Gibraltar Creek
| Gibraltar Creek | |
|---|---|
 Gibraltar Creek in the foreground, with Gibraltar Peak in the district of Paddys River. | |
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| Location | |
| Country | Australia |
| Territory | Australian Capital Territory |
| Region | South Eastern Highlands (IBRA), Capital Country |
| Physical characteristics | |
| Source | Brindabella Ranges |
| • location | Billy Billy Rocks in Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve |
| • coordinates | 35°29′8.97″S 148°56′2.63″E / 35.4858250°S 148.9340639°E |
| • elevation | 1,420 m (4,660 ft) |
| Mouth | confluence with Paddys River |
• coordinates | 35°26′30.55″S 148°58′57.1″E / 35.4418194°S 148.982528°E |
• elevation | 647 m (2,123 ft) |
| Length | 13 km (8.1 mi) |
| Basin features | |
| River system | Murrumbidgee River, Murray–Darling basin |
| Falls | Gibraltar Falls |
| [1] | |
Gibraltar Creek, a perennial stream that is part of the Murrumbidgee catchment within the Murray-Darling basin, is located in the Australian Capital Territory, Australia.
There are several types of Greenhoods found along the creek's banks. Historical Aboriginal camp-sites have been also found on the creek banks.
Location and features
Gibraltar Creek rises on the eastern slopes of the Brindabella Ranges in the south-west of the Australian Capital Territory (ACT), below Billy Billy Rocks in Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve, within Namadgi National Park. The creek flows generally north-east before reaching its confluence with Paddys River, south-west of Tuggeranong Town Centre. The creek descends 774 metres (2,539 ft) over its 13 kilometres (8.1 mi) course.[1][2]
Gibraltar Falls are found on the Gibraltar Creek;[2] and Gibraltar Creek Woods Reserve are located on the creek's edge.[3]
Wildlife and vegetation
Vegetation found on the banks of the creek include threatened flora such as the Scarlet Greenhoods, Fisch's Greenhood, Faint Greenhoods, Nodding Greenhoods and Maroonhoods.[4] E. callianassa, Banksia and B. marginata have been found in the creek.[5]
In 1930, the Cotter River was stocked with New Zealand trout, which were expected to migrate up the tributaries including the creek.[6][7]
History
Historical Aboriginal camp-sites have been found on the creek banks.[8] In 1863, land abutting the creek was sold at auction.[9] During late 1933 and early 1934, the river flooded several times and made it difficult to cross the creek. A motion was made to Australia's Minister for the Interior to cement over the creek bed to make crossing during the flood more feasible.[10] By 1934, ramps had been added to assist in crossing the creek, replacing gates that had been placed there for cattle crossings.[11]
Bushwalkers organised walks alongside the creek in the 1950s.[12] In 1954, hikers got lost in the area and a search for them took place near the creek.[13] In 1957, a teenager was shot while hiking near the creek.[14]
References
- ^ a b "Map of Gibraltar Creek, ACT". Bonzle.com. Retrieved 13 February 2013.
- ^ a b "Gibraltar Falls". Visit Canberra. Archived from the original on 24 October 2012. Retrieved 26 October 2012.
- ^ "Woods Reserve". Territory and Municipal Services. Government of the Australian Capital Territory. Archived from the original on 16 April 2012. Retrieved 26 October 2012.
- ^ Fraser, Ian; Marsack, Peter (2011). A Bush Capital Year: A Natural History of the Canberra Region. CSIRO Publishing. pp. 54–56. ISBN 978-0-643-10224-8.
- ^ IFB Common (1994). Oecophorine Genera of Australia I: The Wingia Group (Lepidoptera: Oecophoridae). CSIRO Publishing. p. 145. ISBN 978-0-643-10581-2.
- ^ "Re-stocking streams". The Canberra Times. National Library of Australia. 20 September 1930. p. 6.
- ^ "Angled Asked T[?] Protect Breeding Areas". The Canberra Times. National Library of Australia. 30 September 1954. p. 6.
- ^ Flood, Josephine (1999). The riches of ancient Australia: an indispensable guide for exploring prehistoric Australia. University of Queensland Press. p. 305. ISBN 978-0-7022-3083-7.
- ^ "Important Country Investment". The Sydney Morning Herald. 5 August 1863. p. 6.
- ^ "Advisory Council". The Canberra Times. National Library of Australia. 16 January 1934. p. 2.
- ^ "Advisory Council Meeting". The Canberra Times. National Library of Australia. 17 July 1934. p. 4.
- ^ "What people are doing". The Canberra Times. National Library of Australia. 15 December 1953. p. 4.
- ^ "Fears Grow for Hikers Lost in the Blue Mountains". Australia. 22 April 1954. p. 1.
- ^ "Hiking Youth Shot". The Sydney Morning Herald. 16 June 1957. p. 2.
Rivers, other watercourses, reservoirs, river islands and waterfalls of the Australian Capital Territory | |
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| Rivers and creeks | |
| Reservoirs | |
| River islands | |
| Waterfalls | |
