Wellesley County is a cadastral county in south-eastern New South Wales, one of the state’s 141 land-title divisions. It covers the Bombala district on the Victorian border, with the Snowy River forming part of its northern edge. Bombala is the county’s principal town.
Key Facts
| Label | Value |
|---|---|
| State | New South Wales |
| Region | Monaro / far south coast hinterland |
| Named after | Richard Colley Wellesley, Marquis Wellesley (1760–1842), Governor-General of India |
| Principal town | Bombala |
| Local government area today | Snowy Monaro Regional Council |
Parishes in Wellesley County
The county holds 47 parishes.
- Alexander
- Ashton
- Biddi
- Boco
- Bombala
- Bungarby
- Bungee
- Burnima
- Burrimbucco
- Byadbo
- Cambalong
- Cathcart
- Coolumbooka
- Cooper
- Corrowong
- Creewah
- Delegate
- Gecar
- Glenbog
- Grenville
- Gulgin
- Gunning Grach
- Hayen
- Ironmungy
- Jettiba
- Lawson
- Maffra
- Maharatta
- Meringo
- Merriangaah
- Merrumbulo
- Mila
- Mount Trooper
- Nelson
- Nimmitabel
- Peters
- Pickering
- Quidong
- Rodney
- Tangaroo
- Tarrabandra
- Thoko
- Tingaringi
- Tivy
- Tombong
- Wangellic
- Wellington
- Wellsmore
- Wollondibby
Towns and Localities Today
Bombala, in Bombala parish, is the only substantial town in the county and remains the district’s service centre. At the 2021 census the Bombala area had a population of 1,892, with 1,136 living in the town itself. Nimmitabel and Delegate, both parish namesakes, are smaller villages that still function as local hubs on the Monaro Highway corridor.
Geography
The county sits against the Victorian border, with the Snowy River forming part of the northern boundary and hill country rising toward the Monaro tablelands. It borders Wallace, Beresford and Auckland counties in New South Wales, and Tambo and Croajingolong counties across the Victorian border.
History
Wellesley County was proclaimed as part of the colonial land-title survey of the Monaro region and named for Richard Colley Wellesley, Marquis Wellesley, Governor-General of India from 1798 to 1805 and elder brother of the Duke of Wellington. Pastoral runs were taken up here from the 1830s, well ahead of the county’s formal survey. New South Wales’ 141 counties were surveyed through the 19th century as the colony’s basic land-administration grid, ahead of and separate from local government; they still fix parish-based land descriptions in the state’s Torrens title system today.
FAQ
Is Wellesley County still used?
Cadastral counties like Wellesley remain in land titles and property descriptions but have no government function today. Local government is handled by Snowy Monaro Regional Council.
What is the main town in Wellesley County?
Bombala, with a 2021 census population of 1,892 across the wider area.
Which counties border Wellesley?
Wallace, Beresford and Auckland in New South Wales, and Tambo and Croajingolong across the Victorian border.