The County of Hindmarsh is one of South Australia’s 49 cadastral counties. Governor George Grey proclaimed it in 1842, naming it after Governor John Hindmarsh, the colony’s first Governor. It covers the Fleurieu Peninsula and part of the Adelaide Hills, with Mount Barker, Victor Harbor, Goolwa and Strathalbyn as its principal towns.
Key Facts
| Label | Value |
|---|---|
| State | South Australia |
| Region | Fleurieu Peninsula and Adelaide Hills |
| Proclaimed | 1842 |
| Named after | Governor John Hindmarsh |
| Area | 2,650 km² |
| Principal towns | Mount Barker, Victor Harbor, Goolwa, Strathalbyn |
| Local government areas today | Alexandrina Council, City of Victor Harbor, District Council of Mount Barker, District Council of Yankalilla |
Hundreds in Hindmarsh County
- Hundred of Alexandrina
- Hundred of Bremer
- Hundred of Encounter Bay
- Hundred of Goolwa
- Hundred of Kondoparinga
- Hundred of Macclesfield
- Hundred of Myponga
- Hundred of Nangkita
- Hundred of Strathalbyn
- Hundred of Waitpinga
- Hundred of Yankalilla
Towns and Localities Today
Hindmarsh County’s towns sit across four council areas. Mount Barker anchors the north as the region’s largest town, in the District Council of Mount Barker. Victor Harbor and Goolwa serve the coast within the City of Victor Harbor and Alexandrina Council, while Strathalbyn and Langhorne Creek lie inland in Alexandrina Council. Yankalilla, on the peninsula’s west coast, sits in the District Council of Yankalilla.
Geography
The county stretches from the Fleurieu Peninsula’s southwest coast to the Murray Mouth in the southeast, taking in Hindmarsh Island, Mundoo Island and part of Lake Alexandrina. Point Sturt on the Sturt Peninsula marks its east, Mount Barker its north, and Sellicks Hill on Gulf St Vincent its northwest.
History
Hindmarsh County was one of the first counties proclaimed in South Australia, its 11 hundreds surveyed between 1846 and 1851 as settlers took up land across the Fleurieu Peninsula. It honours John Hindmarsh, appointed the colony’s first Governor in 1836.
FAQ
Is Hindmarsh County still used?
Cadastral divisions like Hindmarsh County remain in South Australian land titles and property descriptions, but the county itself has no government or administrative function today.
What towns are in Hindmarsh County?
Mount Barker, Victor Harbor, Goolwa, Strathalbyn, Langhorne Creek and Yankalilla are its main towns.
Which council areas cover Hindmarsh County?
Alexandrina Council, City of Victor Harbor, District Council of Mount Barker and District Council of Yankalilla.