Pormpuraaw

History

Pormpuraaw (Porrm-puur-ow) was previously known as Edward River Mission and is situated on the west coast of Cape York Peninsula between the Chapman River and Mungkan Creek. The community is home to two groups of Aboriginal Australian people, the Thaayorre (Thie-Orr) and the Wik-Mungkan peoples, and includes 16 outstations. European settlement on Cape York began with the establishment of Somerset in 1865. The settlement was formed at the tip of Cape York Peninsula after a recommendation from the Queensland Governor Sir George Bowen that it would be a favourable location for a harbour of refuge and a well-positioned international trading port. The Jardine brothers had several skirmishes with Aboriginal people on their journey to Cape York that culminated in what the Jardine brothers named the "Battle of the Mitchell". In 1876, Robert Sefton found gold while prospecting at the Coen River. His return to Cooktown with 140 ounces in 1878 prompted a subsequent gold rush in Coen. The town of Normanton was established by 1868, and a Native Police detachment was stationed there shortly afterwards. Native Police camps were established at Highbury in 1885 and in Coen in 1888, which helped European settlement advance further into Cape York. In 1874, the Mitchell River was considered as a potential location for a port to service the Palmer River Goldfields. The river was surveyed again in 1886, with a view to establishing a town to service the recently formed pastoral stations. However, neither of these surveys reportedly amounted to anything. In 1896, it was argued that, as the land from Albatross Bay down to the Gilbert River was not needed for European settlement, there was no need to establish a mission in the area. In 1900, the Church of England created the Diocese of…

Most-observed species

• Whistling Kite

  Haliastur sphenurus (Vieillot, 1818) · Aves
  9
• Rufous-banded Honeyeater

  Conopophila albogularis (Gould, 1843) · Aves
  7
• Australian Pelican

  Pelecanus conspicillatus Temminck, 1824 · Aves
  7
• Pied Heron

  Egretta picata (Gould, 1845) · Aves
  7
• Torresian Crow

  Corvus orru Bonaparte, 1850 · Aves
  6
• Rainbow Bee-eater

  Merops ornatus Latham, 1801 · Aves
  5
• Red-winged Parrot

  Aprosmictus erythropterus (Gmelin, 1788) · Aves
  5
• Little Corella

  Cacatua sanguinea Gould, 1843 · Aves
  5