Address & Contact
Baines NT
Phone: 08 8973 8888
Email: N/A
Web: https://nt.gov.au/parks/find-a-park/judbarra-gregory-national-park
Gregory`s Tree Reserve marks the site of
Gregory`s
camp in 1855-56.
Gregory’s Tree Historical Reserve is an Aboriginal sacred site and registered
heritage site. The tree has historical and social significance as it is a living monument to the exploration of the North of Australia, in particular the North Australia Expedition led by
Gregory in 1855-56.
In 1855 the explorer A. C.
Gregory, who was financially backed by the Colonial Office to explore the area, sailed from Moreton Bay around the coast of Queensland and the Northern Territory and up the estuary of the
Victoria River.
Gregory`s boat was wrecked at the site of
Timber Creek. It is claimed that
Gregory named the site
Timber Creek after he had cut some timber to repair the hole in his vessel. The
boab tree marks the area of
Gregory`s "entrenchment camp" from October 1855 to July 1856 and still bears inscriptions noting the date of arrival and departure from the
camp.
On July 2, 1856
Gregory left an inscription on the tree, indicating where he left a letter in case the expedition team should get lost. Turning east, the party explored the Elsey, Roper and
Macarthur Rivers, then travelled back to
Brisbane by way of the Flinders, Burdekin, Fitzroy and Burnett Rivers. They reached
Brisbane on 16 December 1856.