The Gulf of Carpentaria, Australia is home to one of the world's most extraordinary meteorological phenomenon, the Morning Glory Cloud. You can access either a half hour documentary film on the Glory via the link above or short video and meteorology information via the links below.
Dawn over the Gulf during the latter part of the dry season and if you're lucky the atmosphere will put on for you one of it's rarest and most spectacular displays....the Morning Glory Cloud. Up to two kilometres high stretching from horizon to horizon this is a shockwave in the atmosphere of immense proportions which now attracts glider and hang glider pilots who ride it just as a surfboard rider does on the ocean. The Morning Glory Cloud video footage here is copyright of Aerial Video Australia who has digi betacam and high definition video footage available.
The best location to see the Morning Glory is Burketown in far North Queensland's Gulf of Carpentaria. The Glory generally goes through Karumba before dawn and arrives shortly after first light in the Burketown area. Towns are few and far between in this part of Australia - if you are travelling be prepared for some quite remote countryside with October temperatures over 40 degrees celsius at times. Many of the roads are dirt and the first thunderstorms of the wet season can start in mid to late October
This satellite image shows the Morning Glory appearing between Karumba and Burketown with a number of waves forming. Here is Morning Glory Cloud meteorological information including synoptic charts, computer modeling, photos and video footage which demonstrate the weather patterns that accompany the Morning Glory Clouds.
View Rob Thompson's Documentary of the Morning Glory Cloud which features some of the first Glider and Hang Glider Pilots to "Surf the Glory".
Here is tourist information on Burketown.
Other
places in
the Burketown region worth checking out are.......
Sweers Island: also has the roll cloud arriving shortly after dawn and is a tropical paradise not to be missed. Great fishing with boats and fishing gear included
Normanton: Historic buildings and the Gulflander railway.
Karumba: The major port servicing the Gulf of Carpentaria
Hells Gate: spectacular rugged scenery on the Northern Territory / Queensland Border
Birri Resort: On Mornington Island for fishing and relaxing.
Lawn Hill Gorge: A stunning oasis with spring fed creeks and waterfalls...fabulous swimming and camping!
Aerial Video of Lawn Hill Gorge:
Dimona Motor Glider For Sale If you are into gliding, based near Sydney and want to buy a one quarter share in the perfect motor glider to soar the Morning Glory have a look at this site.