Ovens River

The Ovens River, a perennial river of the north-east Murray catchment, part of the Murray-Darling basin, is located in the Alpine and Hume regions of the Australian state of Victoria.

Ovens
Ovens River at Wangaratta
Course of the Ovens River in Victoria
EtymologyIn honour of Major Ovens, the Secretary to Governor Thomas Brisbane[1]
Native name
Location
CountryAustralia
StateVictoria
RegionAustralian Alps (IBRA), Victorian Alps, Hume
Local government areasAlpine Shire, Wangaratta City, Moira Shire
Towns and citiesHarrietville, Bright, Porepunkah, Myrtleford, Wangaratta
Physical characteristics
SourceGreat Dividing Range
Source confluenceEast and West Branches of the Ovens River
 • locationHarrietville
 • coordinates36°53′15″S 147°3′45″E
 • elevation529 m (1,736 ft)
Mouthconfluence with the Murray River
 • location
near Bundalong
 • coordinates
36°2′15″S 146°10′38″E
 • elevation
125 m (410 ft)
Length191 km (119 mi)
Basin size7,778 km2 (3,003 sq mi)
Discharge 
 • average46 m3/s (1,600 cu ft/s)
Basin features
River systemNorth-East Murray catchment, Murray-Darling basin
Tributaries 
 • leftMorses Creek, Buckland River (Victoria), Buffalo River (Victoria), King River (Victoria)
National parksAlpine NP, Mount Buffalo NP
[4]

Location and features

Formed by the confluence of the East and West Branches of the river, the Ovens River rises in the Victorian Alps, at the settlement of Harrietville, sourced by runoff from high slopes located within the Alpine National Park and the Mount Buffalo National Park. The river flows generally north by west and is joined by eighteen tributaries including Morses Creek at Bright, the Buckland River at Porepunkah, the Buffalo River and then the King River at Wangaratta. The river descends 405 metres (1,329 ft) over its 191-kilometre (119 mi) course.[4] The Great Alpine Road follows much of the course of the river in its upper reaches.[4]

Ovens Valley

The river flows through the Ovens Valley, which is a popular tourist destination servicing the ski fields of Mount Hotham, Mount Buffalo and Falls Creek, the Alpine National Park and the Mount Buffalo National Park. Air sports such as gliding and paragliding are also practised here, and there is a hedge maze at Wandiligong. A disused railway line has been converted to the Murray to the Mountains Rail Trail, a cycle trail which stretches from Wangaratta and Beechworth to Bright.

There are several wineries in the area, and many hops farms. The wineries are a popular stop for cyclists on their touring rides.

Tobacco was a major industry in the valley until 2006; that year saw the British American Tobacco and Philip Morris companies decide to no longer buy Australian tobacco, and the Federal Government began implementing a plan to transition growers out of this industry.[5] Reminders of the valley's long and prosperous tobacco history continue to dot the valley, such as the many tobacco kilns.

Etymology

Hamilton Hume and William Hovell explored the area in 1824, naming the Ovens River in honour of Major John Ovens, the Secretary to Thomas Brisbane, the Colonial Governor of New South Wales.[1]

In the Aboriginal Waywurru language, the river has two names: Burwang, with no clearly defined meaning;[2] and Djerrang, meaning "leaf".[2]

List of towns

See also
  • The Ovens River at Porepunkah
    The Ovens River at Porepunkah
  • Tobacco crops in the Ovens Valley
    Tobacco crops in the Ovens Valley
  • The Ovens Valley, as seen from Mount Feathertop
    The Ovens Valley, as seen from Mount Feathertop

References
  1. "Ovens River: 23093: Historical Information". Vicnames. 17 June 2011. Archived from the original on 22 June 2014. Retrieved 22 June 2014.
  2. "Ovens River: 23093: Historical Information: Burwang". Vicnames. 12 August 2011. Retrieved 22 June 2014.
  3. "Ovens River: 23093: Historical Information: Djerrang". Vicnames. 12 August 2011. Retrieved 22 June 2014.
  4. "Map of Ovens River". Bonzle Digital Atlas of Australia. Retrieved 22 June 2014.
  5. Lee, Tim (10 June 2007). "Tobacco industry up in smoke" (transcript). Landline. Australia: ABC TV. Retrieved 28 December 2018.

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