Visiting Burke Shire Burketown
| Burketown |
|
Burketown is 25km from the coast of the Gulf of Carpentaria. It is situated on the Albert River and is the dividing line between wetlands to the north and Savannah grasslands (Plains of Promise) to the south. The Nicholson River, some 17 km to the west, is perennial fresh water. The wetlands are the breeding grounds of crocodiles, barramundi, prawns and birds which are particularly prolific during the summer months. The grasslands to the south are the habitat of a great array of wildlife including emus, kangaroos and birdlife. LOCATION
AIRSTRIP
ATTRACTIONS The original Gulf meatworks: located on the Albert River just north of the town. The old town bore is over 100 years old and still issues boiling water and creates a billabong where birdlife gathers. The many minerals contained in the water form a colourful base around the bore. The Frederick Walker monument: situated at the Leichhardt River crossing near the Floraville homestead. A natural campsite exists on the Leichhardt River crossing near the falls where there are also some Aboriginal grinding slits in the river bed. There have been crocodile sightings upstream from the river crossing, so be aware of your environment as you roam around. The Burketown to Normanton telegraph line: the line was in competition with the Adelaide to Darwin line to be the terminus for the trans-oceanic cable connecting Australia to Asia and Europe. The Burketown line lost as "Gulf Fever" killed the expedition leader of the surveying crew, Frederick Walker. He was buried on the bank of the Leichhardt River. The Albert Hotel in Burketown was originally the Customs House and was built some time in the late 1860s. It is the oldest building in the Gulf. The original Burketown Post Office: over 100 hundred years old, is now the town's information centre. The Burketown cemetery: a fascinating journey into the past as Burketown was the original Gulf settlement with very turbulent beginnings. The cemetery also gives a good indication of the devastation of "Gulf Fever" (thought to be typhoid). The Gregory and Nicholson Rivers: merge just north of Doomadgee road and continue on to the Gulf of Carpentaria. In the lower reaches of this river system the environment sustains saltwater crocodiles, birdlife, mud crabs and many species of fish but of special note is the barramundi. The mangrove lined river meanders through miles of saltpans. The salt flats: some of which are 130 square kilometres in dimension, are a spectacular exercise in space. FACILITIES Hospital & Ambulance: Phone (07) 4745 5133 Burketown Bargain Barn Burketown Caravan Park Burketown Marine Charter Burketown Nursery Burketown Pub Forshaw Contracting Gary Butler Earthmoving Male Plumbing Services Mike Behrendt Weed Contracting
Nowland Engineering
Savannah Aviation Savannah Lodge Woodwork |
