Place Names Register Extract

Georgina River

Extract date: 26/08/2025

Name Georgina River
Type Designation Stream
Place Id 13085
Place Type Feature
Status Recorded
Date Registered
Location (Datum GDA94)  
Latitude: -20° 28' S (Decimal degrees -20.4833)
Longitude: 137° 46' E (Decimal degrees 137.7833)
Locality / Suburb  
  Costello
  Ranken
Local Government Area  
  Barkly Shire Council
History/Origin The stream what is today known as the Georgina River was originaly named (in its headwaters) the Herbert River by William Landsborough on Sat 21 December 1861 (according to Landsborough's journal).

Favenc in his 1908 "Explorers of Australia" writes " The Queensland authorities subsequently re-christened the stream with the singularly inappropriate name of Georgina."

It is believed the Queensland Government renamed the Herbert River around 1877.

The Herbert River was in honour of the first Premier of Queensland, whilst the Georgina is named after the daughter of Sir Arthur Kennedy, Governor of Queensland from 1877 to 1883.

Maps up until and including the 8/800 series of maps in 1930 show the Georgina head as the junction of the James and Herbert Rivers whilst maps after 1930 show the Georgina River flowing out of Queensland and back into Queensland.

Register & Gazettal information

Date Gazettal Comment
  (None Found)  

The Northern Territory Gazetteer is maintained by the Place Names Section,
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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