The County of Taunton is one of South Australia’s 49 cadastral counties, proclaimed on 18 January 1877 and named after Lord Taunton, Secretary for the Colonies from 1855 to 1858. It lies on the eastern shore of Lake Torrens, about 160 kilometres north of Port Augusta, and is the most northerly county in South Australia.
Key Facts
| Label | Value |
|---|---|
| State | South Australia |
| Region | Far North |
| Proclaimed | 18 January 1877 |
| Named after | Lord Taunton, Secretary for the Colonies |
| Area | 5,560 km² |
| Principal towns | Blinman, Parachilna |
| Local government areas today | Pastoral Unincorporated Area, serviced by the Outback Communities Authority |
Hundreds in Taunton County
Six hundreds were proclaimed within the county, covering only 29% of its total area; the rest remains unincorporated.
- Hundred of Bunyeroo
- Hundred of Carr
- Hundred of Edeowie
- Hundred of Nilpena
- Hundred of Oratunga
- Hundred of Parachilna
Towns and Localities Today
Blinman and Parachilna are the county’s only towns, both former mining and pastoral service centres in the northern Flinders Ranges. Neither has significant population today; both serve tourism and pastoral traffic through the ranges.
Geography
The county extends from Lake Torrens’ east coast roughly 100 kilometres inland and about 60 kilometres north from its southern boundary. The Flinders Ranges rise in its east; floodplains draining toward Lake Torrens dominate its west. It borders the counties of Blachford, Hanson and Derby.
History
Taunton was proclaimed in 1877, later than most South Australian counties, as pastoral leases pushed into the Far North. Its hundreds were gazetted in stages: Carr in 1877, Bunyeroo, Edeowie, Nilpena and Parachilna in 1881, and Oratunga in 1895. Most of the county was never subdivided into hundreds and stayed pastoral land.
FAQ
Where is Taunton County?
It sits on the east shore of Lake Torrens, about 160 km north of Port Augusta, the most northerly county in South Australia.
What towns are in Taunton County?
Blinman and Parachilna are the county’s only towns.
Is Taunton County still used?
Cadastral counties like Taunton remain in land titles and property descriptions but have no government function today.