Place Names Register Extract

Elizabeth River

Extract date: 10/06/2026

Name Elizabeth River
Type Designation Stream
Place Id 12629
Place Type Feature
Status Recorded
Date Registered
Location (Datum GDA94)  
Latitude: -12° 30' S (Decimal degrees -12.5093)
Longitude: 130° 55' E (Decimal degrees 130.9318)
Locality / Suburb  
  Archer
  Virginia
Local Government Area  
  Palmerston City Council
History/Origin George Goyder?s surveyors commenced the Section surveys of Darwin in early 1869. Records indicate they completed some of the Sections to Hundred of Ayers and Strangways to the south and north of a stream called "Elizabeth River", which flowed into the East Arm of Darwin Harbour.

The two Senior Surveyors at the time were George McLachlan and Gilbert McMinn. This was when the Elizabeth River name was first entered on survey plans (in May 1869). It is unknown whether Goyder approved the name himself, or whether it was one of the other surveyors, however, Frances Bay was named after Goyder?s wife, so it is likely that some of the wives of other surveyors also found their way onto survey records in this way.

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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