Place Names Register Extract

Edith River

Extract date: 04/06/2026

Name Edith River
Type Designation Stream
Place Id 12582
Place Type Feature
Status Recorded
Date Registered
Location (Datum GDA94)  
Latitude: -14° 15' S (Decimal degrees -14.261501)
Longitude: 131° 53' E (Decimal degrees 131.8842)
Locality / Suburb  
  Claravale
Local Government Area  
  Katherine Town Council
History/Origin The Edith River, together with other Rivers in the area, was named by William McMinn, during the construction of the OT Line (1871), after the wife of the SA Governor Sir James Fergusson, Lady Edith Christian Fergusson (nee Ramsay) (b.1839 -d.1871) daughter of Marquis of Dalhousie (after whom Dalhousie Springs are named).

SW Herbert in his "Reminiscences of life in the NT: 1870-1873" (unpublished) writes:
"These rivers were named by Mr W McMinn; .... whilst the Edith the smallest and most beautiful of these streams, was given the name of the much loved Lady Edith, wife of the Governor. On this river, just as it leaves the broken tableland is situated a highly picturesque waterfall and lake, named Edith reservoir, about ten acres in size."

Register & Gazettal information

Date Gazettal Comment
  (None Found)  

The Northern Territory Gazetteer is maintained by the Place Names Section,
Department of Lands, Planning and Environment.
GPO Box 1680, Darwin NT 0801. Ph 08 8995 5333.
place.names@nt.gov.au

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