St Vincent County is one of the original Nineteen Counties of New South Wales and now one of the state’s 141 cadastral divisions. It covers the south coast around Batemans Bay, Ulladulla and Jervis Bay, and inland to Braidwood. It was named after John Jervis, First Earl of St Vincent (1735-1823), Admiral of the Fleet.
Key Facts
| State | New South Wales |
|---|---|
| Region | South coast, Batemans Bay to Jervis Bay and inland to Braidwood |
| Named after | John Jervis, First Earl of St Vincent (1735-1823), Admiral of the Fleet |
| Principal towns | Batemans Bay, Ulladulla, Nowra, Braidwood |
| Local government areas today | City of Shoalhaven; Eurobodalla Shire; Queanbeyan-Palerang Regional Council |
Parishes in St Vincent County
- Albert
- Araluen
- Bateman
- Beecroft
- Benandarah
- Bendoura
- Bettowynd
- Bherwerre
- Bolaro
- Boolijah
- Borimbadal
- Boyle
- Boyne
- Braidwood
- Broulee
- Bruce
- Buangla
- Buckenbowra
- Budawang
- Bulee
- Burrill
- Clyde
- Coghill
- Conjola
- Coolumburra
- Corang
- Croobyar
- Cudmirrah
- Currambene
- Currock
- Currowan
- Danjera
- Durran Durra
- East Nelligen
- Elrington
- Endrick
- Ettrema
- Farnham
- Goba
- Jerrawangala
- Jerricknorra
- Kioloa
- Little Forest
- Marlowe
- Meangora
- Milo
- Mogendoura
- Mogood
- Monga
- Mongarlowe
- Mullendaree
- Murrengenburg
- Nowra
- Numbaa
- Percy
- Quiera
- Sassafras
- Seymour
- St. George
- Tallaganda
- Tallowal
- Termeil
- Tianjara
- Tomaga
- Tomboye
- Tomerong
- Touga
- Ulladulla
- Wandrawandian
- West Nelligen
- Wog Wog
- Wollumboola
- Woodburn
- Yadboro
- Yalwal
- Yerriyong
Towns and Localities Today
Nowra, on the Shoalhaven River, is the largest town, seat of the City of Shoalhaven. Batemans Bay and Ulladulla are the main coastal towns of Eurobodalla and Shoalhaven respectively, both popular holiday destinations. Braidwood, an inland historic town on the Southern Tablelands, sits in the county’s Braidwood parish and falls under Queanbeyan-Palerang Regional Council.
Geography
St Vincent County lies along the south coast, bounded by the Shoalhaven River to the north and west and the Deua River to the south. Neighbouring counties are Argyle, Camden, Murray and Dampier. Land from four of its parishes was excised in 1915 to form Jervis Bay Territory under the Seat of Government Acceptance Act 1909.
History
St Vincent County was proclaimed as one of the Nineteen Counties marking the early limits of settlement in New South Wales. It was named after Admiral John Jervis, First Earl of St Vincent, celebrated for his 1797 naval victory over Spain. In 1852 the county recorded a population of 2,572 across 1,704,844 acres (6,899.26 square kilometres).
FAQ
Is St Vincent County still used?
Cadastral divisions like St Vincent County remain in land titles and property descriptions but have no government function. Shoalhaven, Eurobodalla and Queanbeyan-Palerang councils run local services today.
What is St Vincent County named after?
It is named after John Jervis, First Earl of St Vincent, a Royal Navy admiral famed for the 1797 Battle of Cape St Vincent.
What is the main town in St Vincent County?
Nowra, on the Shoalhaven River, is the largest town and the seat of the City of Shoalhaven.