Australia is well known for a lot of things – monuments, beaches, and, yes, rivers. There are numerous rivers in this subcontinent, some long and some short, found in various regions of the country. To share an amazing fact, one of the longest rivers in the world, that can be navigated easily, flows in Australia.
Well-Known Australian Rivers
The Aussies’ land is known for a dry climate and there are a limited number of freshwater sources. Therefore, the flow of the water of the rivers is generally modest. Given that many rivers cross state borders, a single river may be located in several different states.
1. Murray River
The longest river in the Australian continent, the Murray River flows for over 2520 kilometres through New South Wales, Victoria and South Australia. Emanating in the Alps of Australia and travelling across the interior plains of the continent, the river serves as the main water supply for almost 1.5 million residents around the area. Along the banks, it also has 16 storage weirs and 4 dams.
The river forms the border separating New South Wales and Victoria. It is the third longest river in the world that can be navigated easily, after the Nile and Amazon. The river can be navigated for up to 1,986 kilometres, starting from Goolwa and ending at Yarrawonga.
Murray River surely forms a large portion of the New South Wales border and Victoria. Still, it doesn’t earn the badge of being Victoria’s longest river since the river’s southern bank completes the border with New South Wales and not the middle of the river. 11 kilometres of the river formally is within Victoria, and it is the only section that separates Victoria and South Australia. Therefore, the middle of the river forms the boundary.
Near the river, there is Mungo National Park, one of the UNESCO World Heritage sites that also serves as a popular attraction visited by tourists. The largest canoe race on earth is also on this river. And the largest redgum forest in the entire globe is along the banks of River Murray. Another popular tourist attraction, especially for golfers, is the thirty-seven golf courses along the banks of this river.
2. Cooper Creek
Cooper Creek River is one of the major rivers in the country. The river flows for over 1300 kilometres through Queensland and Southern Australia. Barcoo River is its right tributary, while River Thompson is its left tributary
One of the three most noteworthy rivers that end up in the Lake Eyre basin, this beautiful river has also bagged the trophy for being the second longest inland river system in the Australian continent after the Murray-Darling River.
3. Gordon River
Gordon River is an important perennial river located in the Franklin-Gordon Wild Rivers National Park, in the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area. The waters of this river flow for over 172 kilometres. It is one of the most beautiful rivers in the country.
If you are looking for a quick escape with your friends or family, you can visit the river and have a great time. Activities like rafting, canoeing and cruising through the lush forests of the river riding a sail draw tourists from every corner of the earth to this river every year.
4. Noosa River
The Noosa River is one of the most stunning rivers in the eastern region of Australia. It is located in the region of Cooloola of the Great Sandy National Park. The two prime tributaries on this river are Kin Kin and Teewah Creeks, and it joins the Pacific Ocean when it reaches Noosa. There are numerous water sports you can enjoy, as well as cruises that will take you on a journey through the river. Along the river, many lakes offer great camping opportunities. You can go for a picnic or a short vacation by this river.
5. Ord River
Ord River is located in Western Australia, specifically in the Kimberley region. Flowing 320 kilometres long, the river got its name after the governor of Western Australia from 1877 to 1880. The catchment area of the river is over 46,100 square kilometres. The primary village and the centre of the irrigation scheme of the Ord River is Kununurra. One of the prominent attractions that draw travellers to the river is Lake Argyle.
6. Murrumbidgee River
Flowing for over 1488 kilometres, the Murrumbidgee River attains the second position for being the longest among the Australian rivers in the Murray-Darling system. Bring River Murray’s main tributary, it runs through New South Wales and across the Australian Capital Territory. From Peppercorn Hill, the river then runs south until it reaches Boundary Bend in Victoria, where it merges into the Murray River.
The watershed region of the river is almost 84,000 square kilometres and is a habitat of more than 500,000 people. Canberra, the capital of Australia, and Wagga Wagga, the largest city in New South Wales, all fall in that region.
7. Darling River
One of the longest rivers in the country, the Darling River holds third place with a length of 1,472 kilometres. The origin of the river is in northern New South Wales, and it meets the Murray River at Wentworth. The river has numerous tributaries, some long and some short, and the longest one it flows up to a length of 2,844 kilometres. With its tributaries, it holds the position of the longest river in Australia.
8. Lachlan River
Flowing through an impressive 1,450 kilometres, Lachlan River is the chief tributary of river Murrumbidgee. The river courses through New South Wales. At times when it floods, it empties into the Murray-Darling Basin and the Murrumbidgee River.
The birth of the river is at Gunning, where the Hannans Creek and Mutmutbilly Creek assemble. In 1815, a well-known adventurer named George William Evans found the river and named it after Lachlan Macquarie, the New South Wales Governor from 1810 to 1820.
9. Warrego River
The Warrego River is one of the tributaries of the river Darling. Flowing along a length of 1,380 kilometres, it passes through the southwestern region of Queensland and then through the Orana region of New South Wales. The beginning of the river is from below Mount KaKa Mundi in the Carnarvon Range near Queensland. It merges with the river Darling at Bourke. The river has 37 tributaries, and the banks shelter several communities.
10. Paroo River
Paroo River emerges from the north of White Cliffs in South Wales and flows through Queensland and New South Wales with a length of 1,210 kilometers. As the river travels along its course, 43 minor tributaries join it. One can find some threatened species, like the Australian Painted Snipe and the Freckled Duck in the wetlands of the river.
Paroo River consists of several waterholes that join together during the rainy season to form a flowing stream. Those waterholes empty into a basin that is 60,095 square kilometres in size. It is one of the most remarkable river systems in Australia.
11. Daintree River
Daintree River is one of the world’s most densely inhabited mangrove embouchures. The river flows through Port Douglas and Cape Tribulation and empties into the Coral Sea. One other notable fact about the river is that it is the only place on the entire globe that flaunts the blend of a rainforest and a reef, therefore making it one of the most famous and unique rivers flowing through Australia.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. How many rivers does Australia have?
According to the Geographical Names Board of New South Wales, there are around 439 rivers in the Geographical Names Register. There might also be some rivers that haven’t been discovered yet or not recorded in the Geographical Names Register.
2. What are the two major rivers of Australia?
The two major rivers of Australia are the Murray River and the Murrumbidgee River. The longest river in the country, Murray River, flows for over 2520 kilometres through New South Wales, Victoria and Southern Australia. Flowing for over 1488 kilometres long, Murrumbidgee River attains the second position for being the longest among the Australian rivers in the Murray-Darling basin.
3. Which is Australia’s longest river?
The longest river in the Australian continent, the Murray River flows for over 2520 kilometres through New South Wales, Victoria and Southern Australia. Emanating in the Alps of Australia and travelling across the interior plains of the continent, the river empties into Lake Alexandria. It is also the third longest river in the world.
Also read: Karijini National Park- 13 Amazing Things to Know
Last Updated on March 16, 2024 by Kaushiki Mahato
