Laura River (Queensland)

The Laura River is a river located in the Cape York Peninsula region of Far North Queensland, Australia.

Laura
Hearn
Location of Laura River river mouth in Queensland
EtymologyLaura, the wife of Archibald Campbell Macmillan[1]
Location
CountryAustralia
StateQueensland
RegionFar North Queensland, Cape York Peninsula
CityLaura
Physical characteristics
SourceGreat Dividing Range
 • locationbelow Mount Murray
 • coordinates15°55′58″S 144°51′15″E
 • elevation234 m (768 ft)
Mouthconfluence with the Normanby River
 • location
south of Hope Vale
 • coordinates
15°12′00″S 144°26′04″E
 • elevation
54 m (177 ft)
Length126 km (78 mi)
Basin features
River systemNormanby River
Tributaries 
 • leftMosman River, Kennedy Creek
 • rightNinda Creek, Deighton River
National parkLakefield National Park
[2]

Course and features

The Laura River rises on the eastern slopes of the Great Dividing Range below Mount Murray. The river flows generally northwest, shadowed by the Peninsular Development Road from nearby Lakeland and then flows north through the town of Laura and then the river forms the western border of the Lakefield National Park, while the Peninsular Development Road continues north-west through Coen to reach the top of the peninsula at Bamaga. The river is joined by sixteen tributaries including the Deighton, Little Laura and Mosman rivers. The river reaches its confluence and empties into the Normanby River south of Hope Vale. The river descends 180 metres (590 ft) over its 126-kilometre (78 mi) course.[2][3]

The river is crossed by the Mulligan Highway near Mount Gibson.

A railway bridge was built over this river, but because of a change in finances and plans it was never used, except for a test train.

Etymology

The river was named as the Hearn River by William Hann on 19 October 1872, after his wife's family name. The name Laura was given by Archibald Macmillan, a road surveyor and explorer, after his wife, Laura Bower (nee Poingdestre).[4][1]

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See also

References
  1. "Laura River". Queensland place names search. Queensland Government. Retrieved 30 October 2015.
  2. "Map of Laura River, QLD". Bonzle Digital Atlas of Australia. Retrieved 30 October 2015.
  3. Reader's Digest Map of Australia. Sydney, Australia: Reader's Digest Services Pty Limited. 1977. ISBN 0-909486-54-9.
  4. Jack, R. L. (1922). Northmost Australia. 2. Melbourne: George Robertson and Co. p. 422.


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