| Adelaide | |
|---|---|
 The Adelaide River | |
  | |
| Etymology | Queen Adelaide |
| Location | |
| Country | Australia |
| Territory | Northern Territory |
| LGA | Coomalie,Litchfield |
| Townships | Adelaide River |
| Physical characteristics | |
| Source | |
| • elevation | 149 m (489 ft) |
| Mouth | Adam Bay |
• location | Clarence Strait |
• coordinates | 12°13′S131°14′E / 12.217°S 131.233°E /-12.217; 131.233 |
• elevation | 0 m (0 ft) |
| Length | 238 km (148 mi) |
| Basin size | 7,640 km2 (2,950 sq mi) |
| Discharge | |
| • average | 1,980 m3/s (70,000 cu ft/s) |
| Basin features | |
| National park | Litchfield National Park |
| [1][2] | |
TheAdelaide River is ariver in theNorthern Territory ofAustralia.
The river rises in theLitchfield National Park and flows generally northwards toClarence Strait, joined by eighttributaries including the west branch of the Adelaide River, Coomalie Creek, Margaret River and Marrakai Creek, before discharging into itsmouth inAdam Bay in the Clarence Strait. The river descends 151 metres (495 ft) over its 238-kilometre (148 mi)course.[1] The catchment area of the river is 7,640 square kilometres (2,950 sq mi).[2]
The Adelaide River is crossed by both theStuart Highway, adjacent to the township ofAdelaide River, and theArnhem Highway nearHumpty Doo.
The Adelaide River is well known for its high concentration ofsaltwater crocodiles, along with other wildlife includingwhite-bellied sea eagles,whistling kites,freshwater crocodiles,bull sharks andblack flying-fox. Its lower reaches form part of theAdelaide and Mary River Floodplains Important Bird Area. Waters of this river are also home to endangered speartooth shark and critically endangered largetooth sawfish. The river also contains a notable introduced population ofSiamese fighting fish.[3]
Indigenous Australians including theWarray andKungarakan owned the lands among the river for millennia.
Lieutenant Fitzmaurice, under the command ofJohn Lort Stokes, sighted the river on a boating expedition. The expedition was part of the Admiralty surveying shipHMSBeagle's voyage in 1839, and the river was named in honour ofQueen Adelaide.[4]
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