The Shire of Burke is a local government area in North West
Queensland, Australia. The shire lies on the south coast of the Gulf of
Carpentaria and abuts the border with the Northern Territory. It covers an area
of 40,126.8 square kilometers, and has existed as a local government entity
since 1885. The major town and administrative centre of the shire is Burketown.
The shire and town and the Burke River passing through all
are named in honour of ill-fated explorer Robert O'Hara Burke. From the months
of August to November, a rare meteorological phenomenon known as "Morning
Glory" - long, tubular clouds, some up to 1000 km in length - are often
observed in the skies above Burke Shire. The shire contains Boodjamulla
National Park and the World Heritage Site Riversleigh fossil fields. The
Aboriginal Shire of Doomadgee lies inside Burke Shire to the west of Burketown.
It also includes Gregory Downs.
