- location below Zig Zag Source Great Dividing Range Mouth elevation 0 | - location near Ayton Country Australia Mouths Coral Sea, Pacific Ocean | |
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The Bloomfield River is a river located in the Wet Tropics of Far North Queensland, Australia, noted for its Bloomfield River cod fish species, found only in the river.
Contents
- Map of Bloomfield River Banner Yearie Queensland Australia
- Course and features
- Etymology
- Fishery controls and environmental issues
- References
Map of Bloomfield River (Banner Yearie), Queensland, Australia
Course and features
The river rises in the Great Dividing Range below Zig Zag and southeast of Wujal Wujal. The river flows generally east by north before reaching its mouth and emptying into Weary Bay in the Coral Sea near the settlement of Ayton, north of Daintree. The river enters the Coral Sea north of Cape Tribulation. The river estuary is in near pristine conditions.
In 2014 the Australian and Queensland governments completed a A$21 million bridge across the river, called the Bobby and Jacky Ball Bloomfield River Bridge. The bridge was named after two respected elders, brother Bobby and Jacky Ball. The land where the bridge was constructed and south to Degarra is their traditional country. The Ball brothers are the eldest remaining sons of their family. During the construction of the bridge, they would visit the site daily. They walk from the Wujal Wujal Shire to Degarra each day to visit a river fishing spot.
Etymology
The river was originally named Blomfield's Rivulet by Phillip Parker King on 26 June 1818.
Fishery controls and environmental issues
It is prohibited to catch the Bloomfield river cod in Queensland.
The controversial Bloomfield Track which connects Cape Tribulation with Cooktown crosses the Bloomfield River. This crossing was closed in February 2011 by the Cairns Regional Council after flooding destroyed the causeway. A passenger-only ferry service was in place until a four-wheel drive only temporary crossing opened in May 2011. Construction of an all weather bridge began in October 2013 and was completed April 2014. A bridge over Woobada creek was completed late 2014. Douglas Shire Council maintains the Bloomfield Track.