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25-902: The Gascoyne River is a river in the Gascoyne region of Western Australia . At 865 kilometres (537 mi), it is the longest river in Western Australia. The Gascoyne River comprises three branches in its upper reaches. Draining the Collier Range , the river rises as the Gascoyne River (North Branch) on Three Rivers Station near the Great Northern Highway , 100 kilometres (62 mi) northeast of Peak Hill and flows for approximately 125 kilometres (78 mi). The Gascoyne River (Middle Branch) rises west of Beyondie Lakes, east of Kumarina and east of

50-868: A Lord Commissioner of the Admiralty. Captain Gascoyne was a committee member of the London-based Western Australian Missionary Society and a member of the London Association for the Protection of the Interests of the Colony . In 1858 Francis Gregory explored the region and subsequently publicized it as highly suitable to pastoralism . Settlement began in the 1860s, and the town of Carnarvon

75-616: A major industry with prawn, scallop, crab and wet line fishing operations based in Carnarvon and Exmouth. In the mining sector, salt and gypsum are mined at Lake MacLeod , north of Carnarvon. Tourism is an important industry, due to the warm dry climate and the long coastline, which includes the Ningaloo Reef and the Shark Bay World Heritage Site . The pastoral industry was historically important but

100-533: A moderate arid tropical, climate. It is generally warm all year round, with mean maximum daily temperatures ranging from 22 °C (72 °F) in July to 35 °C (95 °F) in January. The region receives about 320 days of sunshine per year. Annual rainfall is low and variable, averaging about 200 mm (8 in), most of which occurs as a result of cyclonic activity. Because of the semi-arid climate, most of

125-612: A result. The most severe flooding of the Gascoyne River occurred in December 2010 . Triggered by record-breaking rainfall, amounting to over 6,000 percent of the monthly mean, 313.6 millimetres (12.35 in) and 5 millimetres (0.20 in) respectively, in just four days, the floods caused widespread damage in the region. The water reached record levels at three stations along the river, cresting at 15.53 metres (51 ft) near Fishy Pool. Evacuation orders were issued for several towns affected by rising waters. The most substantial impact

150-735: Is 226 millimetres (8.90 in) with the rainiest months (and the most reliable rainfall) being between May and July as the northern edges of winter cold fronts brush the region. Occasional tropical cyclones affect Carnarvon during the summer months bringing heavy rain and strong winds. Apart from this erratic source of rainfall summers are normally dry. Temperatures range from an average maximum of 33 °C (91 °F) in February to 22 °C (72 °F) in July. Average minimums are 23 °C (73 °F) and 11 °C (52 °F) respectively. On 18 February 2024, Carnarvon recorded its highest ever temperature of 49.9 °C (121.8 °F). The town

175-546: Is a coastal town situated approximately 900 kilometres (560 mi) north of Perth , in Western Australia. It lies at the mouth of the Gascoyne River on the Indian Ocean . The popular Shark Bay world heritage area lies to the south of the town and the Ningaloo Reef and the popular tourist town of Exmouth lie to the north. Mungullah Aboriginal Community was formerly in the town however it has moved east of

200-480: Is no longer a major contributor to the economy. It represents the region's main land use: in 1994 84% of the Gascoyne's land area was covered by pastoral leases . Before being settled by Europeans, the Gascoyne had been home to Indigenous Australians for thousands of years. The first known European to land in the region was Dirk Hartog in 1616; other early visitors include Willem Jansz , William Dampier , Nicolas Baudin , and Phillip King . In September 1834

225-466: Is said to be an "upside-down river", because it flows for about 120 days of the year and below the dry river bed for the remainder of the year. It is, in effect, a huge water storage system with the river aquifer lying below the desert sands. The Gascoyne flows through sparsely vegetated countryside which is used mainly for gold mining, and sheep and cattle grazing. It includes many permanent pools that are valuable to both stock and native species. Some of

250-637: The 1960s, NASA set up a tracking station nearby to support the Gemini and Apollo space programs. The tracking station was closed in the mid-1970s. Only the foundations of the historical site remain. The site is adjacent to the OTC Satellite Earth Station Carnarvon . On 20 May 1988, the bulk carrier Korean Star ran aground in bad weather near Cape Cuvier, within the port limits of Carnarvon. Around 600 tonnes (590 long tons; 660 short tons) of fuel oil were spilled into

275-508: The Carnarvon area typically associate as being Yamatji , traditionally speaking the Wajarri language . The town was founded in 1883, initially as a port and supply centre for the surrounding region, and is the administrative centre for the Shire of Carnarvon . The town site was officially gazetted on 4 June 1891, named after Henry Herbert, 4th Earl of Carnarvon , a past Secretary of State for

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300-490: The Colonies . The carnarvon Jetty was built in the late 1890s and had reached its maximum length in 1904. In 2021, it was destroyed by Cyclone Seroja . Carnarvon has had three tramways. It was 2 miles 5 chains (3.3 km) long. Due to the heavy loads of wool being carried on what was a very light railway, it was decided to convert the tramway to 3 feet 6 inches (1,070 mm) gauge in 1908–09. This tramway

325-599: The Gascoyne River and caused the most severe flooding since 2010. Gascoyne (Western Australia) The Gascoyne has the lowest population of any region of Western Australia, with about 9,277 people. The majority of residents are non-Aboriginal people born in Australia (74%). Just over half live in Carnarvon (4,426) where Aboriginal residents account for 18% of the population. Other centres are Exmouth , Denham , Gascoyne Junction and Coral Bay . The Gascoyne has

350-479: The Gascoyne and Lyons together provide a catchment area of 68,326 square kilometres (26,381 sq mi) that lies entirely to the east of the Kennedy Ranges and extends some 480 kilometres (298 mi) inland. The river reaches its mouth as it flows into Shark Bay and the Indian Ocean at Carnarvon . The river descends 514 metres (1,686 ft) over its 865-kilometre (537 mi) course . It

375-406: The Gascoyne is covered in scrub, primarily spinifex and mulga , with very little tree cover. Horticulture is the major industry of the Gascoyne region. Bananas, tomatoes, grapefruit, mangoes, table grapes and a range of vegetable products are grown along the Gascoyne River . Climatic advantages enable the growers to meet out-of-season demand both locally and in export markets. Fishing is also

400-607: The Great Northern Highway and flows for approximately 15 kilometres (9.3 mi). The Gascoyne River (South Branch) rises near the Doolgunna homestead and flows for approximately 15 kilometres (9.3 mi). The Gascoyne flows generally west by south-west and is joined by 36 tributaries , including the Lyons River , Landor River , Thomas River , and numerous other creeks and gullies. The two main rivers,

425-547: The main pools located along the river include Tibbingoona Pool, Mutherbokin Pool and Mibbley Pool. The extensive catchment of the Gascoyne River means that it flows through the country of a number of Aboriginal peoples, the principal ones being the Baiyungu , Yinggarda , Thudgari, Malgana and Wajarri . The first Europeans to see the river, on 4 March 1839, were a party led by the explorer Lieutenant George Grey , who named

450-427: The ocean. Damage was limited to 10 km (6 mi) of remote beaches and coastline. The ship was not salvaged and left grounded; however, very little of the wreck remains to be seen. Main economic activities of the Gascoyne region include: Radio Australia had a shortwave relay station (built during the 1970s) that used to relay programming to Europe, South Asia and Southeast Asia. There are five schools in

475-481: The presence of pearl shell and guano were noted by Thomas Hunt of the schooner Monkey , while searching for the wreck of the barque Mercury . Shark Bay became the site of Australia 's first pearling industry when production of mother-of-pearl began in January 1850. In 1839, George Grey explored the area and named the Gascoyne River after Captain John Gascoyne RN, son of Bamber Gascoyne ,

500-716: The river after a friend, Captain John Gascoyne RN , son of Bamber Gascoyne , a Lord Commissioner of the Admiralty. Captain Gascoyne was a committee member of the London-based Western Australian Missionary Society and a member of the London Association for the Protection of the Interests of the Colony. From mid 1909 to early 1913, the area had three dry years, with the Gascoyne River not running for any of that time, and Carnarvon had water supply problems as

525-538: The town. Inland, Carnarvon has strong links with the town of Gascoyne Junction and the Burringurrah Community . At the 2021 census , Carnarvon had a population of 4,879. The Inggarda people are the traditional owners of the region around Carnarvon. Before European settlement the place now called Carnarvon, located at the mouth of the Gascoyne River , was known as Kuwinywardu which means "neck of water". Indigenous Australians associating with

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550-565: The town; one Catholic, three Western Australia Department of Education schools and one independent. These are St Mary's Star of the Sea Catholic School , which was built in 1906, Carnarvon Community College (formerly Carnarvon Primary School, East Carnarvon Primary School, and Carnarvon Senior High School), Carnarvon School of the Air and Carnarvon Christian School. Carnarvon has a warm arid climate ( BWh ). Average yearly rainfall

575-436: Was felt in Carnarvon where entire homes were washed away. Following the disaster, emergency supplies and funds were distributed to affected residents to aid in restoring their livelihoods. Though no people died, an estimated two thousand head of cattle perished, and damage was estimated at A$ 100 million. The size of the flood, and the region it affected, created widespread problems. In March 2015, Cyclone Olwyn affected

600-405: Was gazetted in 1883. By 1880 the area was home to approximately 20,000 sheep on a number of sheep stations in the area. In 2021, 4 year old girl Cleo Smith was abducted and later found in Carnarvon . 22°S 115°E  /  22°S 115°E  / -22; 115 Carnarvon, Western Australia Carnarvon ( / k ər ˈ n ɑːr v ə n / kər- NAR -vən )

625-481: Was worked with a steam locomotive. The tramway ceased operation in December 1965. The Carnarvon Light Railway Association operated trains along restored tracks on the jetty; however, due to unsafe conditions the jetty was closed to the public. In 2021 it was destroyed by Cyclone Seroja. From 1964 to 1965, 12 sounding rockets were launched from Carnarvon to a maximum altitude of 120 km (75 mi). During

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