Abercrombie River facts for kids
The Abercrombie River is an important river in New South Wales, Australia. It starts its journey at Mount Werong and flows west. The river eventually joins the Lachlan River at Wyangala Lake, near the town of Cowra. The Abercrombie River is a tributary of the Lachlan, meaning it's a smaller river that flows into a larger one.
About the Abercrombie River
The Abercrombie River is about 130 km (81 mi) long. It flows through the beautiful Abercrombie River National Park. This park helps protect the river and the animals that live there.
Wildlife and Nature
The Abercrombie River is home to many interesting animals. You might spot platypus swimming in its waters. Another animal found here is the rakali, also known as the Australian water-rat. The river also flows through a deep valley called the Abercrombie Gorge. The Goulburn-Oberon Road crosses the river in this steep area.
Early History
Long ago, the first people to live by the Abercrombie River were Indigenous Australians. They belonged to the Wiradjuri and Gandangara tribes. These groups may have used the river as a way to trade goods with other tribes.
The first European explorer to see the river was Charles Throsby. He discovered it on May 5, 1819. Throsby was on an expedition from Sydney to the Central West region of New South Wales.
The Gold Rush
In 1851, something exciting happened along the Abercrombie River. People discovered alluvial gold in the river and its banks. Alluvial gold is gold found in riverbeds. This discovery started a small gold rush in the area.
Finding gold was not easy because the land was rough. Also, the river's water levels changed often, making it hard to dig. Early miners could find up to 3 oz (85 g) of gold each day. By 1862, about 45 groups of miners were working at Milburne Creek. This creek is a smaller stream that flows into the Abercrombie River. The Abercrombie River is the most eastern of the rivers in New South Wales that flow inland.
