List of Australian place names of Aboriginal origin

Welcome sign from Murwillumbah, New South Wales. The name derives from the Bandjalang word meaning "camping place."

Place names in Australia have names originating in the Australian Aboriginal languages for three main reasons:

• Historically, white explorers and surveyors may have asked local Aboriginal people the name of a place, and named it accordingly. Where they did not ask, they may have heard the place was so-named. Due to language difficulties, the results were often misheard and misunderstood names, such as the name of the Yarra River. There are a suspicious number of place names which translate as pretty and resting place, which may imply European romanticism, and no doubt a good deal of mispronunciation and corruption in general.
• Australian governments have officially named many places, particularly suburbs, after Aboriginal people or language groups, such as Aranda or Tullamarine.
• The place name has always been called thus by Aboriginal people, and Aboriginal people still live in the area. This is particularly so for Aboriginal communities, such as Maningrida in the Northern Territory. This is more frequent where white settlement has been less dense, particularly in Central Australia and the Top End.

Watkin Tench, who arrived on the First Fleet, observed of the Aboriginal languages of present-day Sydney:

We were at first inclined to stigmatise this language as harsh and barbarous in its sounds. Their combinations of words in the manner they utter them, frequently convey such an effect. But if not only their proper names of men and places, but many of their phrases and a majority of their words, be simply and unconnectedly considered, they will be found to abound with vowels and to produce sounds sometimes mellifluous and sometimes sonorous. What ear can object to the names of Colbee, (pronounced exactly as Colby is with us) Bereewan, Bondel, Imeerawanyee, Deedora, Wolarawaree, or Baneelon, among the men; or to Wereeweea, Gooreedeeana, Milba,^[1] or Matilba, among the women? Parramatta, Gweea, Cameera, Cadi, and Memel, are names of places. The tribes derive their appellations from the places they inhabit. Thus Cemeeragal, means the men who reside in the bay of Cameera; Cadigal, those who reside in the bay of Cadi; and so of the others.^[2]

Towns and Suburbs

→A← Adaminaby Adelong Ajana[3] Akuna Bay Aldinga Allambie Allambie Heights Allanooka Allawah Amaroo Amelup Anembo Angledool Angourie Angurugu Anula Arakoon Araluen Aranda Aratula Areyonga Argalong Arrawarra Arrino[3] Attunga Aurukun Awaba →B← Baandee[3] Babakin[3] Badgebup[3] Badgingarra[3] Badjaling[3] Bailup[4] Baladjie[3] Balagundi[3] Balarang Balbarrup[3] Balcatta[4] Balga[4] Balgarri[3] Balingup[3] Ballarat Balkuling[3] Ballaballa[3] Bamaga Banyule Barangaroo Bardoc[3] Barragup[4] Baryulgil Beechina[4] Beeliar[4] Bellambi Bejoording[3] Belka[3] Belmunging[3] Bencubbin[3] Bendering[3] Benjaberring[3] Beria[3] Berowra Berri Bilbarin[3] Billimari Biloela Bindi Bindi[3] Bindoon[3] Binningup[3] Binnu[3] Birralee Bodallin[3] Bogan Gate Boggabri Bolgart[3] Bombo Boodarockin[3] Boogardie[3] Boolading[3] Boolaroo Booligal Boorabbin[3] Boroondara Booragoon[4] Boorara[3] Bouddi Bowelling[3] Bowgada[3] Boya[4] Boyanup[3] Boyup Brook[3] Brisbane Bullaring[3] Bulli Buln Buln Bulong[3] Bundamba Bungulla[3] Bunjil[3] Bunyip Burakin[3] Burekup[3] Buronga Burracoppin[3] Burran Rock[3] Burraneer →C← Caboolture Calingiri[3] Caiguna Cammeray Canberra Canna[3] Carbunup River[3] Cardup[4] Carnamah[3] Carnarvon[3] Caron[3] Carrabin[3] Carramar[4] Chinocup[3] Chittering[3] Clackline[3] Cocklebiddy Collaroy Condingup[3] Congelin[3] Coodanup[4] Coogee[4] Cookernup[3] Coolamon Coolangatta Coolbellup[4] Coolbinia[4] Coolgardie[3] Coolimba[3] Cooloongup[4] Coolup[3] Coomalbidgup[3] Coonabarabran Coonawarra Cooran Coorow[3] Cooroy Cootamundra Coraki Cordering[3] Corrigin[3] Corrimal Corryong Cowaramup[3] Cowcowing[3] Cowra Cringila Cuballing[3] Cuddingwarra[3] Cullacabardee[4] Cunderdin[3] Currambine[4] Currumbin

→D← Dalaroo[3] Dalwallinu[3] Dalyup[3] Dandaragan[3] Dangin[3] Dardanup[3] Darkan[3] Dapto Dattening[3] Dinninup[3] Dimbulah Dirranbandi Doonan Drouin Dongara[3] Doodlakine[3] Dowerin[3] Dubbo Dudinin[3] Dukin[3] Dumbleyung[3] Dungog Duranillin[3] Dwarda[3] Dwellingup[3] →E← Echuca Echunga Ejanding[3] Elanora Eneabba[3] Eradu[3] Eucla[3] Eujinyn[3] Eulaminna[3] Eumundi →G← Gabanintha[3] Gabbin[3] Galong Garah Geelong Gerringong Gidgegannup[4] Gilgandra Gindalbie[3] Gingin[3] Ginninderra Giralang Girrawheen[4] Gnangara[4] Gnowangerup[3] Goodooga Goomalling[3] Goondi Goondiwindi Goonellabah Goonengerry Goongarrie[3] Girraween Grong Grong Gunbalunya Gudarra[3] Gulgong Gullewa[3] Gungahlin Gunyidi[3] Gwambygine[3] Gwelup[4] Gymea →H← Howatharra[3] →I← Illawong Iluka[4] Indooroopilly Innaloo[4] Imbil →J← Jabiru Jamberoo Jandabup[4] Jannali Jardee[3] Jeebropilly Jennacubbine[3] Jeparit Jerdacuttup[3] Jerramungup[3] Jindalee[4] Jingalup[3] Jimboomba Jindabyne Jitarning[3] Joondalup[4] →K← Kalamunda[4] Kalannie[3] Kalbarri[3] Kaleen Kalgan[3] Kalgoorlie[3] Kallangur Kallaroo[4] Kalli Kambah Kambalda[3] Kemblawarra Kanahooka Kangy Angy Kanowna[3] Karawara[4] Karrabin Karangi Kardinya[4] Kareela Karlgarin[3] Karnup[4] Karragullen[4] Karrakatta[4] Karrakup[4] Karratha[3] Karridale[3] Karrinyup Karuah Karumba Katanning[3] Kauring[3] Kebaringup[3] Kellerberrin[3] Kendenup[3] Kerang Kiama Kiara[4] Kiley Kirrawee Kirup[3] Kojonup[3] Kokardine[3] Konnongorring[3] Koo Wee Rup Koojan[3] Koolan[3] Koolanooka[3] Koolyanobbing[3] Koondoola[4] Koongamia[4] Koorda[3] Korrelocking[3] Kowanyama Kudardup[3] Kukerin[3] Kulikup[3] Kulin[3] Kulja[3] Kulyalling[3] Kumari Kundana[3] Kunjin[3] Kununoppin[3] Kununurra[3] Kuranda Kurnalpi[3] Kurnell Kurrawang[3] Kweda[3] Kwelkan[3] Kwinana[4] Kwolyin[3] Kyancutta Kyogle Kurri Kurri

→K← Larrakeyah Legana Leumeah Loorana →J← Malanda Maleny Mallina[3] Manangatang Mandiga[3] Mandogalup[4] Mandurah[4] Maningrida Manilla Manjimup[3] Manmanning[3] Maralinga Marangaroo[4] Marbelup[3] Marchagee[3] Mardella[4] Maroochydore Mareeba Marree Maribyrnong Mariginiup[4] Maya[3] Mayanup[3] Maydena Meckering[3] Meekatharra[3] Meenaar[3] Merredin[3] Merriwa[4] Mia Mia Miling[3] Millaa Millaa Millmerran Mindarie[4] Minnamurra Mingenew[3] Mirrabooka[4] Mittagong Moe Monbulk Mollymook Moodiarrup[3] Moojebing[3] Mooloolaba Moonah Moonbi Moonijin[3] Moora[3] Moorine Rock[3] Moornaming[3] Mooroolbark Moorumbine[3] Morawa[3] Moruya Moulyining[3] Mount Keira Mount Kembla Mount Warrigal Muchea[3] Mudgee Muja[3] Mukinbudin[3] Mulgarrie[3] Mulgoa Mullaloo[4] Mullalyup[3] Mullewa[3] Mulline[3] Mullumbimby Mulwarrie[3] Mundaring[4] Mundijong[4] Mundubbera Mungindi Mungalup[3] Munglinup[3] Muntadgin[3] Muradup[3] Murdunna Murrin Murrin[3] Murrumba Downs Murrurundi Murwillumbah Myalup[3] Myaree[4] →N← Nabawa[3] Nalkain[3] Nalya[3] Nambrok Nambucca Nana Glen Nangeenan[3] Nannine[3] Nannup[3] Naracoopa Naraling[3] Narara Narembeen[3] Naremburn Narkal[3] Nar Nar Goon Narngulu[3] Narrabundah Narrandera Narre Warren Narrikup[3] Narrogin[3] Needilup[3] Neendaling[3] Neerabup[4] Nerrigundah Ngunnawal Nhulunbuy Nippering[3] Noarlunga Noggerup[3] Nollamara[4] Noongal[3] Noongar[3] Noosa North Dandalup[3] North Yunderup[4] Nowergup[4] Nowra Nugadong[3] Nullagine[3] Nungarin[3] Nunngarra[3] Nyabing[3] Nyngan →O← Ongerup[3] Ourimbah Ouyen →P← Papunya Panania Pannawonica[3] Parraburdoo[3] Paringa Parramatta Patchewollock Pawleena Pegarah Penna Perenjori[3] Peringillup[3] Pialligo Piawaning[3] Pindar[3] Pingaring[3] Pingelly[3] Pingrup[3] Pinjar[4] Pinjarra[3] Pintharuka[3] Pinwernying[3] Pithara[3] Pootenup[3] Popanyinning[3] Pormpuraaw Porongurup

→Q← Quambone Quairading[3] Qualeup[3] Quigup[3] Quindalup[3] Quindanning[3] →R← Ramingining Reekara →S← South Kumminin[3] South Yunderup[4] →T← Tambellup[3] Tammin[3] Tanilba Bay Tanunda Taranna Tarrawanna Tarzali Tenindewa[3] Terrigal Tharwa Thirroul Tincurrin[3] Tolga Tongarra Toodyay[3] Toogoolawah Toolibin[3] Toongabbie Toowong Toowoomba Toolijooa Towradgi Trayning[3] Tuckanarra[3] Tullimbar Tumbi Umbi Turramurra →U← Unanderra Uralla Uraidla Uriarra →W← Wadalba Wadderin[3] Wagaman Wagerup[3] Wagga Wagga Wagin[3] Wahroonga Walcha Walgoolan[3] Wandering[3] Wandi[4] Wandoan Wannamal[3] Wannanup[4] Wanneroo[4] Waramanga Waroona Warrachuppin[3] Warragul Warralakin[3] Warrawong Warrnambool Watheroo[3] Wee Waa Welbungin[3] Werombi Weetangera Werribee West Toodyay[3] Wialki[3] Wickepin[3] Widgiemooltha[3] Wilcannia Wilga[3] Willagee[4] Willunga Wiluna[3] Windang Wodonga Wogarl[3] Wokalup[5] Wollongong Wongan Hills[3] Wonnerup[3] Woodanilling[3] Woodarra[3] Woolgoolga Woollahra Woolloomoloo Woolloongabba Wombarra Wongawilli Woomera Woonona Wooroloo[4] Wonthaggi Woy Woy Wubin[3] Wujal Wujal Wulkuraka Wundowie[3] Wyalkatchem[3] Wyee Wyening[3] Wyong →Y← Yackandandah Yagoona Yalgoo[3] Yallah Yallakool Yallambie Yalup Brook[3] Yalwal Yamba Yambacoona Yanchep[4] Yanco Yandanooka[3] Yanderra Yangebup[4] Yanmah[3] Yannawah Yannergee Yantabulla Yarding[3] Yarloop[3] Yarra Yarrabah Yarrabandai Yarralumla Yarramalong Yarraman Yarrawonga Yarri[3] Yatala Yealering[3] Yelbeni[3] Yellowdine[3] Yerecoin[3] Yerrinbool Yilliminning[3] Yirrkala Yokine Yoogali Yornaning[3] Yoting[3] Youanmi[3] Youndegin[3] Yoweragabbie[3] Yowie Bay Yowrie Yuendumu Yulara Yullundry Yuluma Yuna[3] Yundamindera[3] Yunndaga[3]

Regions and Shires

Baryulgil Barrenjoey Boonah Brewarrina Dandenong

Eurobodalla Illawarra Kuringgai Maribyrnong Mundaring

Murrumbidgee Narromine Ngaanyatjarraku Onkaparinga Pilbara

Wangaratta Warringah Warrumbungle Wingecarribee Wollondilly

Beaches and waterways

Beaches Belongil Bondi Bungan Coogee Elouera Ettalong Gunnamatta Maroubra Tamarama Umina Wanda Wattamolla Bays Akuna Careel Gunamatta Malua Tanilba Bay Toowoon Waratah Yowie Toocon bay\toocon Creeks Cabramatta Cockabutta Eungai Mingera Mullum Mullum Wollemi Wongo Djerriwarrh

Dams Burrendong Googong Lakes Budgewoi Bungunnia Burrendong Cargelligo Lake Canobolas Catagunyah Coongie Etamunbanie Minigwal Moondah Noondie Parangana Tuggerah Uloowaranie Yamma Yamma Yantabangee Yarra Yarra

Rivers Barcoo Barwon Bega Belyando Bogan Bombala Bulloo Bungala Colo Coolaburragundy Cudgegong Culgoa Goolwa Kalgan Kolan Maribyrnong Maroochy Mitta Mitta Molonglo Moonie Murrumbidgee Myponga Nambucca Namoi Narram Nogoa Nymboida

Onkaparinga Orara Pallinup Paroo Parramatta Queanbeyan Ringarooma Talbragar Tamar Tambo Warrego Willochra Woronora Yankalilla Yappar Yarra

Mountains, ranges etc

Mount Baw Baw Beerwah Bogong High Plains Brindabella Ranges Mount Buller Bungle Bungle Range Bunya Mountains

Burrup Peninsula Mount Canobolas Chincogan Coonoowrin Mount Dandenong Dandenong Ranges Kata Tjuta

Moonbi Range Mumbulla Tibrogargan Mount Tilga Uluru Watagan Mountains

Warrumbungles Wilpena Pound Wollumbin (Mount Warning) Wundu (Thornton's Peak) Mount Yarrahapinni You Yangs

Deserts

• Tanami Desert
• Tirari Desert

Parks and Forests

National Parks

Arakwal Barool Baw Baw Bendidee Binna Burra Boonoo Boonoo Bouddi Burrowa Canunda Coopracambra

Coorong Croajingolong Currawinya Dipperu Dunggir Eurobodalla Garigal Japoon Kakadu Karijini Kuringgai

Marramarra Nangar Nattai Nymboida Onkaparinga River Porongurup Purnululu Tamborine Tarra-Bulga

Terrick Terrick Uluru-Kata Tjuta Witjira Wollemi Wyrrabalong Yarra Ranges

Nature Reserves

• Muogamarra

State Forests

Bago Barmah Belanglo Bodalla Bondo Buckenbowra Buckingbong Bulga Bullala Bungongo Burrawan Chaelundi Cobaw Cobboboonee

Colymea Conjola Corrabare Croobyar Currambine Currowan Dingo Drajurk Etoo Ewingar Gibberagee Gilwarny Goonoo Grahway

Ingalba Jenolan Kioloa Malara Maragle Moruya Murrah Nerong Ourimbah Pilliga Pokolbin Riamukka Tallaganda Tamban Tillarook

Toolangi Tuggolo Wang Wauk Weecurra Wingello Wombat Woomargama Wyong Yadboro Yalwal Yarratt

State Conservation Areas

• Whian Whian

Highways and main roads

• Bunnerong Road
• Kamilaroi Highway
• Maroondah Highway
• Oodnadatta Track
• Warrego Highway
• Woniora Road

Non-Aboriginal Place names that are assumed to be Aboriginal

Aramac (a corruption of the name Robert Ramsey Mackenzie, Premier of Queensland) Bellingen Bendigo (ultimately from the boxer "Bendigo" Thompson) Beulah (Biblical Hebrew, From Book of Isaiah) Cloncurry (from Lady Elizabeth Cloncurry) Como (Italian)

Connemara (Gaelic) Dimboola (Sinhalese) Engadine (German) Eromanga Glenorie (Gaelic) Gwydir River (Welsh)

Madura (Sanskrit?) Malabar (Malayam) Menai (Welsh) Minto (ultimately a Scottish placename) Miranda (Spanish, after a character in The Tempest) Nangiloc (reverse spelling of Colignan) Nullarbor ("no trees" in Latin)

Pymble (after Robert Pymble) Telopea (Greek, the waratah) Temora (a poem by Ossian) Waitara (Maori) Wallacia (Named after Robert Wallace) Wangara ((Wan(neroo)) + (Gnan)gara) Wittenoom (after Frank Wittenoom)

Place names over which uncertainty exists

• Ballina – possibly named after Ballina in Ireland.
• Bruthen – a Celtic place name used in Britain, (now named Breidden), between Shropshire, England and Powys, Wales; also a Scott's Gaelic word meaning striped or checked; and in Cornish the word means freckled or speckled.
• Bodalla – a corruption of "boat alley".
• Narrabeen – a corruption of "narrow bean".
• Traralgon
• Ulladulla – a corruption of "holey dollar".
• Warracknabeal
• Watanobbi – could be from Watanabe, Japanese surname.

See also

• List of reduplicated Australian place names

References

1. Tench reports that: Mrs. Johnson, wife of the chaplain of the settlement, was so pleased with this name that she christened her little girl, born in Port Jackson, Milba Maria Johnson
2. Watkin Tench, The Settlement of Port Jackson, Chapter 17.
3. "History of country town names". Landgate. n.d. Retrieved 31 December 2014.
4. "History of metropolitan subrub names". Landgate. n.d. Retrieved 31 December 2014.
5. "Wokalup". Shire of Harvey. n.d. Retrieved 31 December 2014.