Lake Bonney (Riverland)
Encyclopedia
Lake Bonney is a freshwater lake
located in the Riverland
region of South Australia
. The town of Barmera is located on its shores.
The lake was discovered by Europeans on 12 March 1838, when encountered by the overlanding
party of Joseph Hawdon
and Charles Bonney
, who were the first to drove livestock from New South Wales to Adelaide. Hawdon named the lake that day after Bonney. At that time it was a fine sheet of water, but was dried out and muddy three years later in 1841 when the police expedition led by Thomas O'Halloran
passed by on its way to rescue other overlanders at the Rufus River.
When Charles Sturt
passed by in 1844 on his expedition into the interior of Australia, he surveyed Lake Bonney for the first time, as well as the creek connecting it to the River Murray. James Collins Hawker, then residing at Moorundie, assisted Sturt’s surveyor Poole. In appreciation, on 2 September 1844 Sturt named the creek Hawkers Creek, but it was never officially adopted and is known as Chambers Creek.
Name duplication within South Australia for both the lake and its feeder creek sometimes causes confusion, because there is also Lake Bonney S.E (South Australia)
, and Chambers Creek in the Flinders Ranges.
Lake
A lake is a body of relatively still fresh or salt water of considerable size, localized in a basin, that is surrounded by land. Lakes are inland and not part of the ocean and therefore are distinct from lagoons, and are larger and deeper than ponds. Lakes can be contrasted with rivers or streams,...
located in the Riverland
Riverland
The Riverland, is a region of South Australia. It covers the area near the Murray River from where it flows into South Australia downstream to Blanchetown.The major town centres are Renmark, Berri, Loxton, Waikerie and Barmera...
region of South Australia
South Australia
South Australia is a state of Australia in the southern central part of the country. It covers some of the most arid parts of the continent; with a total land area of , it is the fourth largest of Australia's six states and two territories.South Australia shares borders with all of the mainland...
. The town of Barmera is located on its shores.
The lake was discovered by Europeans on 12 March 1838, when encountered by the overlanding
Overlanding
Overlanding is the self-reliant overland travel to remote destinations where the journey is the principal goal. Typically, but not exclusively, accommodated by mechanized off-road capable transport where the principal form of lodging is camping; often lasting for extended lengths of time and...
party of Joseph Hawdon
Joseph Hawdon
Joseph Hawdon was a pioneer settler and overlander of Australia and New Zealand.Hawdon was born at Wackerfield, Durham, England, the son of John Hawdon. At the suggestion of his brother elder brother John , he decided to travel to Australia, arriving in Sydney in November 1834...
and Charles Bonney
Charles Bonney
Charles Bonney was a pioneer and politician in Australia.-Early life:Bonney was the youngest son of the Rev. George Bonney, a fellow of Jesus College, Cambridge, and his wife Susanna, née Knight. He was born at Sandon, near Stafford, Staffordshire, England...
, who were the first to drove livestock from New South Wales to Adelaide. Hawdon named the lake that day after Bonney. At that time it was a fine sheet of water, but was dried out and muddy three years later in 1841 when the police expedition led by Thomas O'Halloran
Thomas Shuldham O'Halloran
Thomas Shuldham O'Halloran was the first Police Commissioner and first Police Magistrate of South Australia.O'Halloran was born in India, the second of eight sons of Major-General Sir Joseph O'Halloran, and a grandson of Irish surgeon Sylvester O%27Halloran.He entered the Royal Military College,...
passed by on its way to rescue other overlanders at the Rufus River.
When Charles Sturt
Charles Sturt
Captain Charles Napier Sturt was an English explorer of Australia, and part of the European Exploration of Australia. He led several expeditions into the interior of the continent, starting from both Sydney and later from Adelaide. His expeditions traced several of the westward-flowing rivers,...
passed by in 1844 on his expedition into the interior of Australia, he surveyed Lake Bonney for the first time, as well as the creek connecting it to the River Murray. James Collins Hawker, then residing at Moorundie, assisted Sturt’s surveyor Poole. In appreciation, on 2 September 1844 Sturt named the creek Hawkers Creek, but it was never officially adopted and is known as Chambers Creek.
Name duplication within South Australia for both the lake and its feeder creek sometimes causes confusion, because there is also Lake Bonney S.E (South Australia)
Lake Bonney S.E (South Australia)
Lake Bonney S.E is a coastal lake in the south east of South Australia. It is one of the largest freshwater lakes in Australia. The lake is located south east of Adelaide and south west of Millicent. The Canunda National Park lies adjacent to the lake shore. For over 60 years, large volumes of...
, and Chambers Creek in the Flinders Ranges.