Rous County is a cadastral county at the far north-east tip of New South Wales, one of the state’s 141 land-title divisions. It is bounded by Queensland to the north and the Richmond River to the south, and takes in Lismore, Byron Bay and Murwillumbah. It was named after Admiral Henry John Rous (1795-1877).
Key Facts
| State | New South Wales |
|---|---|
| Region | Far north-east tip of NSW, on the Queensland border |
| Named after | Admiral Henry John Rous (1795-1877) |
| Principal towns | Lismore, Byron Bay, Murwillumbah |
| Local government areas today | City of Lismore; Kyogle Shire; Ballina Shire; Byron Shire; Tweed Shire; Richmond Valley Council |
Parishes in Rous County
- Babyil
- Ballina
- Berwick
- Bexhill
- Billinudgel
- Bingal
- Blakebrook
- Boorabee
- Broadwater
- Brunswick
- Bungabbee
- Burrell
- Byron
- Chillingham
- Clunes
- Condong
- Coraki
- Cougal
- Cudgen
- Dunbible
- Dunoon
- Dyraaba
- East Gundurimba
- Ettrick
- Fairy Mount
- Findon
- Geneva
- Gooninbar
- Hanging Rock
- Jasper
- Jiggi
- Kunghur
- Kynnumboon
- Langwell
- Lismore
- Loadstone
- Meerschaum
- Mooball
- Mullumbimby
- Mummulgum
- Murwillumbah
- Newrybar
- Nimbin
- North Casino
- North Codrington
- North Lismore
- Nullum
- Pimlico
- Queebun
- Roseberry
- Runnymede
- Sherwood
- South Gundurimba
- South Lismore
- Stratheden
- Terania
- Terranora
- Teven
- Tomki
- Toolond
- Toonumbar
- Tuckombil
- Tuckurimba
- Tunstall
- Tyalgum
- Tygalgah
- Unumgar
- Warrazambil
- Whian Whian
- Wiangaree
- Wollumbin
- Worendo
- Wyndham
Towns and Localities Today
Lismore, on the Wilsons River, is the largest town and regional centre for the Northern Rivers. Byron Bay, on the coast, is Australia’s easternmost mainland town and a major tourist destination. Murwillumbah, on the Tweed River near the Queensland border, and Mullumbimby, Nimbin and Kyogle are other established towns in the county.
Geography
Rous County sits at the state’s north-east tip, bordered by Queensland to the north, the Pacific Ocean to the east, and the Richmond River to the south. Neighbouring New South Wales counties are Richmond, Drake and Buller. The Tweed and Wollumbin (Mount Warning) volcanic caldera dominates the north, with subtropical rainforest on its slopes and rich alluvial river flats along the Richmond, Wilsons and Tweed rivers.
History
Rous County is one of 141 cadastral divisions used for land titles in New South Wales. It carries the name of Admiral Henry John Rous, a Royal Navy officer and prominent figure in British horse racing administration. Rous County Council, the water authority serving the region, is a separate, later body covering an overlapping but distinct area.
FAQ
Is Rous County still used?
Cadastral divisions like Rous County remain in land titles and property descriptions but have no government function. Lismore, Kyogle, Ballina, Byron and Tweed councils run local services today.
What is Rous County named after?
It is named after Admiral Henry John Rous, a 19th-century Royal Navy officer and racing administrator.
What is the main town in Rous County?
Lismore, on the Wilsons River, is the largest town and the regional centre for the Northern Rivers area.
What is Wollumbin?
Wollumbin, also known as Mount Warning, is the eroded core of an ancient shield volcano and gives its name to the county’s Wollumbin parish, the traditional name used alongside the English name.