Rankin County is a cadastral county in central-western New South Wales, one of the state’s 141 land-title divisions. The Darling River forms its northern boundary, and part of Paroo-Darling National Park lies within it. It was named after Mount Rankin, a hill in the Bathurst area.
Key Facts
| State | New South Wales |
|---|---|
| Region | Central-western NSW, along the Darling River |
| Named after | Mount Rankin, near Bathurst, New South Wales |
| Local government areas today | Cobar Shire; Central Darling Shire; Bourke Shire |
Parishes in Rankin County
- Albert
- Basin Bank
- Bilbo
- Booborowie
- Buckinbe
- Budda
- Bulla Bulla
- Clarke
- Coombes
- Darling
- Deniehy
- Donald Plain
- Donalroe
- Etty
- Gidgiegalumba
- Greenough
- Keilor
- Kendall
- Kirkingle
- Lawrence
- Mary
- Millpillbury
- Mulga
- Munbunya
- Salisbury
- Stanley
- Tankarook
- Thourumble
- Turner
- Wallandra
- Weelong
- Weelongbar
- Wigilla
- Woore
Towns and Localities Today
Rankin County has no significant towns of its own; it is remote grazing and national-park country along the Darling River. Wilcannia lies to the west in neighbouring county land, and Bourke lies to the north, both serving as the nearest supply centres for stations within the county.
Geography
The Darling River forms Rankin County’s northern boundary, and it contains part of Paroo-Darling National Park. Neighbouring counties are Killara, Landsborough, Yanda, Robinson and Woore. The land is flat semi-arid plain, mixed mulga and saltbush country used mostly for sheep and cattle grazing.
History
Rankin County is one of 141 cadastral divisions of New South Wales, the survey grid used for land titles as pastoral settlement spread across the state’s inland. It takes its name from Mount Rankin, a hill near Bathurst, rather than from a person connected to the county itself. Paroo-Darling National Park, created in 2000 partly from former grazing leases, protects wetlands and floodplain habitat within the county’s northern parishes.
FAQ
Is Rankin County still used?
Cadastral divisions like Rankin County remain in land titles and property descriptions but have no government function. Cobar, Central Darling and Bourke shires run local services today.
What is Rankin County named after?
It is named after Mount Rankin, a hill located near Bathurst, New South Wales, far from the county itself.
Where is Rankin County?
It sits in central-western New South Wales along the Darling River, taking in part of Paroo-Darling National Park.
Which local government area covers Rankin County?
Cobar Shire covers most of the county, with Central Darling and Bourke shires covering smaller parishes.