Australia is the driest mainland. The main part of it, as well as the island of Tasmania and several other islands, is occupied by the state of Australia. Most of the mainland is occupied by plains.
The water resources of the continent are not so great, this continent is considered the poorest in the number of rivers. Most of the rivers are shallow and small, among them there are those that are filled with water during the rainy season (“screaming”).
Australia's longest rivers are far from record holders, although there are exceptions, such as Murray. We will tell you about the longest and largest flows of the mainland, as well as the nearby island of Tasmania and other islands.
List
- 10. Victoria, 780 km
- 9. Ashburton, 825 km
- 8. Dayamantina, 941 km
- 7. Gascoigne, 978 km
- 6. Fly, 1,050 km
- 5. Sepik, 1,126 km
- 4. Loklan, 1,339 km
- 3. Coopers Creek - Barku, 1,420 km
- 2. Marrambigi, 1,485 km
- 1. Murray - Darling, 3,370 km
10. Victoria, 780 km
The river is located in the Northern Territory. It was first investigated by the English captain J. Wickham in 1839. He named her after Queen Victoria of England. After that, the river was forgotten for 16 years. Only after this traveler Gregory with a team of 18 people, which included several scientists, climbed upstream, and also explored its influx.
In 1879, Alexander Forrest's expedition headed to these places to continue exploring the river. It was found that it originates in a hilly area near Hooker Creek, and flows into the Timor Sea.
On the banks of this river are several settlements. Victoria It becomes full-flowing from December to March. In the lower reaches of the river there are wetlands where many birds live.
9. Ashburton, 825 km
This is a shallow river located in Western Australia; in dry years, it dries completely. They used to call her Curly. But in 1861, F. Gregory, her discoverer, decided to name her in honor of the President of the Royal Geographical Society, William Bingham Baring, who was also the second Baron Ashburton.
The river has many tributaries, streams and small streams. It flows into the Indian Ocean near the city of Onslow. Ashburton rich in fish. Australian bustards, black swans and other birds live along its shores.
8. Dayamantina, 941 km
The source of the river is located near Longrich, in Queensland, and it flows into the Goyder Lagoon, a swamp. When the flood begins, Diamantine flows out of the swamp and merges with another river, Georgina, forming a new one called Warburton Creek.
A lot of precipitation falls from December to March, and the rest of the time their amount is minimal. The climate in this territory is arid, in January it is about 37 ° C, and in winter it does not drop below 11 ° C, although sometimes there are frosts of up to - 1.8 ° C.
The river received its name in honor of Dayamantina Roma. That was the name of the wife of the first Governor of Queensland. The largest city located off its shores is Winton. There are many pastures in her basin.
7. Gascoigne, 978 km
It is considered the longest river in Western Australia. It originates in the hills of Robinson, flows into the Indian Ocean. She has about 36 tributaries.
In the dry season Gascoigne completely dry. At the mouth of the river is the city of Carnarvon. Discovered this river in 1839, Lieutenant George Gray gave it such a name in honor of his friend, captain J. Gascoigne.
6. Fly, 1,050 km
A large river flows along the island of New Guinea. It begins in the Star mountains, at the source fast, with rapids, and then, on the plains, more calm. It flows into the Coral Sea. During the rainy season, from October to April, it spreads widely.
The name of the river was given by Captain Francis Price Blackwood, who studied the Papua Gulf in 1842. He sailed there on the ship “Fly” and decided to also name the river. Near the river there are gold mines and copper mines, which bring more than a quarter of the income from the entire state budget of Papua New Guinea.
But the toxic waste of ore mining causes great harm to the river Flydestroy fish and all living things. River spills contribute to the fact that toxic waste falls on plantations of sago, taro, bananas, namely they are the basis of local residents' nutrition.
5. Sepik, 1,126 km
It is considered the longest river in New Guinea. It begins in the mountains of Victor Emmanuel, and at the end flows into the Bismarck Sea. Its course is a chain of smooth bends, the width of which is from 5 to 10 km. Around its shores are the most diverse landscapes: swampy lowlands, and mountainous terrain, and areas overgrown with tropical forests.
Sepik was the nurse of the indigenous tribes who settled here 60-45 thousand years ago. Their life has changed little over thousands of years. They came up with many interesting rituals, and also created unique works of art from wood.
The region of this river is poorly developed economically; the natives tribe feed on what they find in the forest and on the river. They live in small houses called "tambarans." Due to the fact that minerals could not be found in the river basin, large cities and mines did not appear here, i.e. life has not changed much.
4. Loklan, 1,339 km
This river is located in the state of New South Wales. Once upon a time there lived the Virajuri tribe, which called the Kalare River. But in 1815, researcher Evans named it after the governor of this state, Laclan Macquarie.
It was originally believed that there is another river that everyone called Fish. But later it turned out that too Loklan. Now the river is used for irrigation of coastal lands. The water level in it is constantly changing. It is especially high in spring and summer, during which period it becomes navigable.
3. Coopers Creek - Barku, 1,420 km
This is a drying river that originates in Queensland, and then flows through South Australia, flowing into Lake Eyre.
Coopers Creek was of great importance to the natives. It was a source of water, as well as fish, they traveled on it in boats. In 1845 and 1846, this river was explored by Charles Sturt and Thomas Mitchell. The first of them decided to give her a name in honor of his friend Charles Cooper.
The river is filled with water only during the rainy season. Along its shores are many natural pastures, and fertile lands are also spread. The climate in this area is arid and hot.
2. Marrambigi, 1,485 km
The source is in the Australian Alps, then flows through New South Wales and the Australian Capital Territory and flows into Murray.
Its water is needed to irrigate fields where locals grow wheat, grapes, citrus fruits, rice and cotton. In this place once lived the Virajuri tribes, which gave the name of the river.
Marrambigi can translate how “Very nice place” or "Big water". The river valley is very beautiful, with picturesque views. There are several nature reserves, you can go fishing or canoeing. The river flows through several large cities.
1. Murray - Darling, 3,370 km
The river itself and its longest tributary Darling are the largest river system of the continent. Darling is located in New South Wales. In the dry season in the lower reaches it dries up. It stretches for 1,472 km, is the 2nd longest river in Australia.
Its shores have deposits of silver, gold and copper. It is famous for its sights: here you can see the ancient sites, fishing traps and shrines of the natives, which are about 40 thousand years old.
Murray - the largest river of the continent. It begins in the Australian Alps, and flows into the Indian Ocean. Rabbits and carps, which were brought into the country, had a negative effect on the local flora. The former destroyed vegetation along the banks of the river, which led to soil erosion. And carps loosened the soil of the riverbed, interfering with the growth of algae.