Place Names Register Extract

Katherine

Extract date: 20/05/2024

Name Katherine
Type Designation Town
Place Id 14071
Place Type Feature
Status Recorded
Date Registered
Location (Datum GDA94)  
Latitude: -14° 28' S (Decimal degrees -14.46676)
Longitude: 132° 16' E (Decimal degrees 132.266768)
Locality / Suburb  
  Katherine
Local Government Area  
  Katherine Town Council
History/Origin The town of Katherine was named after the Katherine River which in turn was named after Catherine Chambers by John McDouall Stuart, when he crossed it some 30 miles east of the present town in 1862.
The Overland Telegraph Line crossing the River became the main habitation of the early years as well as the Springvale down stream, managed by Alfred Giles for Dr WJ Browne. This eventually became the link with the west.
Emungalan of some 40 lots became a temporary town until 1926 when the railway bridge across the Katherine River was constructed and the town of Katherine was gazetted on 1 July 1926 (CG 26) with later extensions on 1 December 1927 and 1951.
However, by way of proclamation made on 28 March 1967 this town ceased to exist and a new town of Katherine gazetted (CG 43 18/05/1967 - extract appearing in NTG 29 24/5/1967). There have been various extensions since then (1970 and 1978), and the town now encompasses over 3734 hectares.

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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