| Rufus River | |
|---|---|
 A section of the Rufus River between Lake Victoria and the Murray River, near the Lake Victoria outlet regulator | |
 | |
| Etymology | In honour of George Macleay, who had red hair[1] |
| Location | |
| Country | Australia |
| State | New South Wales |
| Region | IBRA: Riverina |
| District | Far West |
| Municipality | Wentworth |
| Physical characteristics | |
| Source | Lake Victoria |
| Mouth | confluence with the Murray River |
• location | at Devils Elbow, near Rufus |
| Length | 5 km (3.1 mi) |
| Basin features | |
| River system | Murray River, Murray–Darling basin |
Rufus River, a watercourse of the Murray catchment and part of the Murray–Darling basin, is located in south western New South Wales, Australia.
The river leaves Lake Victoria, flowing generally west and then south-west, before reaching its confluence with the Murray River, at Lock 7, near Rufus.
Rufus River was visited by European explorer, Charles Sturt, in 1830, and named after his red-haired (or rufus) travelling companion, George Macleay.
A number of conflicts between European and Aboriginal people in 1841 led to the Rufus River massacre.
- ^ "Rufus River". Geographical Names Register (GNR) of NSW. Geographical Names Board of New South Wales. Retrieved 10 February 2013.
