Gulf of Carpentaria | gulf, Australia | Britannica.com Gulf of Carpentaria Norman River Gulf of Carpentaria, shallow rectangular inlet of the Arafura Sea (part of the Pacific Ocean ), indenting the northern coast of Australia . Neglected for centuries, the gulf became internationally significant in the late 20th and early 21st centuries with the exploitation of its bauxite , manganese , and prawn (shrimp) resources. The gulf has an area of 120,000 square miles (310,000 square km) and a maximum depth of 230 feet (70 metres). It is a rare modern example of an epicontinental sea (a shallow sea on top of a continent), a feature much commoner at earlier times in the Earth’s geologic history. Gulf of Carpentaria. Explore the area around Burketown, Queensland, Australia, including the salt pans at the southern … © Fun Travel TV (A Britannica Publishing Partner) The Gulf of Carpentaria is enclosed on the west by Arnhem Land and on the east by the Cape York Peninsula .

The gulf floor is the continental shelf common to Australia and New Guinea . A ridge extends across Torres Strait , separating the floor of the gulf from the Coral Sea to the east. Another ridge extends northward from the Wessel Islands to separate the floor of the gulf from that of the Banda Basin of the Arafura Sea to the northwest. The gulf-floor gradient is very low; the great western plains of Queensland slope north or northwestward into the gulf in a very gentle fall of only one foot per mile. As the plains approach the sea, they merge into a belt of salt flats, which are widest just west of the Flinders River . More than 20 rivers drain into the Gulf of Carpentaria; they wind profusely in their lower courses and have extensive deltas. The eastern side of the gulf was first explored by the Dutch between 1605 and 1628, and the southern and western coasts were discovered by the explorer Abel Tasman in 1644. The gulf was named for Pieter Carpenter, who visited the area in 1628.

Similar Topics Gulf of Carpentaria Gulf of Carpentaria The Gulf of Carpentaria is the large bay shared by the Northern Territory and Queensland, Australia (north central Australia). The Gulf is separated from the Coral Sea on the northeast by the 12-m-deep Torres Strait and from the Arafura Sea on the northwest by the Arafura Sill, which lies about 53 m below the sea surface. The Gulf is a macrotidal, drowned river valley, and a mature estuary that is relatively shallow and flat-floored. The maximum water depth is about 70 m. It is about 480 kilometers (300 miles) wide and 640 kilometers (400 miles) long. The waters are shallow in most areas. Mudflats and mangrove swamps lie along its shores. It has a tidal range variation of 600-1600 m. Numerous creeks and rivers drain into the Gulf. (Photo by Ludo Kuipers © OzOutback Internet Services, One of the remotest areas of Australia, the coastline surrounding the Gulf is virtually all Aboriginal land.

Blackrocks Landing at Batten Point, near Borroloola at the mouth of the Macarthur River, is a popular spot for fishermen who may camp there and launch their boats, but the wide beaches at Wiyayi and Malagayangu near Numbulwar are on Aboriginal land in south eastern Arnhem Land and favoured spots for the Nunggubuyu people who come to fish and look for turtle eggs here. An interesting cloud phenomenon occurs over the Gulf of Carpentaria that has intrigued scientists, particularly meterologists. This phenomenon is called the Morning Glory of the Gulf of Carpentaria . Unique on Earth and not very well understood, the Morning Glory wave cloud arrives regularly each spring. Dynamic waves of this type occur unheralded everywhere and at all altitudes, and are the cause of much of the clear air turbulence which so disrupts commercial air travel. Those waves, however, are usually invisible, infrequent and currently all but unpredictable. Morning Glory waves sometimes exceed 1000 km in length and 10,000 feet in height. These enormous waves are believed to contain the energy equivalent of several nuclear devices.

The Gulf of Carpentaria harbors two species of crocodiles, the man eating Crocodylus porosus (saltwater crocodile) and the relatively harmless freshwater variety. Useful Gulf of Carpentaria Web Sites: Gulf of Carpentaria Gulf of Carpentaria The location of the Gulf of Carpentaria. The Gulf of Carpentaria from an 1859 Dutch map The Gulf of Carpentaria between Bentinck Island and the Australian continent Loading ore from McArthur River zinc mine at Bing Bong Loading Facility, 2011 Gulf of Carpentaria from MODIS Karumba, Beach, Karumba, Queensland Melbidir II anchored off Karumba near the mouth of the Norman River The Gulf of Carpentaria ( ) is a large, shallow sea enclosed on three sides by northern Australia and bounded on the north by the Arafura Sea (the body of water that lies between Australia and New Guinea ). The northern boundary is generally defined as a line from Slade Point, Queensland (the northwestern corner of Cape York Peninsula ) in the northeast, to Cape Arnhem, Northern Territory (the easternmost point of Arnhem Land ) in the west.

At its mouth, the Gulf is 590 km wide, and further south, 675 km. The north-south length exceeds 700 km. It covers a water area of about 300,000 km². The general depth is between 55 and 66 metres (30 and 36 fm ) and does not exceed 82 metres (45 fm). [1] The tidal range in the Gulf of Carpentaria is between two and three metres. [2] The Gulf and adjacent Sahul Shelf were dry land at the peak of the last ice age 18,000 years ago when global sea level was around 120 m below its present position. At that time a large, shallow lake occupied the centre of what is now the Gulf. [3] The Gulf hosts a submerged coral reef province that was only recognised in 2004. [4] Contents 8 External links European exploration The first known European explorer to visit the region was the Dutch Willem Janszoon (whose name is also written as Jansz) in his 1605–6 voyage .

His fellow countryman, Jan Carstenszoon (or Carstensz), visited in 1623 and named the gulf in honour of Pieter de Carpentier , at that time the Governor-General of the Dutch East Indies . Abel Tasman also explored the coast in 1644. The region was later explored and charted by Matthew Flinders in 1802 and 1803. The first overland expedition to reach the Gulf was the Burke and Wills expedition , led by Robert O’Hara Burke and William John Wills which left Melbourne , Victoria in August 1860 and reached the Bynoe River, Queensland in February 1861. Geography The land bordering the Gulf is generally flat and low-lying. To the west is Arnhem Land , the Top End of the Northern Territory, and Groote Eylandt , the largest island in the Gulf. To the east is the Cape York Peninsula and Torres Strait which joins the Gulf to the Coral Sea . The area to the south (like the Cape York Peninsula, part of Queensland) is known as the Gulf Country . The climate is hot and humid with two seasons per year.

The dry season lasts from about April until November and is characterized by very dry southeast to east winds, generated by migratory winter high pressure systems to the south. The wet season lasts from December to March. Most of the year’s rainfall is compressed into these months, and during this period, many low-lying areas are flooded. The Gulf is prone to tropical cyclones during the period between November and April. The gulf experiences an average of three cyclones each year [2] that are thought to transport sediments in a clockwise direction along the Gulf’s coast. [5] In many other parts of Australia, there are dramatic climatic transitions over fairly short distances. The Great Dividing Range , which parallels the entire east and south-east coast, is responsible for the typical pattern of a well-watered coastal strip, a fairly narrow band of mountains, and then a vast, inward-draining plain that receives little rainfall. In the Gulf Country, however, there are no mountains to restrict rainfall to the coastal band and the transition from the profuse tropical growth of the seaside areas to the arid scrubs of central Australia is gradual. In September and October the Morning Glory cloud appears in the Southern Gulf.

The best vantage point to see this phenomenon is in the Burketown area shortly after dawn. It has been hypothesized that the Gulf experienced a major asteroid impact event in 536 A.D. [6] Coral reefs The Gulf of Carpentaria is known to contain fringing reefs and isolated coral colonies, but no near-surface patch or barrier reefs exist in the Gulf at the present time. [7] However, this has not always been the case. Expeditions carried out by Geoscience Australia in 2003 and in 2005 aboard the RV Southern Surveyor revealed the presence of a submerged coral reef province covering at least 300 km2 in the southern Gulf. [8] The patch reefs have their upper surfaces at a mean water depth of 28.6 ± 0.5 m, were undetected by satellites or aerial photographs, and were only recognised using multibeam swath sonar surveys supplemented with seabed sampling and video. Their existence points to an earlier, late Quaternary phase of framework reef growth under cooler-climate and lower sea level conditions than today.

[4] Major rivers In the Top End the Roper River , Walker River and Wilton River flow into the Gulf. The Cox River, Calvert River , Leichhardt River , McArthur River , Flinders River , Norman River and the Gilbert River drain the Gulf Country. A number of rivers flow from the Cape York Peninsula into the Gulf, including Smithburne River, Mitchell River , Alice River, Staaten River , Mission River, Wenlock River and Archer River . Industry Extensive areas of seagrass beds have allowed commercial shrimp operations in the Gulf. [9] Zinc, lead and silver is mined from the McArthur River zinc mine and exported via the Gulf. Another zinc mine, Century Zinc is in the gulf on the Queensland side of the border. It exports its product through the port facility at Karumba . The cattle industry is also a very import part of the regional economy in the gulf. According to the then Chairman of the Gulf of Carpentaria’s Commercial Fisherman’s Organisation, Gary Ward, the number of sightings of Indonesian vessels fishing illegally in the gulf’s waters increased in early 2005.

[10] By 2011 the numbers of illegal fishing boat interceptions had declined significantly with the cause attributed to enforcement efforts and education programs in Indonesia. [11] Major port plan In 2012, a major new port located to the west of Karumba and rail connection to the North West Minerals Province was proposed by Carpentaria Rail. The advantages of a port at Karumba compared to Townsville was that it was three or four days closer to Asia via shipping routes. [12] Physiography The Gulf is one of the distinct physiographic sections of the larger (and surrounding) Carpentaria Basin province, which in turn is part of the larger East Australian Basins physiographic division. References Gulf of Carpentaria - CAFNEC Gulf of Carpentaria Gulf of Carpentaria Natural Heritage Issues and Priorities The Gulf of Carpentaria is a vast, relatively unsettled region of northern Queensland, and home to some of Australia’s most important undisturbed river systems, wetlands and marine environments. The region forms a key link in the chain of relatively intact landscapes across northern Australia, from the Kimberly to Cape York.

CAFNEC’s area of concern is the northern Gulf, a region of approximately 194 000 sq km which includes mountains, plateaux and high plains, to hill country and plains running down to the coast. The Gulf region has a tropical monsoonal climate, with hot, wet summers, and cooler dry winters. The region includes the catchments of the Mitchell, Gilbert, Staaten and Norman Rivers. The area is also of great cultural significance with a rich Aboriginal cultural heritage. Photo by Steven Nowakowski Key Environmental Issues Compared to most other regions in Australia, the Gulf is relatively intact as an ecological landscape. However the region has undergone significant change over the past 200 years and is regularly targeted by industry and governments as a possible area for expansion and extraction of resources. It is essential that regions like the Gulf are not subject to the destructive industries that have decimated much of southern Australia’s environment. New industries and economies are required which respect and value the regions important natural and cultural values. Grazing A major threat to biodiversity, water quality and land condition in the Gulf region is grazing pressure.

Given that much of the Gulf is already used for grazing, some intensively, there are some real benefits in identifying ‘areas of least disturbance’. These invaluable areas are rare in the tropical savannas and could become a core/focus for some future conservation planning e.g. such as parts of the Staaten River catchment. Rivers The Gilbert River poses some difficult issues. Irrigated agriculture has been occurring there for the past 50 years. Some critical issues that need to be addressed include resilience of soils to continual cropping; retention of only minimal riparian strips; and salinity on some of the sandy earths that are currently proposed for expansion of irrigation Photo by Steven Nowakowski Irrigation and water infrastructure are one component of wild river management but perhaps of greater importance right now is the impact of grazing in riparian and near-riparian areas. Grazing can change the fundamental structure of riparian vegetation, and hence critical habitat, by removing the native pastures and lower shrub layer and replacing it with introduced, highly-destructive plants such as rubber vine, Hyptis and numerous introduced-pasture escapees.

Rehabilitation of degraded areas is extremely difficult, therefore any areas that are still relatively undisturbed are of significant ecological value and should be identified as a matter of urgency as true wild rivers. Ecological knowledge The paucity of knowledge about ecological values in the Gulf region hinders natural heritage assessment, planning and management. Support for proposals to undertake more detailed flora and fauna surveys across the whole Gulf region is essential. The Marine Environment The Gulf supports significant recreational and commercial fisheries, most of which are heavily dependant on the health of the region’s rivers. The rivers not only support a fishing tourism industry, but flood annually contributing important freshwater and nutrients to marine prawn populations. Related Posts A Brief History of the Gulf of Carpentaria - Burke Shire Council A Brief History of the Gulf of Carpentaria The Gulf of Carpentaria: Discovery and Exploration The Dutch (1600-1800) The discovery of the areas now known as the Gulf Country was exclusively a Dutch maritime affair. By the beginning of the 17th century the Dutch East India Company was well established in the East Indies and was looking to extend its influence and increase its profits by searching out new sources of supply for the raw materials which the islands yielded so abundantly.

In line with this policy the yacht 'Duifken' (Wn. Jansz, Captain) was dispatched from Bantam in 1605 to learn more about the lands and islands to the south, especially New Guinea. The expedition sailed down the south-west coast of New Guinea, missed Torres Strait entirely (the Strait was discovered by Torres in 1606) and entered the Gulf of Carpentaria. They sailed down the eastern gulf coast as far as Cape Keer-Weer, and then turned back to the islands. The knowledge that an unknown coast lay to the south prompted the Dutch East India Company to send out another expedition in 1623. This time two vessels, the "Pera" and the "Aernem" under Jan Carstenszoon were despatched. The expedition extended discovery of the eastern gulf coast south to the Staeten (Steaten) River, landing at several points (principally for water) and gave the first descriptions of the northern coast of Australia. The time of their visit was April and May, and they were not impressed with what they saw.

Detailed Coastal Exploration (1802-1842) Mathew Flinders (1802) - Detailed examination of the Gulf coasts was carried out by British naval vessels in the first decades of the 19th century, but Britain's interests in the north were not aroused until Dutch and French activities prompted action. Cook, in 1770, had re-established the existence of Torres Strait, and Bligh's and Edward's voyages in these same waters kept the Cape in public and official mind. By 1802 it was apparent that Britain had a real interest in the north and that more knowledge about the coastlines was urgently needed. The opportunity to prosecute such examinations came in 1802 when Matthew Flinders, in the refitted "Investigator", set sail from Port Jackson with instructions to examine Torres Strait and the coasts of the Gulf of Carpentaria. Matthew Flinders arrived in the Gulf waters on November 3rd, 1802 in the "Investigator". For the next 2 & a half months he examined and chartered the Gulf Coast. Whilst in the Gulf Flinders blazed a tree on Sweers Island. It was 40 years before further exploration.

Captain J. Lort Stokes in the "Beagle" spent the period between the 29th June and 4th August, 1841 retracing Flinders route in more detail. Between July 30th and August 6th Stokes discovered the Albert River and ascended it for a distance of 50 river miles from the mouth in a long boat. He was much impressed with the level grassy plains dotted with trees which stretched endlessly to the south, which he named "The Plains of Promise". Stokes also visited Sweers Island and on finding the tree blazed by Flinders, he blazed the reverse side. Dr Ludwig Leichardt's expedition in 1848 was next in the area. Forced by the topography to make a great sweep inland, the party crossed the Flinders and a river that Leichhardt mistook for the Albert. This was later named the Leichhardt by Augustus Gregory. The explorers were now 12 miles south of present day Burketown. They reached the actual Albert River on 18th August and came upon a "fine running brook" which Leichhardt named Beames Brook after Walter Beames, Esquire of Sydney.

In 1856 Augustus Gregory on his exploratory overland trip from Victoria River to Brisbane stopped on the Albert to meet with the "Sandfly", which was to resupply the party. Too impatient to wait, Gregory pushed on after burying letters at the foot of a marked tree. The schooner arrived in November. After the disappearance of Burke & Wills, search parties were organised by Victoria, South Australia and Queensland. The Queensland Government sent Frederick Walker with a relief expedition overland. He and his party rode out of Rockhampton in September 1861 and headed west. William Landsborough and his party aboard the "Firefly" escorted by the "Victoria" set out for the Albert River on August 24 to set up a rendezvous and depot to meet with Walker. In October, 1861 they found trees marked by Augustus Gregory and Lieutenant Chimno of the survey ship "Sandfly" in 1856. They marked a line of trees to guide Walker's overland expedition to the depot on the Albert on the 7th December, 1861. Map of Burke and Wills Expedition Walker contracted gulf fever and left Burketown heading south.

He died at Floraville Station where his grave still exists today. The "Firefly" was the first known ship to enter the Albert River - it sank in a small inlet near the boiling down works. Before leaving Burketown, Landsborough had Captain Norman of "HMS Victoria" buried provisions near a tree they blazed in case Burke & Wills returned. The tree still stands adjacent to the Boiling Down Works site. John McKinlay, also searching for Burke & Wills, left Adelaide on the 16th August 1861 for the Gulf. In May, 1862 he followed the Leichhardt River down to salt water and camped 5 miles from the sea. Commander Norman and the "Victoria" had left the Albert some months before.. Map from Maier's "Burke & Wills" Over the next 3 years the stations of Gregory Downs, Floraville, Beames Brook and others were taken up in the Gulf. It was obvious that a town and port was needed in the Gulf. Towns and Company chartered a small vessel the 'Jacmel Packet' and on 12 June, 1865 it arrived off the mouth of the Albert River.

The goods were eventually landed on the present site of Burketown. By September 1865 the population was about 40 and by October a store and a hotel were under construction, the balance of buildings were humpies. Rations and grog were plentiful but already one evil was noted: prices for goods were so high that some intended settlers could not stay. The town grew; however currency, both notes and coins, were so short in early Burketown that the business people issued their own currency, dubbed "shinplaster" or "calabashers". These were in the form of IOU's hand printed on tissue paper so that they had as short a life as possible. In February, 1866 Lieutenant Wentworth D'Arcy UHR with 8 troopers and accompanied by William Landsborough, the first Police Magistrate, rode into Burketown where everyone carried a pistol and where a successful shop keeper could ride well, shoot well and be an able pugilist. The pioneer spirit was indomitable and the first official race meeting was held 25 July, 1866 with prize money at $200 (sic).

The fever epidemic abated but returned in late 1866. Also that month the vessel "Margaret and Mary" dropped anchor in the Albert. She had come from Sydney (1) and brought an epidemic. Between 25 and 50 people died and some of the survivors fled to Sweers Island led by Landsborough. The island was occupied for some 18 months during which time two people are known to have died and were buried on the tiny island. A small boiling down works was operating providing a limited market for Gulf cattlemen. The Schooner "Restless" loaded casks of tallow from Ellkins Bros boiling down works. At the first land sale on 14th August 1867, 75 allotments were sold. About this time the barque "Captain Cook" arrived with machinery for another boiling down works being erected by J. G. MacDonald. A paddle steamer, the "Pioneer" ran between Burketown and Sweers Island. In October 1868 Towns and Co traded wool, tallow, hides and skins between Sweers Island and Batavia.

Burketown continued to grow and service the vast cattle stations and ply the sea trade with vessels such as the 120 ton HANNAH BROOMFIELD owned by Aplin Bros. The Shire of Burke was proclaimed on Saturday 31st January 1885. In March 1887, Burketown consisted of 138 people, 4 hotels, a general store, 8 small neat weatherboard cottages and a 3 trooper police station. At 11 a.m. on 5th March 1887 a cyclone accompanied by a tidal surge struck Burketown. 11 hours later 98% of the town was gone and 7 people had died. The heroic actions of a raw-boned Scotsman, Sergeant John Ferguson, saved many lives. Two hotels were completely destroyed and 5 houses carried away. Of the humpies no trace existed and stock losses were enormous. GULF STATIONS OCCUPIED BY 1845 Station Carpentaria - Reading Australia Carpentaria Essay Publisher's synopsis Alexis Wright is one of Australia’s finest Aboriginal writers.

Carpentaria is her second novel, an epic set in the Gulf country of north-western Queensland, from where her people come. The novel’s portrait of life in the precariously settled coastal town of Desperance centres on the powerful Phantom family, leader of the Westend Pricklebush people, and its battles with old Joseph Midnight’s renegade Eastend mob on the one hand, and the white officials of Uptown and the neighbouring Gurfurrit mine on the other. Wright’s storytelling is operatic and surreal: a blend of myth and scripture, farce and politics. The novel teems with extraordinary characters – Elias Smith, the outcast saviour, the religious zealot Mozzie Fishman, the murderous mayor Stan Bruiser, the moth-ridden Captain Nicoli Finn, the activist and prodigal son Will Phantom, and above all, the queen of the rubbish-dump, Angel Day and her sea-faring husband, Normal Phantom, the fish-embalming king of time – figures that stride like giants across this storm-swept world. Awards The Gulf [ ?

]Subscribe To This Site The Gulf The Gulf of Carpentaria track between Roper Bar in the Northern Territory and Karumba in Queensland forms part of the Savannah Way ( Broome to Carins route) and is becoming increasingly popular with travelling fishermen and tourists in general looking for a piece of outback action. Remote river systems joining the Gulf seas, such as the Roper, Limmen, McArthur, Bynoe and Norman are drawing more numbers each year seeking the elusive Barramundi . The Roper Highway begins just 7km south of Mataranka off the Stuart Highway. This 180km stretch of unsealed road to Roper Bar does have some corrugation but could be attempted by two-wheel drive vehicles at the right time of the dry season when rains haven’t created flooded crossings. Roper Bar consists of a store, camp ground and most importantly the Roper River. The Roper Bar Store sells grocery items, fishing tackle, ice, hot food, cold drinks and both diesel and unleaded fuels. Camping fees of $10 per person per night are payable at the store which is located just 2km from the camp ground.

The camp ground is close to the river and boat ramp, is reasonably shady, provides toilet and shower facilities and dogs are permitted. The Roper River is of course the attraction here. Land based fishing can be done from the bar (crossing) which is a popular spot or anywhere along the river banks. Note the bar is quite slippery and Saltwater Crocodiles inhabit the area, so proceed with caution. Flicking a lure around the bar is great fun in the picturesque surroundings of pandanus and melaluca trees. Boating is undoubtedly the ideal way to fish from this river in order to fish the holes and snags. Many fishermen were catching Barramundi during our Gulf visit and one lucky angler managed to pull in a one metre specimen, fishing as the tide was coming in. Cherebin are also plentiful in this river and the size of them is impressive. Using opera-house nets and baiting them with chook pellets (secured in pantyhose) not far from the crossing caught us some beauties. Note the tide can recede a fair way from the bank so the nets need some length in their rope and be thrown out at least 5 metres.

Roper Bar is a great spot to set up camp for a while and fish until your heart’s content. Cheap camping fees, pleasant surroundings and the chance to catch a Barramundi are enticing enough reasons to check it out. If you are continuing along Savannah Way to explore the Gulf note Roper Bar is the last fuel stop for 360km until Borroloola. The Gulf track (Savannah Way) via Nathan River Road continues south of Roper Bar and from here on in four-wheel drive vehicles are recommended. About 43km along is Tomato Island which has a huge bush camping ground by the Roper River and is extremely popular. This cheap camping area has an ablution block, running water, grass area with barbeques and a boat ramp. Boating is the only way to fish this section of the river as the dense mangroves along the bank restrict access to the water. Further on from Tomato Island the river is accessible at various spots for secluded free camping and a four-wheel drive vehicle is a necessity. The road condition declines gradually and is heavily corrugated in sections with dips, washouts, creek crossings and sharp rocks.

The general condition of the road will depend on the time of year you travel the Gulf and whether or not a grader has been through recently. If the road condition slows you down then the wildflowers will hold you up even further. We found ourselves pulling over frequently to photograph and admire the brilliant array of colours and species along the roadside. It’s amazing what you can find out in the middle of nowhere. About 74km from Tomato Island is Towns River which has a small camp ground with toilet facilities. The river banks allow good land based fishing with rocky outcrops above the water’s edge. A further 40km along the track is the turnoff to Limmen Bight and the Limmen River Fishing Camp. 12km in is Maria Lagoon which is a roadside billabong with water lilies just visible through surrounding bushland. The Limmen River Fishing Camp is 21km in from the main track and is ideal for fishermen travelling with boats. Land based fishing is the other option, inquire at the office for suitable spots. The camp itself is situated by the Limmen River which runs into Gulf waters.

Camping fees are $10 per vehicle per night which includes power, running water and use of a pit toilet and cold bush-style shower. Fishing shacks are also available for hire and dogs are permitted here. Butterfly Springs is 41km from the Limmen River turnoff and only a further 2km off the main track. This oasis in the middle of Gulf country should not be bypassed. This beautiful waterhole stays wet well into the dry season and even through to the following wet season if the annual rainfall reaches the average 800mm. Water accumulates in the rocky crevices above the pool during the wet and slowly trickles into the pool during the dry. Swimming in the clear sandy bottomed pool is fabulous and sun baking is just as good on the bank under the paperbark trees. A small camp area with toilets is located here and the pool is only a 50m walk away. Continuing 29km further is Southern Lost City which is 4km in. This unusual collection of sandstone pillars and spires are very unique and interesting. A 2.5km walking trail takes you through these amazing structures and up over the escarpment for some rewarding views.

This attraction is definitely one for the itinerary. Another 7km along the main track is the turnoff to Lorella Springs. A 29km drive in finds the heart of this outback cattle station and wilderness park. The homestead and camping area sit on the green grassy banks of hot thermal springs and the setting is delightful. Facilities include licensed bar and bistro, safari tent accommodation by the springs, ablutions, swimming pool (in the springs), barbeques and best of all they are pet friendly. There are many attractions to explore by four-wheel drive on the large property. Our favourite was the “Waterslide”. About 14km from the camp ground through some reasonably rocky country and slow four-wheel driving is this fantastic waterfall descending down a series of pools to a flat slippery rock surface entering the lower pool. As the name suggests it is a natural waterslide and great fun for “little” and “big” kids (as pictured). The 1km walk to the falls and slide involves plenty of rock hopping and sturdy shoes are advised. There are many other swimming holes, gorges and billabongs to explore at Lorella and a detailed map is available upon arrival.

We also swam at Wildfire Gorge and Emerald Pool, admired many stunning wildflowers in bloom and were in awe over a massive eagle’s nest. You could spend days exploring the area, it just depends how much time you have on your hands! For the keen fishermen access to the Gulf coast and Rosie Creek Fishing Camp is an 80km drive from Lorella Springs on a slow going four-wheel drive track. Back on the Gulf track, 133km reaches the remote town of Borroloola, best known for its McArthur River and fishing opportunities. Try your luck for a Barramundi on the McArthur, live bait seems to do well here. Note due to the remote location of this town grocery items are very expensive so stock up before you arrive! Another popular fishing location 44km northeast of Borroloola, via 21km of unsealed road, is King Ash Bay. Located on the MacArthur River is a popular and very reasonably priced camp ground. Facilities include boat ramp, toilets, showers and unpowered camp sites by the river. Powered sites are available in a designated area close to the fishing club. Camping areas are shady and dogs are permitted.

Bing Bong is 57km north of King Ash Bay and is basically a loading facility on the Gulf however fishing is permitted here and there is a boat ramp. Mule Creek is a top spot to drop in some crab nets as we caught some nice sized mud crabs here. Heading east of Borroloola back on the Gulf track (Carpentaria Highway) finds more river crossings, some requiring more attention than others. The Calvert River, approximately 170km southeast of Borroloola, is one to be noted as the crossing is particularly rough with plenty of boulders and deep in the centre. We can’t emphasize enough to get out of your vehicle and investigate the best route to take. The sides of the crossing are generally the best pathway as visibility is better and the water is shallower and easier to walk through prior to attempting it in your vehicle. Take it easy on these deep, rocky crossings as you definitely don’t want your vehicle anchored in the river or severely damaged. Wollogorang Station is about 80km further on and just 5km west of the NT/QLD border. The station once offered camping and supplies, however take note it has ceased trading.

Hell’s Gate Roadhouse is 59km over the NT/QLD border. Accommodation and camping is available here. Facilities include licensed bar, food and fuel. Veering off the Gulf track to explore Boodjamulla (Lawn Hill) National Park is an option and well worth it. There are 2 access roads off Savannah Way, 51km east of Hells Gate via Kingfisher Camp (178km) and 88km east of Hells Gate via Domadgee (124km). Both tracks are four-wheel drive only and are corrugated with patches of bulldust and numerous creek crossings. It is not recommended attempting these tracks with conventional vehicles or towing caravans. The park boasts some magnificent falls, stunning views, picturesque walks and brilliant wildflowers. If you do decide to venture off the Gulf track and explore Lawn Hill then continue 96km east of the park to Gregory Downs before proceeding back to the Savannah Way towards Burketown. This popular free camp on the banks of the Gregory River is an absolutely beautiful location to set up camp and relax. The clear fresh water is suitable for swimming in and you can float downstream with the current which is great fun.

No facilities are provided at this camp however fuel and basic supplies are available across the river in the small township. Burketown is 119km north of Gregory Downs and back on the Gulf track or 177km east of Hells Gate if you bypass Lawn Hill National Park and Gregory Downs. This small outback town prides itself on its fishing potential, being nicknamed “Barra Capital of Australia”. At the end of the main street (Beames Street) is access to the coast and the Albert River via unsealed road. Coastal access is over tidal flats on low tide so extreme caution must be taken and local advice should be sought. Burketown Caravan Park can supply mud maps to suit your needs and is very knowledgeable about the area and tidal activity. The Albert River boat ramp and jetty are about 6km from town and the perfect spot to chase Barramundi, Mangrove Jack and Salmon. Boat hire and charters are available in town, inquiries to be made at the pub. Leichhardt Falls is 77km from Burketown and it is definitely worth pulling over and taking a short walk to see if they are running.

At the Leichhardt River stop at the rocky banks and walk in a northerly direction about 200 metres and you’ll find the main falls. Continuing past the main falls along the eastern side is another series of falls and rapids. Swimming is not advisable at Leichhardt due to Saltwater Crocodiles inhabiting the river which feeds the falls. Free camping is permitted by the river. Normanton is a further 153km along the Savannah Way and the roads are suddenly bitumen again (after a few sections around Burketown and beyond). Normanton is home to the historical Gulflander Train, the Purple Pub, the Big Barramundi and life-size replica of “Krys the Savannah King” – the largest recorded Saltwater Crocodile shot by crocodile hunters in the world. Karumba is 70km northwest of Normanton and finds the Gulf Track complete. Recreational fishing for Barramundi is the main activity here and the small town is flooded with tourists during the dry season (May to September). There are 3 caravan parks in the area and most sites are booked well in advance as many tourists travel here annually and stay for long periods, so try and book ahead if possible.

Due to the significant number of fishermen visiting the area and catching Barramundi a barramundi hatchery has been established to restock the Gulf waterways. The Barramundi Discovery Centre in Karumba is very informative, interesting and worth visiting to learn about these elusive fish so adored in the north. Exploring the Gulf of Carpentaria region is an exciting and varying experience perfect for the four-wheel drive enthusiast and outback adventurer. If you enjoy fishing and crabbing rivers and creeks, exploring springs, gorges and waterfalls and of course being on a Barramundi high, then this track will not disappoint…just make sure you catch at least one Barra! The Gulf - Destinations Distance (Km) West to East Distance (Km) East to West Mataranka

Question: Off which country is the Gulf of Carpenteria?
Answer: Australia