Bloomfield River

Bloomfield
River
The Bloomfield River
Country Australia
State Queensland
Regions Far North Queensland, Wet Tropics of Queensland
Source Great Dividing Range
 - location below Zig Zag
 - elevation 174 m (571 ft)
 - coordinates 15°59′33″S 145°17′12″E / 15.99250°S 145.28667°E / -15.99250; 145.28667
Mouth Weary Bay, Coral Sea
 - location near Ayton
 - elevation 0 m (0 ft)
 - coordinates 15°55′07″S 145°22′01″E / 15.91861°S 145.36694°E / -15.91861; 145.36694Coordinates: 15°55′07″S 145°22′01″E / 15.91861°S 145.36694°E / -15.91861; 145.36694
Length 18 km (11 mi)
Conservation park Bloomfield River Regional Park
Location of Bloomfield River river mouth in Queensland
Wikimedia Commons: Bloomfield River
[1][2]

The Bloomfield River is a river located in the Wet Tropics of Far North Queensland, Australia, noted for its Bloomfield River cod fish species, found only in the river.

Course and features

The river rises in the Great Dividing Range below Zig Zag and southeast of Wujal Wujal. The river flows generally east by north before reaching its mouth and emptying into Weary Bay in the Coral Sea near the settlement of Ayton, north of Daintree. The river enters the Coral Sea north of Cape Tribulation. The river estuary is in near pristine conditions.[2]

In 2014 the Australian and Queensland governments completed a A$21 million bridge across the river, called the Bobby and Jacky Ball Bloomfield River Bridge. The bridge was named after two respected elders, brother Bobby and Jacky Ball. The land where the bridge was constructed and south to Degarra is their traditional country. The Ball brothers are the eldest remaining sons of their family. During the construction of the bridge, they would visit the site daily. They walk from the Wujal Wujal Shire to Degarra each day to visit a river fishing spot.[3]

Etymology

The river was originally named Blomfield's Rivulet by Phillip Parker King on 26 June 1818.[4]

Fishery controls and environmental issues

It is prohibited to catch the Bloomfield river cod in Queensland.[5]

The controversial Bloomfield Track which connects Cape Tribulation with Cooktown crosses the Bloomfield River. This crossing was closed in February 2011 by the Cairns Regional Council after flooding destroyed the causeway. A passenger-only ferry service was in place until a four-wheel drive only temporary crossing opened in May 2011.[6] Construction of an all weather bridge began in October 2013 and was completed April 2014. A bridge over Woobada creek was completed late 2014. Douglas Shire Council maintains the Bloomfield Track.

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Map of Bloomfield (Banner Yearie) River, QLD". Bonzle Digital Atlas of Australia. Retrieved 23 October 2015.
  2. 1 2 "Estuary Assessment 2000: Bloomfield River". Australian Natural Resource Atlas. Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities. Retrieved 24 May 2011.
  3. ↑ Entsch, Warren (3 October 2014). "Traffic flows over new Bobby & Jacky Ball Bloomfield River Bridge" (Press release). The Hon. Warren Entsch MP. Retrieved 23 October 2015.
  4. ↑ The Narrative of a Survey, Vol. I.
  5. ↑ "Bloomfield river cod". Fisheries: Species identification: Freshwater fish. Department of Agriculture and Fisheries, Queensland Government. 31 August 2012. Retrieved 24 May 2011.
  6. ↑ Jensen, Nikki (25 May 2011). "Bloomfield Crossing Reignites Tourism". ABC News. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 15 March 2014.



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