell
- Lawson
- Melville
- Mema
- Merrigula
- Millie
- Moredevil
- Mucca Mucca
- Nea
- Nombi
- Premer
- Pringle
- Rodd
- Saltwater
- Springfield
- Tamarang
- Tambar
- Tinkrameanah
- Trinkey
- Tulla Mullen
- Urangera
- Walla Walla
- Walla Walla West
- Weston
- Willala
- Wilson
- Wondoba
- Yarraman
Towns and Localities Today
Gunnedah, on the Namoi River, is the county’s main town and the seat of Gunnedah Shire. Boggabri, on the Namoi north of Gunnedah, and Curlewis, south of Gunnedah, are the other established towns. Premer and Breeza are smaller rural localities in the county’s south-east, in the Liverpool Plains farming belt.
Geography
Pottinger County lies near Gunnedah, south-west of where the Namoi and Mooki rivers meet. Neighbouring counties are White, Nandewar, Gowen, Buckland, Napier, Bligh and Brisbane. Much of the county sits on the fertile black-soil plains of the Liverpool Plains, one of the state’s most productive dryland cropping districts, with the Nandewar Range rising along its northern edge.
History
Pottinger County is one of 141 cadastral divisions of New South Wales used for land titles. It carries the name of Sir Henry Pottinger, a British Army officer and diplomat who negotiated the Treaty of Nanking and served as the first Governor of Hong Kong from 1843. Gunnedah developed from the 1830s as a Namoi River crossing point and grew into the district’s main wool, wheat and coal-mining centre.
FAQ
Is Pottinger County still used?
Cadastral divisions like Pottinger County remain in land titles and property descriptions but have no government function. Gunnedah, Narrabri, Warrumbungle and Liverpool Plains shires run local services today.
What is Pottinger County named after?
It is named after Sir Henry Pottinger, first Baronet, who became the first Governor of Hong Kong in 1843.
What is the main town in Pottinger County?
Gunnedah, on the Namoi River, is the county’s largest town and the seat of Gunnedah Shire.
Which local government areas cover Pottinger County?
Parishes fall across Gunnedah, Narrabri, Warrumbungle and Liverpool Plains shires.