Mal Mal – A tale of the Mercurial River

The Burdekin landscape, with its variable topography has had a profound impact on local identity.

When the early settlers ventured north for the first time in search of pastures, fortune and opportunity, they crossed the Burdekin’s dry riverbed several times. Each time they overlooked and immediately disregarded the region, continuing their search for more hospitable and obvious grazing land. The traditional owners, The Bindal and Juru people, however, knew the land for what it was–a bountiful food bowl.

This early oversight of the river delta was due to the mercurial Burdekin in chameleon guise, displaying only one aspect of its striking seasonal extremes – dryness. A short time after, the settlers stumbled upon a wellspring just below the surface. From this accident the growth and prosperity of the farming and grazing industries began.

The Burdekin was one of Australia’s richest melting pots in the late 1880s, with even Melbourne paling in comparison. Stories of early interactions involve connection and discord alongside surprising alliances. Subsequent waves of migration brought burgeoning industries accompanied by the formation of major trade unions. Few know that the contribution of the Burdekin River Delta to the nation’s economy is only slightly surpassed by that of the more famous Murray-Darling Basin.