McKinlay County is a cadastral county in south-west Queensland, gazetted for land-title records rather than local government. Its centre, at 25°55′S 144°36′E, lies within the area Quilpie Shire Council administers today.
Key Facts
| Label | Value |
|---|---|
| State | Queensland |
| Type | Cadastral county (land division) |
| Coordinates | 25°55′S 144°36′E |
| Local government area (centre) | Quilpie Shire Council |
| Proclaimed | 8 March 1901, Land Act 1897 |
Name Origin
The county is probably named, by an unrecorded Surveyor-General, after John McKinlay (1819–1872), the explorer.
Geography
Queensland does not publish boundary descriptions for its cadastral counties, so McKinlay County’s extent relative to its neighbours is not detailed here. Its gazetted point sits within Quilpie Shire, in the state’s south-west.
History
McKinlay County was named and bounded by the Governor in Council on 8 March 1901, under the Land Act 1897, decades after the explorer it is presumed to honour made his mark on the colony’s interior.
FAQ
Is McKinlay County still used?
Yes. Cadastral counties such as McKinlay remain part of Queensland’s land-title system, though they carry no government function.
Is McKinlay County a local government area?
No. It is a historic land-title division. Quilpie Shire Council provides local government services around the county’s gazetted centre.
Who was McKinlay County named after?
It is presumed to honour John McKinlay, an explorer of Queensland’s interior.