Raleigh County is a cadastral county on the New South Wales mid-north coast, one of the state’s 141 land-title divisions. It lies south of the Bellinger River and includes Nambucca Heads. The origin of its name is not recorded.
Key Facts
| State | New South Wales |
|---|---|
| Region | Mid-north coast, south of the Bellinger River |
| Principal towns | Nambucca Heads |
| Local government areas today | Nambucca Valley Council; Bellingen Shire; Bonville parish in City of Coffs Harbour |
Parishes in Raleigh County
- Allgomera
- Belmore
- Bonville
- Bowra
- Buckra Bendinni
- Congarinni
- Denison
- Dingle
- Dudley
- Gladstone
- Herborn
- Ingalba
- Ketelghay
- Medlow
- Merrylegai
- Missabotti
- Nambucca
- Never Never
- Newry
- North Bellingen
- North Creek
- Oakes
- Raleigh
- South Bellingen
- Timboon
- Unkya
- Valley Valley
- Vautin
- Warrell
- Waverley
- Yarranbella
Towns and Localities Today
Nambucca Heads, at the mouth of the Nambucca River, is the county’s main town and a coastal holiday centre. Bellingen sits just outside the county to the north, but South Bellingen and North Bellingen parishes fall within it. Raleigh, a small village on the Pacific Highway, gives the county its name.
Geography
Raleigh County runs south from the Bellinger River to the Pacific Ocean coastline near Nambucca Heads. Neighbouring counties are Fitzroy and Clarke to the north and Dudley to the south. The terrain runs from coastal sand dunes and river flats near the Nambucca estuary to forested hill country in the west toward the Dorrigo plateau.
History
Raleigh County is one of 141 cadastral divisions used for land titles in New South Wales. Unlike many NSW counties, no confirmed source records who or what it was named after, though the name likely echoes the English explorer Sir Walter Raleigh, common among mid-north-coast place names of the era. Timber-getting and dairying drove early settlement along the Nambucca River before Nambucca Heads grew into a coastal town servicing the surrounding farms.
FAQ
Is Raleigh County still used?
Cadastral divisions like Raleigh County remain in land titles and property descriptions but have no government function. Nambucca Valley and Bellingen Shire councils run local services today.
What is the main town in Raleigh County?
Nambucca Heads, at the mouth of the Nambucca River, is the county’s largest town.
Where is Raleigh County?
It sits on the New South Wales mid-north coast, south of the Bellinger River, between Coffs Harbour and Kempsey.
Which local council covers Raleigh County?
Nambucca Valley Council administers most of the county, with Bellingen Shire covering its northern parishes and Coffs Harbour city covering Bonville.