Numby Numby, also known as Nimby Nimby or Ngambingambi, is a
sinkhole
A sinkhole is a depression or hole in the ground caused by some form of collapse of the surface layer. The term is sometimes used to refer to doline, enclosed depressions that are also known as shakeholes, and to openings where surface water ...
in the
Northern Territory of Australia
The Northern Territory (abbreviated as NT; known formally as the Northern Territory of Australia and informally as the Territory) is an states and territories of Australia, Australian internal territory in the central and central-northern regi ...
located in the locality of
McArthur McArthur may refer to:
People
* McArthur (surname)
Geography
* McArthur, Arkansas, an unincorporated town in Desha County
* McArthur, California, in Shasta County
* McArthur, Modoc County, California
* McArthur, Ohio
* McArthur Basin, a large int ...
about west-northwest of
Borroloola
Borroloola () is a town in the Northern Territory of Australia. It is located on the McArthur River, about upstream from the Gulf of Carpentaria.
Location
Borroloola lies on the traditional country of the Yanyuwa people, on the coastal plain ...
.
Description
The sinkhole provides a good environment for swimming, since the water source is a hot spring hidden in the depths, bringing the water temperature to . Surrounded by high cliffs, the water is only accessible via a washout that breaks through the North West side, providing a steep path to the water's edge. Large lily pads dominate the shallows. The depth is at least within a short distance from the shoreline.
Legend
In the Indigenous languages of the area, Yanyuwa, Garrwa, Gudanji and Marra, the sinkhole is known as Ngambingambi. It is an important site associated with the activities of the
Rainbow Serpent
The Rainbow Serpent or Rainbow Snake is a common deity often seen as the Creator deity, creator God, known by numerous names in different Australian Aboriginal languages by the many List of Australian Aboriginal group names, different Aborigina ...
(Bujimala) and two newly initiated men (rduwarra wujara). The two young men had travelled from the
McArthur River
The McArthur River is a river in the Northern Territory of Australia which flows into the Gulf of Carpentaria at Port McArthur, opposite the Sir Edward Pellew Group of Islands. The river was named by Ludwig Leichhardt while he explored the a ...
, just downstream from the town of Borroloola. As they traveled they began to kill flying foxes, creatures kin to the Rainbow Serpent who was dwelling underground at Ngambingambi. On arrival at Ngambingambi the Rainbow Serpent was so angry, he burst through the ground, creating the sinkhole. He then carried the two young men back to the McArthur River and downstream to the
Sir Edward Pellew Islands. The two young men reside on Pearce and Urquart islands. The Rainbow Serpent is said to dwell between these two islands watching the boys.
See also
*
List of sinkholes of Australia
References
* Bradley, John; & Yanyuwa families. (1988). ''Yanyuwa Country: The Yanyuwa people tell the story of their Land''. Greenhouse Publications.
* Bradley, John; Cameron, Nona; & Yanyuwa Families. (2002). ''Forget About Flinders. A Yanyuwa Atlas of the south west Gulf of Carpentaria''. J.M McGregor Publishers: Queensland.
Sinkholes of Australia
Lakes of the Northern Territory
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