The County of Cardwell is one of the 49 cadastral counties of South Australia. It was proclaimed by Governor Dominick Daly in 1864 and named for Edward Cardwell, 1st Viscount Cardwell, who was appointed Secretary of State for the Colonies in the same year.[2] It is located south east of Lake Albert abutting the coastline along the southern portion of the Coorong coastal lagoon.[2] This includes the southern half of the contemporary local government area of the Coorong District Council and smaller parts of the Tatiara District and Kingston District council areas.[2]
Viscount Cardwell was the Secretary of State for the Colonies. He abolished convict transportation to Australia and withdrew the detachment of British troops.