Boobera Lagoon is a permanent water hole in Moree Plains Shire, New South Wales, Australia,[1] approximately 20 kilometres west of Goondiwindi in Queensland. It is located at 28°38′S 150°09′E / 28.63°S 150.15°E. It lies several kilometres south of the Macintyre River, which forms the border between Queensland (to the north) and New South Wales, and is just north of the Mungindi - Goondiwindi road. Its outflow, which connects to the river, is named Boobera Watercourse.
| Boobera Lagoon | |
|---|---|
  Boobera Lagoon | |
| Coordinates | 28°38′S 150°09′E / 28.63°S 150.15°E |
| Basin countries | Australia |
| Max. length | 7 km (4.3 mi) |
The lagoon is 7 kilometres in length and supports a wide variety of aquatic and bird life.
The Indigenous people of the area believe the lagoon is the resting place of Garriya,[2] the Rainbow Serpent,[3] an important figure in dreamtime legend. The lagoon was particularly significant to the Bigambul and Kamilaroi people,[4] who held the third stage of their joint male initiation ceremonies at this site.
Today Boobera Lagoon is recognised as a culturally significant site[3] and motorised water sport is prohibited on the Lagoon.[5]
References
edit- ^ "Boobera Lagoon". Geographical Names Register (GNR) of NSW. Geographical Names Board of New South Wales. Retrieved 26 February 2016.
- ^ "Bunyips, Aboriginal Stories". National Library of Australia. Retrieved 2006-03-27.
- ^ a b "Native Title Report 2000: Chapter 4: Indigenous heritage | Australian Human Rights Commission". humanrights.gov.au. Retrieved 2020-05-26.
- ^ Hal Wootten, A.C. Q.C., Report to Minister for Aboriginal Affairs re Boobera Lagoon, April 1996.
- ^ Quiggin, Robynne "Boobera Lagoon" 5(6) Indigenous Law Bulletin 4 (2001). http://classic.austlii.edu.au/au/journals/IndigLawB/2001/9.html#fn19
