Werribee River
| Werribee | |
|---|---|
Werribee River at Exford, downstream from Melton Reservoir | |
| Etymology | Aboriginal (Boonwurrung/Wathawurrung): wirribi meaning "backbone". |
| Native name | Wirribi-yaluk (Wathawurrung) |
| Location | |
| Country | Australia |
| State | Victoria |
| Region | Victorian Midlands (IBRA), Western District, Port Phillip |
| Local government areas | Moorabool, Melton, Wyndham |
| Cities | Ballan, Bacchus Marsh, Werribee |
| Physical characteristics | |
| Source | Great Dividing Range |
| • location | Wombat State Forest near Korweinguboora |
| • coordinates | 37°26′S 144°10′E / 37.433°S 144.167°E |
| • elevation | 501 m (1,644 ft) |
| Mouth | Port Phillip |
• location | near Werribee South |
• coordinates | 37°58′42″S 144°41′40″E / 37.97833°S 144.69444°E |
• elevation | 9 m (30 ft) |
| Length | 110 km (68 mi) |
| Basin features | |
| River system | Port Phillip catchment |
| Tributaries | |
| • left | Lerderderg River, Toolern Creek |
| National park | Werribee Gorge State Park |
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).
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.