Cardwell County is one of South Australia’s 49 cadastral counties, south-east of Lake Albert along the Coorong. Governor Dominick Daly proclaimed it in 1864, naming it after Edward Cardwell, 1st Viscount Cardwell, who became Secretary of State for the Colonies that year.
Key Facts
| State | South Australia |
|---|---|
| Region | Coorong and Upper South East |
| Proclaimed | 1864 |
| Named after | Edward Cardwell, 1st Viscount Cardwell |
| Principal towns | Tintinara, Salt Creek |
| Local government areas today | Coorong District Council; Tatiara District Council; Kingston District Council |
Hundreds in Cardwell County
The county has 12 hundreds.
- Hundred of Colebatch
- Hundred of Coombe
- Hundred of Field
- Hundred of Glyde
- Hundred of Laffer
- Hundred of McNamara
- Hundred of Messent
- Hundred of Neville
- Hundred of Petherick
- Hundred of Richards
- Hundred of Santo
- Hundred of Wells
Towns and Localities Today
Tintinara, on the Dukes Highway in the Hundred of Coombe, and Salt Creek, on the Coorong’s edge in the Hundred of Colebatch, are the county’s main settlements. Farming and grazing dominate the inland hundreds of Glyde, Field, Richards, and Messent, while the Coorong lagoon shapes life and tourism along the coast.
Geography
Cardwell County sits south-east of Lake Albert, its coastline running along the southern Coorong lagoon. It takes in the southern half of Coorong District Council’s area, plus smaller parts of the Tatiara and Kingston districts.
History
The county’s 12 hundreds were surveyed after 1864 as pastoral leases along the Coorong gave way to closer settlement.
FAQ
What does Cardwell County cover?
It covers the southern Coorong lagoon and upper south-east country south-east of Lake Albert, across 12 hundreds.
Is Cardwell County still used?
Cadastral counties like Cardwell remain in land titles and property descriptions but have no government function today.
What local government areas cover Cardwell County today?
Coorong District Council, Tatiara District Council, and Kingston District Council.