Beaufort County is a cadastral county in Queensland, gazetted on 8 March 1901 under the Land Act 1897. Like every Queensland county, it is a historic land-title division rather than a unit of local government.
Key Facts
| Label | Value |
|---|---|
| State | Queensland |
| Gazette reference | No. 1999, page 972 |
| Gazetted | 8 March 1901 |
| Coordinates | 23°18′S 146°30′E |
| Local government area (centre) | Barcaldine Regional Council |
Name Origin
The county probably takes its name from Mount Beaufort, named on 20 July 1846 by Surveyor-General Sir Thomas Mitchell after Rear-Admiral Sir Francis Beaufort, Hydrographer to the Royal Navy from 1829 to 1855. Mitchell recorded the naming in his 1848 journal of the expedition into tropical Australia.
Cadastral Status
Queensland divided the colony into counties in the late nineteenth century so every parcel of land could carry a fixed description for title purposes. Beaufort County still appears in property descriptions and land titles today, but it carries no council, no elected representatives and no administrative role — that function belongs to the Barcaldine Regional Council area where its gazetted centre lies.
FAQ
Where is Beaufort County?
At approximately 23°18′S 146°30′E, within the Barcaldine Regional Council area of central Queensland.
What is Beaufort County named after?
Mount Beaufort, itself named in 1846 after Rear-Admiral Sir Francis Beaufort.
Does Beaufort County have a council?
No. It is a cadastral division with no government function; local government is provided by the Barcaldine Regional Council.