The County of Hopetoun is one of South Australia’s 49 cadastral counties, on the state’s far west coast. Governor Algernon Keith-Falconer proclaimed it on 21 January 1892, naming it after John Hope, 7th Earl of Hopetoun, then Governor of Victoria. It covers pastoral and coastal land around Ceduna, on the Great Australian Bight.
Key Facts
| Label | Value |
|---|---|
| State | South Australia |
| Region | Eyre Peninsula, far west coast |
| Proclaimed | 1892 |
| Named after | John Hope, 7th Earl of Hopetoun |
| Area | about 6,200 km² |
| Principal towns | Coorabie, Fowlers Bay |
| Local government areas today | District Council of Ceduna |
Hundreds in Hopetoun County
- Hundred of Bice
- Hundred of Caldwell
- Hundred of Lucy
- Hundred of May
- Hundred of Miller
- Hundred of Russell
- Hundred of Sturdee
- Hundred of Trunch
- Hundred of Wookata
Towns and Localities Today
Hopetoun County sits entirely within the District Council of Ceduna. Its living settlements are small: Fowlers Bay, a former whaling port on the coast, and Coorabie, an inland pastoral locality. Most of the county remains unincorporated pastoral and reserve land beyond the nine surveyed hundreds, which cover roughly the county’s southeastern half.
Geography
The county borders unincorporated pastoral country and the Great Australian Bight to the south. Its hundreds run in two bands: an inland group around Bice, Lucy, Miller, Trunch and May, and a coastal group of Russell, Wookata, Sturdee and Caldwell.
History
Hopetoun County was proclaimed in 1892 as South Australia extended its cadastral survey along the far west coast. It carries the name of John Hope, 7th Earl of Hopetoun, who governed Victoria at the time and later became Australia’s first Governor-General in 1901.
FAQ
Is Hopetoun County still used?
Cadastral divisions like Hopetoun 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 Hopetoun County?
Fowlers Bay and Coorabie are its main settlements; most of the county is unincorporated pastoral land.
Which council area covers Hopetoun County?
The District Council of Ceduna administers the whole county.