The County of Hampden is a cadastral county in Victoria’s Western District, proclaimed on 10 January 1849. It covers about 4,043 km² between Lake Corangamite in the east and the Hopkins River in the west, taking in Terang and Skipton.
Key Facts
| Label | Value |
|---|---|
| State | Victoria |
| Region | Western District, between Lake Corangamite and the Hopkins River |
| Proclaimed | 10 January 1849 |
| Area | 4,043 km² (1,561 sq mi) |
| Principal towns | Terang, Skipton, Mortlake, Lismore |
| Local government area today | Corangamite Shire, Moyne Shire |
Parishes in Hampden County
- Borriyalloak
- Caramballuc South
- Chatsworth
- Cobra Killuc
- Colongulac
- Connewarren
- Corangamite
- Darlington
- Darlington West
- Dunnawalla
- Eilyar
- Ellerslie
- Ettrick
- Framlingham East
- Galla
- Garvoc
- Geelengla
- Glenormiston
- Gnarkeet
- Hexham East
- Jellalabad
- Kariah
- Keilambete
- Kilnoorat
- Kolara
- Koort-koort-nong
- Kornong
- Ligar
- Lismore
- Marida Yallock
- Mortlake
- Nerrin Nerrin
- Panmure
- Pircarra
- Purrumbete North
- Skipton
- Struan
- Taaraak
- Terang
- Terrinallum
- Tooliorook
- Toorak
- Towanway
- Vite Vite
- Wooriwyrite
- Woorndoo
Towns and Localities Today
Terang, at the county’s south end, is the largest town, serving the surrounding dairy district. Skipton lies in the northwest, near the Hopkins River headwaters. Mortlake and Lismore are the other main service towns, both on the road between Warrnambool and Ballarat.
Geography
Hampden runs between Lake Corangamite to the east and the Hopkins River to the west. The old Glenelg Highway and Princes Highway roughly follow its northern and southern edges. It borders Ripon and Grenville to the north and east, and Heytesbury and Polwarth to the south.
History
Hampden was proclaimed a county on 10 January 1849, part of Victoria’s original cadastral survey of the Western District. Chatsworth parish straddles the boundary with the neighbouring County of Villiers.
FAQ
Is Hampden County still used?
Hampden survives in land titles and property descriptions but has no government function today. Corangamite Shire and Moyne Shire administer local government in the area.
Where is Hampden County?
It sits in Victoria’s Western District, between Lake Corangamite and the Hopkins River, taking in Terang and Skipton.
What towns are in Hampden County?
Terang, Skipton, Mortlake and Lismore are the county’s main towns.