| Archer River | |
|---|---|
| Origin | McIlwraith Range |
| Mouth | Gulf of Carpentaria |
| Basin countries | Australia |
| Basin area | 13,820 km² |
The Archer River is a major river of the Cape York Peninsula, Far North Queensland, Australia. It rises in the McIlwraith Range, traverses tropical savanna plains and wetlands, flowing through Piccaninny Plains Sanctuary and Mungkan Kandju National Park, and enters the Gulf of Carpentaria on the western side of the peninsula near the town of Aurukun.
The catchment area for the Archer River is 13,820 km².[1] During the wet season between November and April, the river floods, replenishing over a million hectares of wetlands.[2] The Coen River is a tributary of the Archer River.
The river remains in a natural state with very little development and just one small dam that supplies water for the town of Coen.[1] On April 3 2009, Queensland Premier Anna Bligh announced the Archer River would be included under the Wild Rivers Act (2005).[3] The declaration means the river's fragile ecosystems will be protected by allowing only sustainable activities within its catchment.
Much of the river is bordered by fig-dominated gallery rainforests which provide habitat for animals such as the White-tailed Rat, Spotted Cuscus and Palm Cockatoo. Toothless catfish are found in the river.