A crocodile resting on the banks of the Adelaide River

Adelaide River
Both a small township on the Stuart Highway and a river noted for its large population of saltwater crocodiles.
Adelaide River refers to two different locations: the township and the river itself.

The township of Adelaide River lies on the Stuart Highway 201 km northwest of Katherine and 114 km south of Darwin and has a population of 159. It is located near the headwaters of the Adelaide River.

The town of Adelaide River grew up as a convenient stopover point between Katherine and Darwin. Both the Stuart Highway and the North Australia Railway run through the tiny settlement, although the railway hasn't operated since 1976.

It was initially settled by the telegraph workers who arrived in the area to construct the Overland Telegraph Line. The discovery of gold at Pine Creek had a major impact on the tiny settlement. Miners travelled by boat to Southport on the Blackmore River and then, as best they could, made their way cross-country to the diggings. Adelaide River, being about halfway between Southport and Pine Creek, became a popular camping spot and so, in 1873, an enterprising man named Dougherty opened up an eating place. He constructed a rough building out of logs and bark. A short time later H. S. Finlay opened the settlement's first hotel which he called the QCE Hotel meaning 'Quiet, Comfort and Ease'. In 1879 a police camp was built at the river crossing.

In 1886 a contract was signed to build a railway between Palmerston (Darwin) and the goldfields at Pine Creek. It was planned to use 'coolie labour' with Indians doing the earthworks and Chinese laying the tracks. By April 1888 the railway had reached Adelaide River. The building of the bridge across the river was a major enterprise and, as one contemporary report observes, the men who built the bridge 'were a tough crowd, but they were good men, and the firm cast a tolerant eye on their little lapses, which mostly occurred once a fortnight and directly after pay days, and for a few day there was no lack of entertainment to any who were not too fastidious in their tastes for amusement.'

The bridge (the old railway bridge can be seen to the west of the Stuart Highway road bridge) and the railway station (which is now a museum and can be inspected - it is just south west of the town. Turn off before the place which advertises didgeridoos for sale) were completed in 1888-89.

The town came to prominence during World War II when it became a major military headquarters. It enjoyed a relatively sheltered location and thus, when the Japanese began bombing Darwin, many of the northern operations were moved to Adelaide River. It was used as a f
arm area producing fruit and vegetables for the troops further to the north and it became a weekend retreat for service personnel from Darwin.

After the war Adelaide River declined in importance. By 1958 the train through the town was running once a week and stopping for only 10 minutes. The township moved further north. Agricultural experiments in the area failed. The railway closed down in 1976 and it wasn't until 1988, with the help of the National Trust, that the station building was reopened as a museum.

Adelaide River also refers to the river itself which flows north and reaches the Timor Sea approximately 50 km northeast of Darwin. The river was explored by John McDouall Stuart in 1862, became the site of early settlements at Escape Cliffs and Port Daly, and in recent times was the location for the CSIRO's abortive experiment in rice growing at Humpty Doo.

The Adelaide River was first discovered by John Lort Stokes and L.R. Fitzmaurice when the HMS Beagle surveyed the coast of the Northern Territory in 1839. They named the river in honour of Queen Adelaide, then the dowager Queen of England and widow of King William IV. Later the river became navigable for 130 km from the sea but it was prone to extreme changes in level due to the wet and dry seasons.

The richness of the soils on the river's floodplain resulted in the establishment of irrigated agriculture in 1881 when attempts were made to grow a variety of crops including coffee, rubber and sugar. The distance, inhospitable terrain, and difficult climatic conditions led to the area being abandoned by 1886. Subsequent attempts to harness the river continued throughout the twentieth century but it wasn't until 1954 that a serious attempt to grow rice at Humpty Doo was made. It failed in a dramatic way.

Things to see:  

Adelaide River War Cemetery
Adelaide River is the site of the only Australian war cemetery on Australian soil. There are 432 servicemen and 63 civilians, all of whom died as a result of Japanese bombing raids, buried in the cemetery. The cemetery which is kept with great respect and dignity can be reached by a road which is clearly signposted and runs along the northeast bank of the river.

Adelaide River Railway Bridge and Railway Station
The bridge (the old railway bridge can be seen to the west of the Stuart Highway road bridge) and the railway station (which is now a museum and can be inspected - it is just south west of the town. Turn off before the place which advertises didgeridoos for sale) were completed in 1888-89.

Adelaide River Tours
Today the river offers one of the best cruises in the Territory. At a point where the Arnhem Highway crosses the river the Adelaide River Queen tours do a brisk trade. The 'gimmick' is that the crew feed the crocodiles along the river. The crocodiles have become used to this free feed and will actually swim out to the boat. The crocs jump (they have been known to lift themselves right out of the water) for pieces of meat which are lowered on rods from the side of the boat.

The muddy Adelaide River is a typical tidal river and crocodiles from babies to a real giant of a creature which has been named Marrakai abound on its muddy shores. As well it is common to see buffalos, jabirus, sea eagles, kites, snakes and a variety of other wildlife during the tour. Thus it is as good as any of the river tours offered within nearby Kakadu National Park.

Community Events
For information about local events (usually held at the showground), such as the Adelaide River Show and Country Music Talent Quest in June and the Adelaide River Races, go to www.arss.org.au

	Hotels
	Adelaide River Inn Stuart Hwy Adelaide River NT 0846 Telephone: (08) 8976 7047 Facsimile: (08) 8976 7181 Rating: *
	Caravan Parks
	Adelaide River Show Society Caravan Park Dorat Rd Adelaide River NT 0846 Telephone: (08) 8976 7041 or (08) 8976 7032 Facsimile: (08) 8976 7065
	Shady River Caravan Park War Memorial Dve off Stuart Hwy Adelaide River NT 0846 Telephone: (08) 8976 7047
	Restaurants
	Adelaide River Inn Stuart Hwy Adelaide River NT 0846 Telephone: (08) 8976 7074 Facsimile: (08) 8976 7181