Alice River (Far North Queensland) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Alice |
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 Location of Alice River mouth in Queensland
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| Country | Australia |
| State | Queensland |
| Region | Far North Queensland |
| Physical characteristics | |
| Main source | Great Dividing Range Dixie 132 m (433 ft) 15°21′23″S 143°29′27″E / 15.35639°S 143.49083°E |
| River mouth | confluence with the Mitchell River Kowanyama 12 m (39 ft) 15°21′29″S 141°58′32″E / 15.35806°S 141.97556°E |
| Length | 332 km (206 mi) |
| Basin features | |
| River system | Mitchell River |
| Basin size | 12,943 km2 (4,997 sq mi) |
| Tributaries |
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The Alice River is a river found in Far North Queensland, Australia. It flows across the Cape York Peninsula, which is a large piece of land sticking out into the ocean.
This river is an important part of the natural landscape in this part of Queensland. It helps support many different plants and animals.
Where Does the Alice River Start and Go?
The Alice River begins high up in the Great Dividing Range. This is a long chain of mountains in Australia. From there, the river flows west through valleys and flat areas.
Sometimes, the river splits into many smaller streams that weave together. This is called "braided channels." The river then turns northwest. It forms the northern edge of the Mitchell-Alice Rivers National Park.
Finally, the Alice River flows into the Mitchell River. This is where the Alice River's journey ends. Along its path, the Alice River is joined by twelve smaller streams. These smaller streams are called tributaries.
The river travels about 332-kilometre (206 mi) (206 miles) in total. From its start to its end, it drops about 119 metres (390 ft) (390 feet) in height.
What is the River's Catchment Area Like?
The area of land that collects rainwater for the Alice River is called its catchment area. This area covers about 12,943 square kilometres (4,997 sq mi). That's a huge space!
The Alice River's catchment is part of an even bigger area. This larger area belongs to the Mitchell River. The Mitchell River's total catchment is about 71,670 square kilometres (27,672 sq mi).
The land around the Alice River is mostly a type of grassland called savannah. Here, you'll find tall speargrass. There are also many trees like Stringybark, Bloodwoods, and Moreton Bay Ash.
Right along the river banks, there are open groups of paperbark trees. You can also find thick rainforests there. In the swamps and lagoons that fill up during the wet season, there are Melaleuca trees. You might also see Freshwater Mangrove and water lilies floating in the water.
How Did the Alice River Get Its Name?
The Alice River was named around the year 1886. A man named Frank Johnston was the manager of a cattle station called Koolata. A "cattle station" is a very large farm where cattle are raised.
Frank Johnston named the river after his wife, whose name was Alice. This is a common way that places in Australia got their names.
