Big River

We’re driving south, for a visit to our old home in Canberra. We do this a couple of times a year. Our first stop today was at the small town of Ulmarra, on the Clarence River, about a 90 minute drive from home.

In the early days of colonial settlement this stream was simply known as The Big River, as it had been known for millenia to First Nations people. In November 1839, it was officially renamed the Clarence River by the then Governor of New South Wales. This was in honour of William IV, the Duke of Clarence, who became the King of England from 1830 to 1837. I initially wondered if Clarence was ever told that a majestic river in the far antipodes had been named in his honour? But then I worked out that he’d been dead for 2 years before the naming, so I guess the conclusion is obvious!