Hobart Rivulet

The Hobart Rivulet, part of the River Derwent catchment, is an urban stream located in the Hobart hinterland and flows through and underneath the city, in Tasmania, Australia.

Hobart
Strickland Falls on the upper Hobart Rivulet
Hobart Rivulet is located in Tasmania
Hobart Rivulet
Location of the river mouth in Tasmania
Location
CountryAustralia
StateTasmania
RegionSouth East
Physical characteristics
Sourcekunanyi / Mount Wellington
 • coordinates42°54′26″S 147°14′49″E
 • elevation566 m (1,857 ft)
MouthUrban stream flowing into the River Derwent
 • location
Hobart
 • coordinates
42°52′38″S 147°20′22″E
 • elevation
22 m (72 ft)
Length7 km (4.3 mi)
Basin features
River systemDerwent catchment
[1]

Course and features

The rivulet rises on the slopes of Mount Wellington and flows generally northeast over O'Grady's Falls, Strickland Falls, through South Hobart and past what was known as the World Heritage-listed Cascades Female Factory towards the Hobart central business district. As a result of urban development, the natural course has been altered significantly. The lower portion of the rivulet has been piped through the city and runs below the central city area. The rivulet emerges again near the Royal Hobart Hospital on Collins Street before flowing underneath the Cenotaph and emptying into the Derwent.[2][3] The rivulet descends 544 metres (1,785 ft) over its 7.3-kilometre (4.5 mi) course.[1]

Regular tours of the rivulet once took place under the CBD.[4] The sandstone Wellington Bridge (1841) over the rivulet lies under the Elizabeth Street Mall, and is visible through a viewing portal there.[5][2][6]

  • Underneath Hobart
    Underneath Hobart
  • At Barrack Street
    At Barrack Street
  • At Collins Street
    At Collins Street
  • At Collins Street
    At Collins Street
  • At Harrington Street
    At Harrington Street
  • At Molle Street
    At Molle Street
  • At Molle Street
    At Molle Street

History

The rivulet was an important source of drinking water for the Mouheneener Aborigines, and later for the first European settlers.[7] The site for Hobart was originally chosen in part due to the availability of fresh water from the rivulet.[7] Because of the pure water of the upper portion of the rivulet, the Cascade Brewery was built beside it.[8] There were several typhoid epidemics during the late 19th century due to poor water quality further downstream.[7] It was also an important source of energy for early industry in Hobart.[7] There are multiple old bridges over the Hobart Rivulet. The oldest is the Wellington Bridge that is on Elizabeth Street built in 1841. Second oldest is the Harrington Street Bridge built in 1844. Third oldest is the Molle Street Bridge built in 1866.

See also

References
  1. "Map of Hobart Rivulet, TAS". Bonzle Digital Atlas of Australia. 2015. Retrieved 29 June 2016.
  2. Raabus, Carol; Saunders, Louise (11 October 2013). "Time to reveal Hobart's hidden rivulet". Australia, Hobart: ABC News. Retrieved 29 June 2016.
  3. "Hobart Rivulet". Visit. Tasmanian Government. February 2004.
  4. AboutAustralia.com.au – Hobart Rivulet Tours
  5. "Engineering Heritage Walk leaflet". Engineers Australia.
  6. further item on ABC http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-08-01/going-underground-in-the-hobart-rivulet/7676134?section=tas
  7. The Companion to Tasmanian History – Hobart Rivulet
  8. Vaisutis, Justine; Blond, Becca; Brown, Lindsay (2007). Australia. Lonely Planet. p. 620. ISBN 978-1-74104-310-5.


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