Place Names Register Extract
Arnhem Land
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Print Extract | Search Again| Name | Arnhem Land |
|---|---|
| Type Designation | Plateau |
| Place Id | 22145 |
| Place Type | Feature |
| Status | Recorded |
| Date Registered | |
| Location (Datum GDA94) | |
| Latitude: -13° 13' S (Decimal degrees -13.2333) | |
| Longitude: 135° 06' E (Decimal degrees 135.1) | |
| View Map | View in NT Atlas | View in Google Earth | |
| Locality / Suburb | |
| East Arnhem | |
| Local Government Area | |
| East Arnhem Shire Council | |
| History/Origin | Although Arnhem Land was shown on early Dutch maps (Tome 1753) of "Terres Australes" as "Terre d Arnhem" it was not until 1936 that Arnhem Land as the name for the Aboriginal Reserve declared in 1931 (Comm. Gaz 16/4/1931) appeared on modern maps. Arnhem Land derives its name from Cape Arnhem. In April 1644, Tasman named Arnhem Land after the Dutch vessel "Arnhem" which explored the area in 1623. Cape Arnhem, derives its name from one of the two Dutch ships "Pera" and "Arnhem" which in April 1623 proceeded in company along the south coast of New Guinea. During this part of the journey, Meliszoon, the skipper of the "Arnhem", and some of his men lost their lives as a result of an attack by natives while they were on land. The second mate of the "Pera", William Joosten van Colster, a young man, was then appointed skipper. The two ships separated in the southeast part of the Gulf of Carpentaria on 27 April 1623. Van Colster continued westwards along the coast naming the northeastern extremity of Arnhem Land, the Wessel Islands and possibly Groote Eylandt. |
Register & Gazettal information
| Date | Gazettal | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| (None Found) |