Tags:   river rivers riverbend waterhole water waters wetland wetlands waterfront tide tidal low high mud muds muddy mudflats mangrove mangroves forest forests mangrove forest wet rock rocks sand sands bird birds island islands scenery scenic nature natural native conserve conservation wild life aborginal indigenous gkuthaarn kurtijar people peoples history historic heritage culture cultural outback norman river normanton gulf of carpentaria queensland australia

© All Rights Reserved

For centuries the Gkuthaarn and Kurtijar have lived in the Normanton area. They hunted across the wetlands, trapped fish in the shallows, held ceremonies, and resolved disputes in time honoured ways.

That changed in the mid 19th Century when European explorers wrote favourably of the Gulf region's pastoral opportunities. Normanton was soon established as a port town with coastal shipping skirting the wetlands on their trip up the river to the old wharf near the bridge.

A meatworks operated near Goose Lagoon from the 1890s to the early twentieth century. Although mainly slaughtering cattle for tallow it possibly contributed to the wetland's name as sheep grazing was attempted early on.

The alluvial plains of the Gulf are dotted with lagoons and shallow mounds know as Gilgai. Silt is deposited during floods and, during the dry season, soil commonly cracks and flakes. During high tides, salt water flows into some of the lagoons and low-lying areas.

The Mutton Hole Wetlands are 78km2, and form a part of the Gulf Plains which cover the equivalent of half the area of Victoria or Great Britain. They are the most accessible part of this fascinating region of winding rivers, floodplains, and waterholes.

Annual rainfall averages 911mm with most falling between January and March. Falls can exceed 250mm a day. Its feast or famine; the rest of the year it is virtually dry. By comparison Brisbane and Sydney average around 1200mm, but spread throughout the year.

With high rainfall and floodwaters pouring down the Norman River the area can quickly turn into a huge sheet of water. This area is sometimes several metres underwater.

Summer temperatures fluctuate around a steamy 30+ Degree C but average dry season temperatures range from 29 Degrees C during the day to 16 Degrees C at night.

The Wetlands may seem challenging for plant life but Coolibah (Eucalyptus microtheca) and Gutta Percha (Excoecaria parvifolia) dominate the woody higher ground. Along the lagoon shores numerous reeds and grasses flourish and on the salt flats you can find succulents like Tecticornia australasica. Over twenty different fish species have been recorded in the lagoons. The flathead catfish found in the 2008 wrt season was new to science. The wetlands are important nursery habitats for banana prawns and barramundi. Snakes, crocodiles, and wallabies also live in and around the lagoons and waterholes, with feral pigs and cats often found when food is abundant.

Over 120 species of birds call it home or use it seasonably as they travel across the world. The waters are home to many fishes and amphibians and on land wallabies, pigs, and dingoes roam.

Birds found in the Wetlands include:

The Apostle bird, that hand around in chattering flocks. Some say flocks of twelve are common, hence their name, but studies suggest smaller groups are normal.

Australian Bustards wander around grassy plains or in small flocks. One bush yarn recounts that old timers hunted them (which is now illegal) by wandering around them in a wide circle. The over inquisitive birds ring their own necks watching what is happening.

The Black Necked Stork is a stately stork bird also known as the Jabiru and stands about 1200mm high. They prefer a lone existence and enjoy a fish, frog, and carrion diet. They linger around the waterhole margins.

The Brolga has a red head and grey neck and bodies whereas the rare Sarus crane has aed extending down their neck. They often congregate together and dance. Sarus cranes are among the rarest cranes in the world with possibly only two thousand remaining. The Mutton Hole Wetlands is a breeding ground for both the Brolga and Sarus crane.

Double Bar Finch's flock enjoy seeding grasses. They enjoy frequent drinks and therefore keep close to the water.

The Great and Little Egrets perch in the trees around waterholes or wade through the shallows. The Great Egret stands about 800mm high while the Little Egret, with its black bill, is around 560mm.

Flocks of Magpie Geese honk noisily to one another while feeding or formation flying. A male may have two sisters as its partner. Their feet are only partially webbed, hence their scientific name: Anseranus semipalmata.

Pied Herons like the edges of waterholes and being around livestock. They enjoy an insect diet. Another name for them is the 'white headed egret', despite the fact the top of the head is a blue black.

Radjah Shelducks, also known as Burdekin ducks, are birds that have a dark band across the otherwise white upper breast. They are active feeders late in the date and dislike others invading their territory.

The Swamphen's big feet enable these distinctive birds to wander through dense reed beds. Their white undertail is often seen as it flicks its tail when altered.

The Pied Butcherbird frequents open country and is a stunning singer. Youngsters stay with their parents for around 18 months.

The Whimbrel arrives in Australia around August/September and leaves for Siberia in May, where it breeds, although some youngsters prefer to stay in Northern Australia. Whimbrels enjoy poking in muddy ground for worms and small shellfish.

Source: Carpentaria Shire, Queensland Government.

Tags:   waterhole water waters wetland wetlands waterfront tide tidal low high mud muds muddy mudflats mangrove mangroves forest forests forest wet rock rocks sand sands bird birds island islands scenery scenic nature natural native conserve conservation wild life aborginal indigenous gkuthaarn kurtijar people peoples history historic heritage culture cultural outback normanton gulf of carpentaria queensland australia

© All Rights Reserved

For centuries the Gkuthaarn and Kurtijar have lived in the Normanton area. They hunted across the wetlands, trapped fish in the shallows, held ceremonies, and resolved disputes in time honoured ways.

That changed in the mid 19th Century when European explorers wrote favourably of the Gulf region's pastoral opportunities. Normanton was soon established as a port town with coastal shipping skirting the wetlands on their trip up the river to the old wharf near the bridge.

A meatworks operated near Goose Lagoon from the 1890s to the early twentieth century. Although mainly slaughtering cattle for tallow it possibly contributed to the wetland's name as sheep grazing was attempted early on.

The alluvial plains of the Gulf are dotted with lagoons and shallow mounds know as Gilgai. Silt is deposited during floods and, during the dry season, soil commonly cracks and flakes. During high tides, salt water flows into some of the lagoons and low-lying areas.

The Mutton Hole Wetlands are 78km2, and form a part of the Gulf Plains which cover the equivalent of half the area of Victoria or Great Britain. They are the most accessible part of this fascinating region of winding rivers, floodplains, and waterholes.

Annual rainfall averages 911mm with most falling between January and March. Falls can exceed 250mm a day. Its feast or famine; the rest of the year it is virtually dry. By comparison Brisbane and Sydney average around 1200mm, but spread throughout the year.

With high rainfall and floodwaters pouring down the Norman River the area can quickly turn into a huge sheet of water. This area is sometimes several metres underwater.

Summer temperatures fluctuate around a steamy 30+ Degree C but average dry season temperatures range from 29 Degrees C during the day to 16 Degrees C at night.

The Wetlands may seem challenging for plant life but Coolibah (Eucalyptus microtheca) and Gutta Percha (Excoecaria parvifolia) dominate the woody higher ground. Along the lagoon shores numerous reeds and grasses flourish and on the salt flats you can find succulents like Tecticornia australasica. Over twenty different fish species have been recorded in the lagoons. The flathead catfish found in the 2008 wrt season was new to science. The wetlands are important nursery habitats for banana prawns and barramundi. Snakes, crocodiles, and wallabies also live in and around the lagoons and waterholes, with feral pigs and cats often found when food is abundant.

Over 120 species of birds call it home or use it seasonably as they travel across the world. The waters are home to many fishes and amphibians and on land wallabies, pigs, and dingoes roam.

Birds found in the Wetlands include:

The Apostle bird, that hand around in chattering flocks. Some say flocks of twelve are common, hence their name, but studies suggest smaller groups are normal.

Australian Bustards wander around grassy plains or in small flocks. One bush yarn recounts that old timers hunted them (which is now illegal) by wandering around them in a wide circle. The over inquisitive birds ring their own necks watching what is happening.

The Black Necked Stork is a stately stork bird also known as the Jabiru and stands about 1200mm high. They prefer a lone existence and enjoy a fish, frog, and carrion diet. They linger around the waterhole margins.

The Brolga has a red head and grey neck and bodies whereas the rare Sarus crane has aed extending down their neck. They often congregate together and dance. Sarus cranes are among the rarest cranes in the world with possibly only two thousand remaining. The Mutton Hole Wetlands is a breeding ground for both the Brolga and Sarus crane.

Double Bar Finch's flock enjoy seeding grasses. They enjoy frequent drinks and therefore keep close to the water.

The Great and Little Egrets perch in the trees around waterholes or wade through the shallows. The Great Egret stands about 800mm high while the Little Egret, with its black bill, is around 560mm.

Flocks of Magpie Geese honk noisily to one another while feeding or formation flying. A male may have two sisters as its partner. Their feet are only partially webbed, hence their scientific name: Anseranus semipalmata.

Pied Herons like the edges of waterholes and being around livestock. They enjoy an insect diet. Another name for them is the 'white headed egret', despite the fact the top of the head is a blue black.

Radjah Shelducks, also known as Burdekin ducks, are birds that have a dark band across the otherwise white upper breast. They are active feeders late in the date and dislike others invading their territory.

The Swamphen's big feet enable these distinctive birds to wander through dense reed beds. Their white undertail is often seen as it flicks its tail when altered.

The Pied Butcherbird frequents open country and is a stunning singer. Youngsters stay with their parents for around 18 months.

The Whimbrel arrives in Australia around August/September and leaves for Siberia in May, where it breeds, although some youngsters prefer to stay in Northern Australia. Whimbrels enjoy poking in muddy ground for worms and small shellfish.

Source: Carpentaria Shire, Queensland Government.

Tags:   waterhole water waters wetland wetlands waterfront tide tidal low high mud muds muddy mudflats mangrove mangroves forest forests mangrove forest wet rock rocks sand sands bird birds island islands scenery scenic nature natural native conserve conservation wild life aborginal indigenous gkuthaarn kurtijar people peoples history historic heritage culture cultural outback normanton gulf of carpentaria queensland australia

© All Rights Reserved

For centuries the Gkuthaarn and Kurtijar have lived in the Normanton area. They hunted across the wetlands, trapped fish in the shallows, held ceremonies, and resolved disputes in time honoured ways.

That changed in the mid 19th Century when European explorers wrote favourably of the Gulf region's pastoral opportunities. Normanton was soon established as a port town with coastal shipping skirting the wetlands on their trip up the river to the old wharf near the bridge.

A meatworks operated near Goose Lagoon from the 1890s to the early twentieth century. Although mainly slaughtering cattle for tallow it possibly contributed to the wetland's name as sheep grazing was attempted early on.

The alluvial plains of the Gulf are dotted with lagoons and shallow mounds know as Gilgai. Silt is deposited during floods and, during the dry season, soil commonly cracks and flakes. During high tides, salt water flows into some of the lagoons and low-lying areas.

The Mutton Hole Wetlands are 78km2, and form a part of the Gulf Plains which cover the equivalent of half the area of Victoria or Great Britain. They are the most accessible part of this fascinating region of winding rivers, floodplains, and waterholes.

Annual rainfall averages 911mm with most falling between January and March. Falls can exceed 250mm a day. Its feast or famine; the rest of the year it is virtually dry. By comparison Brisbane and Sydney average around 1200mm, but spread throughout the year.

With high rainfall and floodwaters pouring down the Norman River the area can quickly turn into a huge sheet of water. This area is sometimes several metres underwater.

Summer temperatures fluctuate around a steamy 30+ Degree C but average dry season temperatures range from 29 Degrees C during the day to 16 Degrees C at night.

The Wetlands may seem challenging for plant life but Coolibah (Eucalyptus microtheca) and Gutta Percha (Excoecaria parvifolia) dominate the woody higher ground. Along the lagoon shores numerous reeds and grasses flourish and on the salt flats you can find succulents like Tecticornia australasica. Over twenty different fish species have been recorded in the lagoons. The flathead catfish found in the 2008 wrt season was new to science. The wetlands are important nursery habitats for banana prawns and barramundi. Snakes, crocodiles, and wallabies also live in and around the lagoons and waterholes, with feral pigs and cats often found when food is abundant.

Over 120 species of birds call it home or use it seasonably as they travel across the world. The waters are home to many fishes and amphibians and on land wallabies, pigs, and dingoes roam.

Birds found in the Wetlands include:

The Apostle bird, that hand around in chattering flocks. Some say flocks of twelve are common, hence their name, but studies suggest smaller groups are normal.

Australian Bustards wander around grassy plains or in small flocks. One bush yarn recounts that old timers hunted them (which is now illegal) by wandering around them in a wide circle. The over inquisitive birds ring their own necks watching what is happening.

The Black Necked Stork is a stately stork bird also known as the Jabiru and stands about 1200mm high. They prefer a lone existence and enjoy a fish, frog, and carrion diet. They linger around the waterhole margins.

The Brolga has a red head and grey neck and bodies whereas the rare Sarus crane has aed extending down their neck. They often congregate together and dance. Sarus cranes are among the rarest cranes in the world with possibly only two thousand remaining. The Mutton Hole Wetlands is a breeding ground for both the Brolga and Sarus crane.

Double Bar Finch's flock enjoy seeding grasses. They enjoy frequent drinks and therefore keep close to the water.

The Great and Little Egrets perch in the trees around waterholes or wade through the shallows. The Great Egret stands about 800mm high while the Little Egret, with its black bill, is around 560mm.

Flocks of Magpie Geese honk noisily to one another while feeding or formation flying. A male may have two sisters as its partner. Their feet are only partially webbed, hence their scientific name: Anseranus semipalmata.

Pied Herons like the edges of waterholes and being around livestock. They enjoy an insect diet. Another name for them is the 'white headed egret', despite the fact the top of the head is a blue black.

Radjah Shelducks, also known as Burdekin ducks, are birds that have a dark band across the otherwise white upper breast. They are active feeders late in the date and dislike others invading their territory.

The Swamphen's big feet enable these distinctive birds to wander through dense reed beds. Their white undertail is often seen as it flicks its tail when altered.

The Pied Butcherbird frequents open country and is a stunning singer. Youngsters stay with their parents for around 18 months.

The Whimbrel arrives in Australia around August/September and leaves for Siberia in May, where it breeds, although some youngsters prefer to stay in Northern Australia. Whimbrels enjoy poking in muddy ground for worms and small shellfish.

Source: Carpentaria Shire, Queensland Government.

Tags:   waterhole water waters wetland wetlands waterfront tide tidal low high mud muds muddy mudflats mangrove mangroves forest forests mangrove forest wet rock rocks sand sands bird birds island islands scenery scenic nature natural native conserve conservation wild life aborginal indigenous gkuthaarn kurtijar people peoples history historic heritage culture cultural outback normanton gulf of carpentaria queensland australia

© All Rights Reserved

For centuries the Gkuthaarn and Kurtijar have lived in the Normanton area. They hunted across the wetlands, trapped fish in the shallows, held ceremonies, and resolved disputes in time honoured ways.

That changed in the mid 19th Century when European explorers wrote favourably of the Gulf region's pastoral opportunities. Normanton was soon established as a port town with coastal shipping skirting the wetlands on their trip up the river to the old wharf near the bridge.

A meatworks operated near Goose Lagoon from the 1890s to the early twentieth century. Although mainly slaughtering cattle for tallow it possibly contributed to the wetland's name as sheep grazing was attempted early on.

The alluvial plains of the Gulf are dotted with lagoons and shallow mounds know as Gilgai. Silt is deposited during floods and, during the dry season, soil commonly cracks and flakes. During high tides, salt water flows into some of the lagoons and low-lying areas.

The Mutton Hole Wetlands are 78km2, and form a part of the Gulf Plains which cover the equivalent of half the area of Victoria or Great Britain. They are the most accessible part of this fascinating region of winding rivers, floodplains, and waterholes.

Annual rainfall averages 911mm with most falling between January and March. Falls can exceed 250mm a day. Its feast or famine; the rest of the year it is virtually dry. By comparison Brisbane and Sydney average around 1200mm, but spread throughout the year.

With high rainfall and floodwaters pouring down the Norman River the area can quickly turn into a huge sheet of water. This area is sometimes several metres underwater.

Summer temperatures fluctuate around a steamy 30+ Degree C but average dry season temperatures range from 29 Degrees C during the day to 16 Degrees C at night.

The Wetlands may seem challenging for plant life but Coolibah (Eucalyptus microtheca) and Gutta Percha (Excoecaria parvifolia) dominate the woody higher ground. Along the lagoon shores numerous reeds and grasses flourish and on the salt flats you can find succulents like Tecticornia australasica. Over twenty different fish species have been recorded in the lagoons. The flathead catfish found in the 2008 wrt season was new to science. The wetlands are important nursery habitats for banana prawns and barramundi. Snakes, crocodiles, and wallabies also live in and around the lagoons and waterholes, with feral pigs and cats often found when food is abundant.

Over 120 species of birds call it home or use it seasonably as they travel across the world. The waters are home to many fishes and amphibians and on land wallabies, pigs, and dingoes roam.

Birds found in the Wetlands include:

The Apostle bird, that hand around in chattering flocks. Some say flocks of twelve are common, hence their name, but studies suggest smaller groups are normal.

Australian Bustards wander around grassy plains or in small flocks. One bush yarn recounts that old timers hunted them (which is now illegal) by wandering around them in a wide circle. The over inquisitive birds ring their own necks watching what is happening.

The Black Necked Stork is a stately stork bird also known as the Jabiru and stands about 1200mm high. They prefer a lone existence and enjoy a fish, frog, and carrion diet. They linger around the waterhole margins.

The Brolga has a red head and grey neck and bodies whereas the rare Sarus crane has aed extending down their neck. They often congregate together and dance. Sarus cranes are among the rarest cranes in the world with possibly only two thousand remaining. The Mutton Hole Wetlands is a breeding ground for both the Brolga and Sarus crane.

Double Bar Finch's flock enjoy seeding grasses. They enjoy frequent drinks and therefore keep close to the water.

The Great and Little Egrets perch in the trees around waterholes or wade through the shallows. The Great Egret stands about 800mm high while the Little Egret, with its black bill, is around 560mm.

Flocks of Magpie Geese honk noisily to one another while feeding or formation flying. A male may have two sisters as its partner. Their feet are only partially webbed, hence their scientific name: Anseranus semipalmata.

Pied Herons like the edges of waterholes and being around livestock. They enjoy an insect diet. Another name for them is the 'white headed egret', despite the fact the top of the head is a blue black.

Radjah Shelducks, also known as Burdekin ducks, are birds that have a dark band across the otherwise white upper breast. They are active feeders late in the date and dislike others invading their territory.

The Swamphen's big feet enable these distinctive birds to wander through dense reed beds. Their white undertail is often seen as it flicks its tail when altered.

The Pied Butcherbird frequents open country and is a stunning singer. Youngsters stay with their parents for around 18 months.

The Whimbrel arrives in Australia around August/September and leaves for Siberia in May, where it breeds, although some youngsters prefer to stay in Northern Australia. Whimbrels enjoy poking in muddy ground for worms and small shellfish.

Source: Carpentaria Shire, Queensland Government.

Tags:   waterhole water waters wetland wetlands waterfront tide tidal low high mud muds muddy mudflats mangrove mangroves forest forests wet rock rocks sand sands bird birds island islands scenery scenic nature natural native conserve conservation wild life aborginal indigenous gkuthaarn kurtijar people peoples history historic heritage culture cultural outback normanton gulf of carpentaria queensland australia

© All Rights Reserved