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Stewart River
The Stewart River catchment, on the east coast of Cape York Peninsula, hosts a great diversity of unique environments. From the unspoiled rainforest of the McIllwraith Range, to the savanna country of the lower plains, to the coastal wetlands and mangroves, the Stewart’s free-flowing rivers ensure the ongoing health and abundance of life in this remarkable region.
Galllery rainforest arch over the Massi River on Silver Plains in the Stewart River catchment. Photo: Glenn Walker
Conservation and cultural values
The Stewart River catchment captures several wild river systems, just east of the town of Coen. This includes the Rocky River in the north, the Massey River and Breakfast Creek near the Silver Plains station, and the streams of the Binyo Timber Reserve.
Many of these natural watercourses begin their descent eastwards to the sea from the McIllwraith Range – Australia’s largest tropical rainforest wilderness. As the rivers bisect the ranges into rugged gorges, giant old growth Hoop Pines stand sentinel on the surrounding mountains. This rainforest contains at least 1000 species of plants, including 100 rare or threatened species and supports 16% of Australia’s orchid species. Scientists are still discovering new species in this natural wonderland.
The lower plains of the Stewart River catchment are a bird-watchers haven thanks to the contrasting environments of the savanna country, the dense gallery rainforest hugging the watercourses, and extensive wetlands and coastal areas. On any one morning a keen eye might spot a Rufus Owl, a Frilled Monarch, a Shiny Flycatcher, a Palm Cockatoo and a Royal Spoonbill.
The wild streams of the Stewart River catchment are crocodile country. Lurching in the salty waters of the lower plains, the Estuarine Crocodile can grow up to six to seven meters in length and needs healthy, well managed wild rivers to survive.
The Stewart River reaches the east coast of Cape York Peninsula at Port Stewart, where the fresh water and natural nutrient flows give life to thriving seagrass beds and the World Heritage Great Barrier Reef. The mouth of Stewart near-shore marine environment is a declared Fish Habitat Area – a form of marine protected area that regulates development in order to protect critical habitat for Barramundi, Blue Salmon, Queenfish, Grey Mackerel, Mangrove Jack and Tiger Prawns in particular.
The Lama lama, Kuuku-yani, Umbindhamu and Ayapathu people are the Traditional Owners of the Stewart River catchment area and maintain strong cultural and spiritual connections with the land and rivers. The traditional ecological knowledge and health of these communities is in turn critical to the ongoing health of this wild river system.
Threats
The dominant land use practices in the Stewart River catchment are grazing and conservation management. Major threats to the wild river values of this area include encroaching invasive weeds such as Gamba Grass, growing numbers of feral pigs, and under-resourcing of protected areas. Cattle in the area can also cause major soil erosion, trample vegetation and pollute river systems. Wild River protection, as well as the Indigenous Wild River Ranger program, will help address these impacts and resourcing issues.