Place Names Register Extract

Robinson River

Extract date: 19/04/2024

Name Robinson River
Type Designation Stream
Place Id 18044
Place Type Feature
Status Recorded
Date Registered
Location (Datum GDA94)  
Latitude: -16° 01' S (Decimal degrees -16.0319)
Longitude: 137° 15' E (Decimal degrees 137.2656)
Locality / Suburb  
  Calvert
Local Government Area  
  Roper Gulf Shire Council
History/Origin Robinson River was named by Leichhardt on 16 September 1845.

Leichhardt in his journal writes "In acknowledgement of the liberal support which I received from J P Robinson Esq., in the outfit of my Expedition".

Joseph Phelps Robinson after whom the river is named was a philanthropist, banker and a Quaker.

Robinson River although named in 1845 does not appear regularly on maps until 1905, as the exact location of the river was not known.

Glen McLaren in his 1994 research has identified that the current Robinson River was named 'Seven Emu River' by Leichhardt. Leichhardt came across a flock of over 100 emus and were able to shoot seven emus with Leichhardt noting " this extraordinary success induced me to call this river the Seven Emu River".

McLaren also identified that the current Wearyan River is Leichhardt's Robinson River.

Register & Gazettal information

Date Gazettal Comment
  (None Found)  

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Department of Infrastructure, Planning and Logistics.
GPO Box 1680, Darwin NT 0801. Ph 08 8995 5333.
place.names@nt.gov.au

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