The County of Jervois is a cadastral entity in South Australia covering the east coast of the Eyre Peninsula, overlooking Spencer Gulf. Governor William Jervois proclaimed it on 24 January 1878, naming it after himself; he served as South Australia’s Governor from October 1877 to January 1883. Cowell and Arno Bay are its principal towns.
Key Facts
| Label | Value |
|---|---|
| State | South Australia |
| Region | East coast, Eyre Peninsula |
| Proclaimed | 24 January 1878 |
| Named after | Governor William Jervois |
| Area | about 9,600 km² |
| Principal towns | Cowell, Arno Bay, Port Neill, Darke Peak, Rudall |
| Local government areas today | District Councils of Cleve, Franklin Harbour, Elliston (east) and Tumby Bay (north) |
Hundreds in Jervois County
- Hundred of Boonerdo
- Hundred of Boothby
- Hundred of Brooker
- Hundred of Butler
- Hundred of Campoona
- Hundred of Charleston
- Hundred of Darke
- Hundred of Dixson
- Hundred of Glynn
- Hundred of Hambidge
- Hundred of Hawker
- Hundred of Heggaton
- Hundred of Hincks
- Hundred of James
- Hundred of Jamieson
- Hundred of Mangalo
- Hundred of Mann
- Hundred of McGregor
- Hundred of Miltalie
- Hundred of Minbrie
- Hundred of Moody
- Hundred of Murlong
- Hundred of Nicholls
- Hundred of Palkagee
- Hundred of Pascoe
- Hundred of Playford
- Hundred of Roberts
- Hundred of Rudall
- Hundred of Smeaton
- Hundred of Tooligie
- Hundred of Verran
- Hundred of Warren
- Hundred of Wilton
- Hundred of Yadnarie
Towns and Localities Today
Cowell, on Franklin Harbour, is Jervois County’s largest town and seat of the District Council of Franklin Harbour. Arno Bay and Port Neill sit further south along the Spencer Gulf coast, within the District Council of Cleve. Darke Peak and Rudall are smaller inland service centres. Broadacre cropping and grazing dominate the county’s economy, alongside jade mining and coastal aquaculture.
Geography
Jervois County is bordered by Le Hunte County to the north, York and Buxton counties to the north, Musgrave County to the west and Flinders County to the south. Its eastern edge follows the Spencer Gulf coast from Murninnie Beach to Cape Hardy.
History
Jervois County was proclaimed in 1878 as settlement spread down the Eyre Peninsula’s east coast. It is named for William Jervois, the Governor who proclaimed it, and its 34 hundreds were laid out in five rows running north to south as land opened for farming.
FAQ
Is Jervois County still used?
Cadastral divisions like Jervois 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 Jervois County?
Cowell, Arno Bay, Port Neill, Darke Peak and Rudall are its main towns.
Which council areas cover Jervois County?
The District Councils of Cleve and Franklin Harbour, plus parts of Elliston and Tumby Bay.