Larger text size icon Smaller text size icon

Place Names Register Extract

West Alligator River

If you know of any information about this place name which does not appear in this extract, please let the Place Names Committee know by completing a submission form.

Print Extract | Search Again

Name West Alligator River
Type Designation Stream
Place Id 19576
Place Type Feature
Status Recorded
Date Registered
Location (Datum GDA94)  
Latitude: -12° 13' S (Decimal degrees -12.2233)
Longitude: 132° 16' E (Decimal degrees 132.2812)
View Map | View in NT Atlas | View in Google Earth
Locality / Suburb  
  Kakadu
  Van Diemen Gulf
Local Government Area  
  West Arnhem Shire Council
History/Origin PP King on 8 May 1818 named "Alligator Rivers" due to the abundance of alligators in the river -
"alligators were as numerous as in other rivers, whence the name of Alligator Rivers were bestowed upon them."

On 10 May, King observed another opening to the west of the previous rivers and as it bore a similar appearance, he extended the name Alligator Rivers.

Arrowsmith's map of April 1st, 1846 in Stokes' journal has "West R" and "Alligator R" shown.

By 1873 when Ringwood drew his map of the OTLine and the Northern Territory, the 3 Alligator Rivers had individual names - West, South and East Alligators.

The Northern Territory salt water crocodiles were mistakenly known as alligators until recent times.

Register & Gazettal information

Date Gazettal Comment
  (None Found)  
Print Extract | Search Again