Werribee River

Werribee
Werribee River at Exford, downstream from Melton Reservoir
Werribee River is located in Victoria
Werribee River
Location of the Werribee River mouth in Victoria
EtymologyAboriginal (Boonwurrung/Wathawurrung): wirribi meaning "backbone".[1][2]
Native nameWirribi-yaluk (Wathawurrung)[1]
Location
CountryAustralia
StateVictoria
RegionVictorian Midlands (IBRA), Western District, Port Phillip
Local government areasMoorabool, Melton, Wyndham
CitiesBallan, Bacchus Marsh, Werribee
Physical characteristics
SourceGreat Dividing Range
 • locationWombat State Forest near Korweinguboora
 • coordinates37°26′S 144°10′E / 37.433°S 144.167°E / -37.433; 144.167
 • elevation501 m (1,644 ft)
MouthPort Phillip
 • location
near Werribee South
 • coordinates
37°58′42″S 144°41′40″E / 37.97833°S 144.69444°E / -37.97833; 144.69444
 • elevation
9 m (30 ft)
Length110 km (68 mi)
Basin features
River systemPort Phillip catchment
Tributaries 
 • leftLerderderg River, Toolern Creek
National parkWerribee Gorge State Park
[3][4]

The Werribee River is a perennial river of the Port Phillip catchment that is located on the expansive lowland plain southwest of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. The headwaters of a tributary, the Lerderderg River, are north of Ballan near Daylesford and it flows across the basalt plain, through the suburb of Werribee to enter Port Phillip. A linear park follows the Werribee River along much of its course. In total the Werribee River completes a journey of approximately 110 kilometres (68 mi).[5]

The river flows through the Werribee Gorge State Park before being utilised for irrigation of market gardens at Bacchus Marsh, then through Werribee where it is crossed by the Maltby By-pass. It then flows through the Werribee Open Range Zoo in Werribee Park, and finally the small coastal settlement of Werribee South before entering Port Phillip. The Western Treatment Plant, a sewage treatment site, is located near the mouth of the river, and supplies irrigation needs to the zoo.

The Werribee River Trail winds beside the Werribee River from Davis Creek in Tarneit to the Princes Highway in Werribee.

  1. ^ a b Clark, Ian; Heydon, Toby (2011). "Historical Information: Werribee River". VICNAMES. Government of Victoria. Archived from the original on 7 April 2014. Retrieved 24 April 2018 – via Victorian Aboriginal Corporation for Languages.
  2. ^ Reed, A. W. (1973). Place names of Australia (1st ed.). Frenchs Forest: Reed Books. p. 224. ISBN 0-589-50128-3.
  3. ^ "Place Details: Werribee River". VICNAMES. Government of Victoria. Archived from the original on 7 April 2014. Retrieved 24 April 2018.
  4. ^ "Map of Werribee River, VIC". Bonzle Digital Atlas of Australia. Retrieved 7 April 2014.
  5. ^ "Werribee River". City of Wyndham.