King George River facts for kids
Quick facts for kids King George |
|
|---|---|
King George Falls
|
|
 |
|
| Country | Australia |
| State | Western Australia |
| Region | Central and Northern Kimberley, Victoria Bonaparte (IBRA) |
| Local government area | Wyndham-East Kimberley |
| Physical characteristics | |
| Main source | Ashton Range Oombulgurri Aboriginal Reserve, Central Kimberley 212 m (696 ft) 14°37′24″S 127°11′59″E / 14.62333°S 127.19972°E |
| River mouth | Koolama Bay, Timor Sea east of Kalumburu, Northern Kimberley 0 m (0 ft) 13°57′44″S 127°19′43″E / 13.96222°S 127.32861°E |
| Length | 112 km (70 mi) |
| Basin features | |
| Tributaries |
|
| Waterfalls | King George Falls |
| National park | Drysdale River National Park |
The King George River is a special kind of river in the Kimberley region of Western Australia, Australia. It's a perennial river, which means it flows all year round, even during dry seasons.
About the King George River
Where is it?
The King George River starts in the west, near the Ashton Range. It then flows north through the Drysdale River National Park. This park is a protected area for nature. The river eventually reaches its end, called the river mouth, and empties into Koolama Bay and the Timor Sea. This spot is about 70 kilometres (43 mi) east of a town called Kalumburu.
The river travels about 112 kilometres (70 mi) from where it begins to where it meets the sea. Along its journey, the river drops about 216 metres (709 ft) in height.
King George Falls
One of the most amazing parts of the King George River is the King George Falls. This is a stunning dual-drop waterfall, meaning the water falls in two main sections. The falls are about 12 kilometres (7.5 mi) upriver from where the river meets the sea.
The height of the waterfall can be different depending on who measures it. Some say it's about 38–40 metres (125–131 ft) tall, while others claim it's much higher, around 80–100 metres (260–330 ft)!
The area around the falls is very popular with tourists. Many people like to see the falls from a boat. The waterfall is at its most powerful from late December to early May each year. This is when there's a lot of water. By September, the flow becomes much smaller.
You might have even seen the King George Falls before! They were shown in the 2008 movie Australia, directed by Baz Luhrmann.
How it got its name
The King George River was named in 1911. An explorer named Charles Conigrave was on an expedition in the area. He decided to name the river to honor King George V. King George V was the ruler of the United Kingdom at that time.
The original people who lived around this river are the traditional owners, the Miwa peoples.
