Mackenzie
Apis Creek Road crossing at the Mackenzie River near Foleyvale Station north of Duaringa
Mackenzie River (Queensland) is located in Queensland
Mackenzie River (Queensland)
Location of Mackenzie River mouth in Queensland
Location
CountryAustralia
StateQueensland
RegionCentral Queensland
TownshipRolleston; Comet
Physical characteristics
SourceExpedition Range
Source confluenceComet River and Nogoa River
 • locationnorth of Comet
 • coordinates23°33′21″S 148°32′11″E / 23.55583°S 148.53639°E / -23.55583; 148.53639
 • elevation144 m (472 ft)
Mouthconfluence with the Dawson River to form the Fitzroy River
 • location
east of Duaringa
 • coordinates
23°37′39″S 149°46′02″E / 23.62750°S 149.76722°E / -23.62750; 149.76722
 • elevation
65 m (213 ft)
Length275 km (171 mi)
Basin size12,992 km2 (5,016 sq mi)
Basin features
River systemFitzroy River
Tributaries 
 • leftIsaac River, Connors River, Funnel Creek
National parkGoodedulla National Park
[1][2][3][4]

The Mackenzie River is a river in Central Queensland, Australia. The Mackenzie River is a major tributary of the Fitzroy River, part of the largest river catchment flowing to the eastern coast of Australia.[5]

Course and features

Formed by the confluence of the Comet and Nogoa rivers flowing from the Expedition Range, the river rises north of Comet and flows generally north by east towards the Broadsound Range. North of the settlement of Royles, the river flows south by east and west of the Goodedulla National Park towards Duaringa and splits as an anabranch on multiple occasions. The river is joined by twenty-four tributaries including the Isaac and Connors rivers and Funnel Creek.[6] Northeast of Duaringa, the Mackenzie is joined by the Dawson River and together they form the Fitzroy River. From source to mouth, the Mackenzie River descends 79 metres (259 ft) over its 275-kilometre (171 mi) course.[2][3][4][7]

The Bingegang Weir near Middlemount contains barramundi, southern saratoga and golden perch.[6] The Bedford Weir and Tartrus Weir are also stocked with barramundi. Bedford Weir is popular with water-skiers and camping is permitted adjacent to the reservoir.[6]

History

Yetimarala (also known as Jetimarala, Yetimaralla, and Bayali) is an Australian Aboriginal language of Central Queensland. Its traditional language region is within the local government areas of Central Highlands Region, on the Boomer Range and Broadsound Range and the Fitzroy River, Killarney Station, Mackenzie River and Isaac River.[8] Garingbal, a language of Central Queensland was also spoken in this region, primarily around the Bowen Basin. The Garingbal language region includes the landscape within the local government boundaries of Central Highlands Regional Council.[9]

The first European to discover the river was Ludwig Leichhardt in 1844; he was a German explorer who explored many parts of Queensland and the Northern Territory.[10]

See also

References

  1. ^ "Comet, Nogoa and Mackenzie rivers". State of the Rivers report. Department of Environment and Resource Management, Queensland Government. 23 October 2008. Archived from the original on 20 May 2009. Retrieved 20 May 2009.
  2. ^ a b "Map of Mackenzie River, QLD (1)". Bonzle Digital Atlas of Australia. Retrieved 17 November 2015.
  3. ^ a b "Map of Mackenzie River, QLD (2)". Bonzle Digital Atlas of Australia. Retrieved 17 November 2015.
  4. ^ a b "Map of Mackenzie River, QLD (3)". Bonzle Digital Atlas of Australia. Retrieved 17 November 2015.
  5. ^ Fitzroy Basin Association (2005). Central Queensland Strategy for Sustainability: 2004 and beyond. Rockhampton, Qld.: The Fitzroy Basin Association Inc. ISBN 0-9758172-0-5.
  6. ^ a b c Harrison, Rod; Ernie James; Chris Sully; Bill Classon; Joy Eckermann (2008). Queensland Dams. Bayswater, Victoria: Australian Fishing Network. p. 157. ISBN 978-1-86513-134-4.
  7. ^ "Mackenzie River". Britannica. Retrieved 31 October 2006.
  8. ^ This Wikipedia article incorporates CC-BY-4.0 licensed text from: "Yetimarala". Queensland Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander languages map. State Library of Queensland. Retrieved 30 January 2020.
  9. ^ This Wikipedia article incorporates CC-BY-4.0 licensed text from: "Garingbal". Queensland Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander languages map. State Library of Queensland. Retrieved 5 February 2020.
  10. ^ "Ludwig Leichhardt". David Reilly. Retrieved 18 March 2010.

External links

Rivers of Queensland
Categories