Dampier Peninsula

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Dampier Peninsula
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Australia Western Australia location map.svg
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Dampier Peninsula
Coordinates: 17°12′36″S122°48′36″E / 17.21000°S 122.81000°E / -17.21000; 122.81000
Country Australia
State Western Australia
Population
 • Total1,051 (SAL 2021) [1]

The Dampier Peninsula is a peninsula located north of Broome and Roebuck Bay in the Kimberley region of Western Australia, named after the mariner and explorer William Dampier who visited it. It is surrounded by the Indian Ocean to the west and north, and King Sound to the east. The northernmost part of the peninsula is Cape Leveque. It is sparsely inhabited, mostly by Indigenous Australian peoples, some of whom have been granted native title rights to some of their traditional lands. There are many coastal inlets, bays, and other features, including Beagle Bay on its western side.

Contents

Aboriginal heritage

Map of the traditional lands of Australian Aboriginal tribes around the Dampier Peninsula. Traditional lands of Australian Aboriginal Tribes around Derby.png
Map of the traditional lands of Australian Aboriginal tribes around the Dampier Peninsula.

The peninsula is home to a rich heritage of Aboriginal culture, with the communities of Beagle Bay, Bobieding, Djarindjin, Ardyaloon (One Arm Point), and Ngardalargin, along with numerous other smaller communities, pearling camps, tourist resorts, and Aboriginal outstations.

The traditional owners of the areas around the peninsula are the Bardi, Nyunyul, and Jabirr Jabirr (Djaberadjabera) peoples. [3]

Ecology

Many small trees, shrubs, and animals live on and in the sea surrounding the peninsula, the most characteristic vegetation being pindan woodland within the interior sandplains.

Mangroves are an important part within the peninsula, with 12 of Western Australia's 17 species present. Flying Fox colonies commonly roost in the trees during the day before foraging at dusk. [4]

Transport

The peninsula is traversed from south to north through Cape Leveque Road.

Numerous tour operators run bus services on the peninsula.

Air strips are situated at Cape Leveque, Bardi, Djarindjin (Lombadina), Beagle Bay, and some of the smaller communities and pearl farms.

Tourism

There are several tourist accommodation facilities such as Kooljamon (Cape Leveque) and Middle Lagoon (Middle Lagoon).

References

  1. ↑ Australian Bureau of Statistics (28 June 2022). "Dampier Peninsula (suburb and locality)". Australian Census 2021 QuickStats. Retrieved 28 June 2022.  OOjs UI icon edit-ltr-progressive.svg
  2. ↑ This map is indicative only.
  3. ↑ "Ausanthrop - Australian Aboriginal tribal database". 2012. Archived from the original on 27 September 2015. Retrieved 30 April 2012.
  4. ↑ https://library.dbca.wa.gov.au/static/FullTextFiles/016991.pdf page 31 and 39.
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