The County of Frome is a cadastral county in South Australia straddling the Mid North and Flinders Ranges regions, proclaimed in 1851 by Governor Henry Young. It is named for Edward Charles Frome, a former Surveyor-General of South Australia, and is centred on Mount Remarkable.
Key Facts
| Label | Value |
|---|---|
| State | South Australia |
| Region | Mid North / Flinders Ranges |
| Proclaimed | 1851 |
| Named after | Edward Charles Frome, Surveyor-General of South Australia |
| Area | 3,910 km² |
| Principal towns | Port Augusta, Wilmington, Melrose, Booleroo Centre, Wirrabara |
| Local government areas today | City of Port Augusta, District Council of Mount Remarkable, Flinders Ranges Council |
Parishes in Frome County
The county’s surveyed hundreds, listed alphabetically:
- Hundred of Appila
- Hundred of Baroota
- Hundred of Booleroo
- Hundred of Coonatto
- Hundred of Darling
- Hundred of Davenport
- Hundred of Gregory
- Hundred of Pinda
- Hundred of Telowie
- Hundred of Willochra
- Hundred of Willowie
- Hundred of Winninowie
- Hundred of Wongyarra
- Hundred of Woolundunga
Towns and Localities Today
Port Augusta, at the head of Spencer Gulf, is the county’s largest town and a major transport junction where road and rail routes to Western Australia, the Northern Territory and the eastern states converge. Melrose, at the foot of Mount Remarkable, Wilmington, Booleroo Centre and Wirrabara serve the farming and forestry hundreds further south.
Geography
Frome straddles the transition from the Mid North’s cropping country to the southern Flinders Ranges, with Mount Remarkable rising within the Hundred of Gregory near the county’s centre. Mount Remarkable National Park spans several hundreds, and Spencer Gulf forms part of the county’s western edge near Port Augusta. At 3,910 km², Frome links the state’s Mid North grain belt to the pastoral country further north.
History
Governor Henry Young proclaimed the county in 1851, naming it for Edward Charles Frome, who served as Surveyor-General of South Australia through the 1840s and mapped much of the colony’s early pastoral country. Melrose, established in 1853 at the base of Mount Remarkable, was one of the earliest towns in the Flinders Ranges foothills. Port Augusta grew later as a rail and shipping junction, and today its power and transport infrastructure make it the county’s economic centre.
FAQ
Where is the County of Frome?
It straddles South Australia’s Mid North and southern Flinders Ranges, centred on Mount Remarkable.
What is the main town in the County of Frome?
Port Augusta is the largest town; Melrose, Wilmington, Booleroo Centre and Wirrabara are the other main centres.
Is the County of Frome still used?
Cadastral counties like Frome remain part of land titles and property descriptions in South Australia, but they have no government function today.