Traditional Owners

The original inhabitants of the Roper Gulf Regional Council area were various Aboriginal tribes.

Settlement history

Traditionally, indigenous people lived in the area, and continue to do so, mainly in small communities. European settlement dates primarily from 1872 when the Overland Telegraph Line was built, although the area was first explored in 1845. Land used mainly for pastoral purposes, particularly cattle grazing. Some growth took place during the late 1800s. Growth resumed from the 1920s, aided by the establishment of mining near Barunga in 1913 and the opening of the Adelaide-Darwin railway line in 1926, with a station at Mataranka. The population increased from the 1990s, rising from about 5,000 in 1991 to about 7,700 in 2011.

Land use

The Roper Gulf Regional Council area is predominantly rural, with numerous small townships, indigenous communities and outstations. The majority of the population are Aboriginal. The main townships and communities are Barunga, Beswick, Borroloola, Bulman, Daly Waters, Jilkminggan, Larrimah, Manyallaluk, Mataranka, Minyerri, Ngukurr, Numbulwar and Robinson River. Rural land is used mainly for cattle grazing, with mining and tourism also being important industries. The Council area also includes several small islands. The Council area encompasses a total land area of nearly 186,000 square kilometres.

Transport

The Council area is served by the Stuart Highway.

Major features

• Major features of the Council area include Barranyi (North Island) National Park,
• Elsey National Park (including Mataranka Thermal Pool and Bitter Springs),
• Nitmiluk National Park (including Leliyn (Edith Falls) and Katherine Gorge),
• part of Kakadu National Park,
• Limmen National Park,
• Limmen Bight Marine Park,
• Bulwaddy Conservation Reserve,
• Caranbirini Conservation Reserve,
• Pungalina-Seven Emu Sanctuary,
• Wongalara Wildlife Sanctuary,
• Larrimah Museum,
• Never Never Museum,
• Stockyard Gallery,
• McArthur River Mine,
• The Roper River,
• and various beaches,
• islands,
• lodges and camps.

Included areas

Notes

Much of this area is Aboriginal freehold land held by the Northern Land Council.