Howqua River

Last updated

Howqua
Howqua River Bridge 002.JPG
The Howqua River, upstream of the Howqua Inlet and the settlement of Howqua, in 2012
Australia Victoria relief location map.jpg
Red pog.svg
Location of the Howqua River mouth in Victoria
Etymologymultiple possible derivations [1]
Native namePyerlite (Daungwurrung) [2]
Location
Country Australia
State Victoria
Region Alpine bioregion (IBRA), Victorian Alps
Local government area Shire of Mansfield
Physical characteristics
Source Victorian Alps, Great Dividing Range
 • locationbelow Mount Howitt
 • coordinates 37°10′43″S146°37′46″E / 37.17861°S 146.62944°E / -37.17861; 146.62944
 • elevation1,680 m (5,510 ft)
Mouth confluence with the Goulburn River
 • location
 Lake Eildon
 • coordinates
 37°13′48″S146°5′54″E / 37.23000°S 146.09833°E / -37.23000; 146.09833 Coordinates: 37°13′48″S146°5′54″E / 37.23000°S 146.09833°E / -37.23000; 146.09833
 • elevation
265 m (869 ft)
Length65.6 km (40.8 mi)
Discharge 
 • location lake
Basin features
River system Goulburn Broken catchment,
Murray-Darling basin
Tributaries 
 • leftLickhole Creek
 • rightBlack Dog Creek, Little Buller Creek, Stockyard Creek, Dungeon Gully Creek
National park Alpine National Park
[3]

The Howqua River, a minor inland perennial river of the Goulburn Broken catchment, part of the Murray-Darling basin, is located in the Alpine region of the Australian state of Victoria. The headwaters of the Howqua River rise below Mount Howitt in the western slopes of the Victorian Alps, and descend to flow into the Goulburn River within Lake Eildon.

Contents

Location and features

The river rises below Mount Howitt on the western slopes of the Victorian Alps, within the Alpine National Park in the Shire of Mansfield. The river flow generally west, joined by five minor tributaries, before reaching its confluence with the Goulburn River within Lake Eildon, created by the Eildon Weir. The river descends 1,410 metres (4,630 ft) over its 66-kilometre (41 mi) course. [3]

Cultural references

The Howqua valley was seasonally occupied by the Taungurung people with the valley being a major route for trade or war between tribes in the area. [4] The Howqua River valley contains a number of archaeological sites of significance including at least two quarry sites for greenstone, an exceptionally hard rock used for stone axes, spears and other cutting tools which the Taungurung traded with other tribes. [5]

The character of Billy Slim in Nevil Shute's 1952 novel The Far Country was based on Fred Fry, a notable fly fisherman, who constructed several huts along the Howqua River and eked out a quiet existence in the river valley. [6]

The Howqua River was one of just thirteen locations worldwide featured on the fly fishing documentary television series A River Somewhere . [7]

Howqua River at Tunnel Bend Howqua River tunnel bend panorama.jpg
Howqua River at Tunnel Bend

Etymology

In the Aboriginal Woiwurrung and Taungurung languages, the river is named Pyerlite, with no clearly defined meaning. [2]

There are four possible origins of the river's current name: firstly, after John "Howka" Hunter (1820–68), a pastoralist; secondly, a portmanteau name from Mount Howitt, where the river rises, and aqua; thirdly, after Howqua, a popular brand of Chinese tea in the early nineteenth century; and fourthly, after Akin Howqua (Ah Kin Wowqua), a Chinese surveyor and early resident of Melbourne. [1] [8]

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mansfield, Victoria</span> Town in Victoria, Australia

Mansfield is a small town in the foothills of the Victorian Alps in the Australian state of Victoria. It is approximately 180 kilometres (110 mi) north-east of Melbourne by road. The population around Mansfield was 4,787 as at the 2016 census. The town itself has 3410 persons.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Goulburn River</span> River in Victoria, Australia

The Goulburn River, a major inland perennial river of the Goulburn Broken catchment, part of the Murray-Darling basin, is located in the Alpine, Northern Country/North Central, and Southern Riverina regions of the Australian state of Victoria. The headwaters of the Goulburn River rise in the western end of the Victorian Alps, below the peak of Corn Hill before descending to flow into the Murray River near Echuca, making it the longest river in Victoria at 654 kilometres (406 mi). The river is impounded by the Eildon Dam to create Lake Eildon, the Eildon Pondage, the Goulburn Weir and Waranga Basin.

Eildon is a town in central Victoria, Australia. It is located near Lake Eildon, on the Goulburn Valley Highway, in the Shire of Murrindindi local government area. At the 2016 census, Eildon had a population of 974.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Taungurung</span>

The Taungurung people, also spelt Daung Wurrung, are an Aboriginal people who are one of the Kulin nations in present-day Victoria, Australia. They consist of nine clans whose traditional language is the Taungurung language.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Broken River (Victoria)</span> River in Victoria, Australia

The Broken River, a minor inland perennial river of the Goulburn Broken catchment, part of the Murray–Darling basin, is located in the Alpine and Northern Country/North Central regions of the Australian state of Victoria. The headwaters of the Broken River rise in the western slopes of the Victorian Alps, near Bald Hill and descend to flow into the Goulburn River near Shepparton. The river is impounded by the Nillahcootie Dam to create Lake Nillahcootie and Benalla Dam to create Lake Benalla.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mount Stirling</span> Mountain in Victoria, Australia

Mount Stirling is a mountain in the Victorian Alps of the Great Dividing Range, located in the Hume region of Victoria, Australia. The mountain has an elevation of 1,747–1,749 metres (5,732–5,738 ft) above sea level.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">King River (Victoria)</span> River in Victoria (Australia)

The King River, a perennial river of the North-East Murray catchment of the Murray-Darling basin, is located in the Alpine and Hume regions of Victoria, Australia. It flows from the northwestern slopes of the Alpine National Park in the Australian Alps, through the King Valley, and joining with the Ovens River at the rural city of Wangaratta.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mount Howitt</span> Mountain in Victoria, Australia

Mount Howitt, also known as Toot-buck-nulluck in the Gunai language, is a mountain in Victoria, Australia, named for Alfred William Howitt. Located in the Wonangatta Moroka Unit of the Alpine National Park approximately 170 km north-east of Melbourne.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Delatite River</span> River in Victoria, Australia

The Delatite River, an inland perennial river of the Goulburn Broken catchment, part of the Murray-Darling basin, is located in the lower South Eastern Highlands bioregion and Northern Country/North Central regions of the Australian state of Victoria. The headwaters of the Delatite River rise on the western slopes of the Victorian Alps and descend to flow into the Goulburn River within Lake Eildon.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mount Buggery (Alpine Shire, Victoria)</span> Mountain in Victoria, Australia

Mount Buggery is a mountain located in the Alpine Shire within the Alpine National Park in the alpine region of Victoria, Australia. The mountain is located on the end of a ridgeline known as the Crosscut Saw between Mount Speculation and Mount Howitt, both located 4 kilometres (2.5 mi) to the south of Mount Buggery.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">County of Wonnangatta</span> Cadastral in Victoria, Australia

The County of Wonnangatta is one of the 37 counties of Victoria which are part of the cadastral divisions of Australia, used for land titles. It includes the western parts of the Alpine National Park. The Wonnangatta River is located in the east of the county. Lake Eildon is at the northwestern edge. Mount Buller is on the northern edge.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mount Terrible (Victoria)</span> Mountain in Victoria, Australia

Mount Terrible is a mountain within the Great Dividing Range, located to the south-west of Kevington in Victoria, Australia. The mountain is located within the 100 hectares Mount Terrible Natural Features and Scenic Reserve.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Moroka River</span> River in Victoria, Australia

The Moroka River is a perennial river of the Mitchell River catchment, located in the Alpine region of the Australian state of Victoria.

The Wonnangatta River is a perennial river of the Mitchell River catchment, located in the Alpine and East Gippsland regions of the Australian state of Victoria.

The Dry River is a perennial river of the Mitchell River catchment, located in the Alpine region of the Australian state of Victoria.

The Buffalo River, a perennial river of the North-East Murray catchment of the Murray-Darling basin, is located in the Alpine region of Victoria, Australia. It flows from the eastern slopes of the Buffalo Range in the Australian Alps, joining with the Ovens River west of Myrtleford.

The Taponga River, an inland perennial river of the Goulburn Broken catchment, part of the Murray-Darling basin, is located in the lower South Eastern Highlands bioregion, Alpine and Northern Country/North Central regions of the Australian state of Victoria. It flows from the northwestern slopes of the Australian Alps, north and joins with the Big River.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Big River (Goulburn River, Victoria)</span> River in Victoria, Australia

The Big River, an inland perennial river of the Goulburn Broken catchment, part of the Murray-Darling basin, is located in the lower South Eastern Highlands bioregion and Northern Country/North Central regions of the Australian state of Victoria. The headwaters of the Big River rise on the northern slopes of the Yarra Ranges and descend to flow into the Goulburn River within Lake Eildon.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Murrindindi River</span> River in Victoria, Australia

The Murrindindi River, an inland perennial river of the Goulburn Broken catchment, part of the Murray-Darling basin, is located in the lower South Eastern Highlands bioregion and Northern Country/North Central regions of the Australian state of Victoria. The headwaters of the Murrindindi River rise on the western slopes of the Victorian Alps and descend to flow into the Yea River.

The Royston River, an inland perennial river of the Goulburn Broken catchment, part of the Murray-Darling basin, is located in the lower South Eastern Highlands bioregion and Northern Country/North Central regions of the Australian state of Victoria. The headwaters of the Royston River rise on the western slopes of the Victorian Alps and descend to flow into the Rubicon River.

References

  1. 1 2 "Howqua River: 2050: Historical Information". 12 August 2011. Archived from the original on 25 July 2014. Retrieved 16 July 2014.
  2. 1 2 "Howqua River: 3865: Historical Information: Pyerlite". 12 August 2011. Archived from the original on 25 July 2014. Retrieved 16 July 2014.
  3. 1 2 "Map of Howqua River". Bonzle Digital Atlas of Australia. Retrieved 16 July 2014.
  4. ↑ Wonnangatta-Moroka Planning Unit, Alpine National Park Management Plan Archived 31 March 2012 at the Wayback Machine , Department of Conservation and Environment, September 1992, p68
  5. ↑ Wonnangatta-Moroka Planning Unit, Alpine National Park Management Plan Archived 31 March 2012 at the Wayback Machine , Department of Conservation and Environment, September 1992, p69
  6. ↑ "Howqua Hills Historic Area, Visitors Guide" (PDF). Parks Victoria (PDF). Victorian Government. November 2011. Retrieved 4 March 2012.
  7. ↑ "A River Somewhere - Series 1 and 2". ABC Shop Online. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Archived from the original on 9 April 2011. Retrieved 27 December 2010.
  8. ↑ Lloyd, Brian (7 April 1974). "J. L. Howqua". Mansfield Courier.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.