Selwyn County is a cadastral county in the Snowy Mountains of New South Wales, one of the state’s 141 land-title divisions. It lies east of the Murray River, with part of the Tumut River forming its north-east boundary, and includes Mount Kosciuszko. It was named after geologist Alfred Richard Cecil Selwyn (1824-1902).
Key Facts
| State | New South Wales |
|---|---|
| Region | Snowy Mountains, east of the Murray River |
| Named after | Alfred Richard Cecil Selwyn (1824-1902), geologist |
| Principal towns | Tumbarumba, Khancoban |
| Local government areas today | Snowy Valleys Council |
Parishes in Selwyn County
- Beaumont
- Boganyera
- Bringenbrong
- Buccleuch
- Buddong
- Burra
- Clear Hill
- Cowra
- Craven
- Dargals
- Geehi
- Glenken
- Glenroy
- Greg Greg
- Gungartan
- Hay
- Hume
- Indi
- Jagumba
- Jagungal
- Jingellic East
- Khancoban
- King
- Kosciusko
- Lea
- Manjar
- Mannus
- Maragle
- Mate
- Munderoo
- Munyang
- Murray
- Nurenmerenmong
- Ournie
- Round Hill
- Scott
- Selwyn
- Table Top
- Tooma
- Tougaroo
- Tumbarumba
- Twynam
- Victoria
- Wallace
- Welaregang
- Welumba
- Yellowin
- Youngal
Towns and Localities Today
Tumbarumba, on the western fall of the Snowy Mountains, is the county’s largest town, known for its cool-climate vineyards. Khancoban, on the Swampy Plain River, sits at the western end of the Snowy Mountains Hydro-Electric Scheme’s Alpine Way. Welaregang and Bringenbrong are smaller localities near the upper Murray River.
Geography
Selwyn County lies east of the Murray River in the Snowy Mountains, with the Tumut River marking part of its north-east boundary. Mount Kosciuszko, Australia’s highest peak, sits within its Kosciusko parish. Much of the county lies inside Kosciuszko National Park, taking in alpine and sub-alpine terrain, snow gum woodland and the headwaters of the Murray and Snowy rivers.
History
Selwyn County is one of 141 cadastral divisions used for land titles across New South Wales. It carries the name of Alfred Selwyn, a colonial geologist who directed the Geological Survey of Victoria before becoming Director of the Geological Survey of Canada. Since 2016 local government mergers, the whole county falls under Snowy Valleys Council. The Snowy Mountains Hydro-Electric Scheme, built between 1949 and 1974, dammed rivers within the county and created the Khancoban township to house construction workers.
FAQ
Is Selwyn County still used?
Cadastral divisions like Selwyn County remain in land titles and property descriptions but have no government function. Snowy Valleys Council runs local services across the county today.
What is Selwyn County named after?
It is named after Alfred Richard Cecil Selwyn, a 19th-century geologist who led the geological surveys of Victoria and Canada.
What is the highest point in Selwyn County?
Mount Kosciuszko, Australia’s highest mountain at 2,228 metres, lies within the county’s Kosciusko parish.
What is the main town in Selwyn County?
Tumbarumba, on the western fall of the Snowy Mountains, is the county’s largest town.