Gibraltar Creek

Gibraltar Creek, a perennial stream that is part of the Murrumbidgee catchment within the Murray-Darling basin, is located in the Australian Capital Territory, Australia.

This article is about the waterway located in the Australian Capital Territory. For the waterway of the same name located in New South Wales, see Delegate River.

Gibraltar Creek
Gibraltar Creek in the foreground, with Gibraltar Peak in the district of Paddys River.
Location
CountryAustralia
TerritoryAustralian Capital Territory
RegionSouth Eastern Highlands (IBRA), Capital Country
Physical characteristics
SourceBrindabella Ranges
 • locationBilly Billy Rocks in Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve
 • coordinates35°29′8.97″S 148°56′2.63″E
 • elevation1,420 m (4,660 ft)
Mouthconfluence with Paddys River
 • coordinates
35°26′30.55″S 148°58′57.1″E
 • elevation
647 m (2,123 ft)
Length13 km (8.1 mi)
Basin features
River systemMurrumbidgee River, Murray–Darling basin
FallsGibraltar Falls
[1]

There are several types of Greenhoods found along the creek's banks. Historical Aboriginal camp-sites have been also found on the creek banks.

Location and features

Gibraltar Creek rises on the eastern slopes of the Brindabella Ranges in the south-west of the Australian Capital Territory (ACT), below Billy Billy Rocks in Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve, within Namadgi National Park. The creek flows generally north-east before reaching its confluence with Paddys River, south-west of Tuggeranong Town Centre. The creek descends 774 metres (2,539 ft) over its 13 kilometres (8.1 mi) course.[1][2]

Gibraltar Falls are found on the Gibraltar Creek;[2] and Gibraltar Creek Woods Reserve are located on the creek's edge.[3]

Wildlife and vegetation

Vegetation found on the banks of the creek include threatened flora such as the Scarlet Greenhoods, Fisch's Greenhood, Faint Greenhoods, Nodding Greenhoods and Maroonhoods.[4] E. callianassa, Banksia and B. marginata have been found in the creek.[5]

In 1930, the Cotter River was stocked with New Zealand trout, which were expected to migrate up the tributaries including the creek.[6][7]

History

Historical Aboriginal camp-sites have been found on the creek banks.[8] In 1863, land abutting the creek was sold at auction.[9] During late 1933 and early 1934, the river flooded several times and made it difficult to cross the creek. A motion was made to Australia's Minister for the Interior to cement over the creek bed to make crossing during the flood more feasible.[10] By 1934, ramps had been added to assist in crossing the creek, replacing gates that had been placed there for cattle crossings.[11]

Bushwalkers organised walks alongside the creek in the 1950s.[12] In 1954, hikers got lost in the area and a search for them took place near the creek.[13] In 1957, a teenager was shot while hiking near the creek.[14]

References
  1. "Map of Gibraltar Creek, ACT". Bonzle.com. Retrieved 13 February 2013.
  2. "Gibraltar Falls". Visit Canberra. Archived from the original on 24 October 2012. Retrieved 26 October 2012.
  3. "Woods Reserve". Territory and Municipal Services. Government of the Australian Capital Territory. Archived from the original on 16 April 2012. Retrieved 26 October 2012.
  4. Fraser, Ian; Marsack, Peter (2011). A Bush Capital Year: A Natural History of the Canberra Region. CSIRO Publishing. pp. 54–56. ISBN 978-0-643-10224-8.
  5. IFB Common (1994). Oecophorine Genera of Australia I: The Wingia Group (Lepidoptera: Oecophoridae). CSIRO Publishing. p. 145. ISBN 978-0-643-10581-2.
  6. "Re-stocking streams". The Canberra Times. National Library of Australia. 20 September 1930. p. 6.
  7. "Angled Asked T[?] Protect Breeding Areas". The Canberra Times. National Library of Australia. 30 September 1954. p. 6.
  8. Flood, Josephine (1999). The riches of ancient Australia: an indispensable guide for exploring prehistoric Australia. University of Queensland Press. p. 305. ISBN 978-0-7022-3083-7.
  9. "Important Country Investment". The Sydney Morning Herald. 5 August 1863. p. 6.
  10. "Advisory Council". The Canberra Times. National Library of Australia. 16 January 1934. p. 2.
  11. "Advisory Council Meeting". The Canberra Times. National Library of Australia. 17 July 1934. p. 4.
  12. "What people are doing". The Canberra Times. National Library of Australia. 15 December 1953. p. 4.
  13. "Fears Grow for Hikers Lost in the Blue Mountains". Australia. 22 April 1954. p. 1.
  14. "Hiking Youth Shot". The Sydney Morning Herald. 16 June 1957. p. 2.
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