Place Names Register Extract

Gregory's Tree Historical Reserve

Extract date: 30/10/2026

Name Gregory's Tree Historical Reserve
Type Designation Reserve
Place Id 22422979
Place Type Administrative Area
Status Assigned
Date Registered 20 June 1963
Location (Datum GDA94)  
Latitude: -15° 33' S (Decimal degrees -15.56598)
Longitude: 130° 22' E (Decimal degrees 130.36789)
Locality / Suburb  
  Gregory
Local Government Area  
  Victoria-Daly Shire Council
History/Origin Gregory's Tree is a mature boab (Adansonia gregorii) situated on the banks of the Victoria River, approximately 15 kilometres west of Timber Creek. The site served as the 'entrenchment camp' (or main depot) for the North Australian Expedition (1855-56), led by explorer Augustus Charles Gregory (1819-1905). The expedition party occupied this site for eight months while exploring the river's upper reaches and the Northern Territory's interior.

The tree is historically significant as a 'living monument', bearing clear inscriptions carved into its trunk that record the dates of the expedition's arrival (2 July 1855) and departure (21 July 1856). These markings served as a primary record of European presence and a navigational benchmark in the mid nineteenth century.

The tree is also a registered Aboriginal sacred site known as Ngalibinggag (pronounced Nali-la-bing-gag). For the Traditional Owners, the tree and its riparian environment are part of a deep cultural landscape that predates European arrival.

The reserve area surrounding the tree was initially declared Gregory's Tree National Park in 1963, re-declared in 1978, and the tree was formally listed on the Northern Territory Heritage Register in 1995. In 2009, the reserve was re-declared as the Gregory's Tree Historical Reserve.

Register & Gazettal information

Date Gazettal Comment
20/06/1963 Cth Gaz No 55 Proclamation of Gregory's Tree National Park and Reserve No. 1103.
27/11/1963 NTG G48 Gregory's Tree National Park and Reserve No. 1,103.
30/06/1978 NTG G26A Revocation and declaration of Gregory's Tree National Park.
23/09/2009 NTG G38 Re-declaration of reserve. NT Portion 554. Gregory's Tree Historical Reserve.

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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