Border Rivers facts for kids
The Border Rivers are a group of Australian rivers. They are found near the border between New South Wales (NSW) and Queensland (QLD). This area is also known as the Border Rivers region.
These rivers start in the New England Tablelands. They flow down the western side of the Great Dividing Range. Together, they help form the beginning of the Darling River. The Darling River is a big part of the Murray-Darling basin. The Border Rivers region stretches from Stanthorpe in Queensland to Guyra and Uralla in New South Wales. It goes west to Mungindi in NSW. The whole area these rivers drain is about 45,675 square kilometres.
The Border Rivers flow through lands that were once home to the Kamilaroi and Bigambul people. These are Aboriginal groups. Places like the Morella Watercourse, Boobera Lagoon, and Pungbougal Lagoon are very important to Aboriginal culture. They are on the Macintyre River floodplain. These spots are special because they are some of the few places with water all year round in the northern Murray-Darling basin. This means they are a safe place for animals during dry times. Sundown National Park is also important for nature. It has many rare animals and plants. It also has permanent waterholes where many waterbirds and water creatures live.
Around 2012, about 50,000 people lived in this area. Most of the land, about 90%, is used for farming. Farmers mostly raise animals or grow crops without irrigation. In the western plains, between Goondiwindi and Mungindi, farmers use irrigation to grow cotton.
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Rivers of the Border Region
For about 450 to 470 kilometres, the Border Rivers form the actual border between New South Wales and Queensland. This part of the border runs from Tenterfield in the east to Mungindi in the west. It can be a bit confusing because some rivers have the same name in both states!
Rivers in Queensland
Here are some of the main rivers in Queensland that are part of the Border Rivers group:
- Severn River (Queensland): This river drains the Stanthorpe area and flows into New South Wales.
- Pike Creek: This river includes Glenlyon Dam and also flows into New South Wales.
- Macintyre Brook: This river drains the Inglewood area and flows into New South Wales near Yelarbon.
- Weir River: This river drains the Southern Downs area and flows into New South Wales near Mungindi.
Rivers in New South Wales
These rivers are either on the border with Queensland or are fully inside New South Wales, but still part of the Border Rivers group:
- Mole River: This river drains the Bonshaw area.
- Dumaresq River: This river gets water from the Severn River (Queensland), Pike Creek, and the Mole River. It forms part of the border.
- Severn River (New South Wales): This river drains the Glen Innes area and includes the Pindari Dam.
- Macintyre River: This river is formed when the Dumaresq River and Macintyre Brook join. The Macintyre River flows in both New South Wales and Queensland at different points.
In New South Wales, both the Macintyre and Weir rivers eventually flow into the Barwon River. The Barwon River is a major river that joins the Darling River in the Murray-Darling basin.
The Dumaresq River forms the border between Queensland and New South Wales, generally south-east of Bonshaw and Boggabilla. The Macintyre River forms the border west of Boggabilla all the way to Mungindi.
Towns and Life in the Region
The main activity in the Border Rivers region is farming. Crops are grown where the land is good for it, and the rest of the area is used for grazing animals. Because the rivers can be small and their flow can change a lot, there isn't much large-scale irrigation here.
The biggest town in the western part of the Border Rivers region is Goondiwindi. Here, the Newell Highway crosses the Macintyre River right at the state border. On the eastern side of the Border Rivers Basin, you'll find towns like Stanthorpe in Queensland and Tenterfield and Glen Innes in New South Wales. These towns are along the New England Highway. Inverell is to the west, on the edge of the New England Tablelands.
The central part of the Border Rivers region doesn't have many people. There are no big towns, major roads, or large industries other than farming. Some of the smaller towns in this area include Texas, Inglewood, Ashford, Yetman, Bonshaw, and Emmaville.
