Taponga River facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Taponga |
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| Other name(s) | Wild Dog |
| Country | Australia |
| State | Victoria |
| Region | South Eastern Highlands bioregion (IBRA), Victorian Alps, Northern Country/North Central |
| Local government area | Murrindindi Shire |
| Physical characteristics | |
| Main source | Victorian Alps, Great Dividing Range below Rough Hill 837 m (2,746 ft) 37°27′35″S 145°58′35″E / 37.45972°S 145.97639°E |
| River mouth | confluence with the Big River southeast of Eildon 316 m (1,037 ft) 37°22′4″S 146°3′30″E / 37.36778°S 146.05833°E |
| Length | 15 km (9.3 mi) |
| Basin features | |
| River system | Goulburn Broken catchment, Murray-Darling basin |
The Taponga River is a beautiful river in Victoria, Australia. It's a perennial river, which means it flows all year round. This river is part of the larger Murray-Darling basin, a huge river system in Australia. The Taponga River starts in the Australian Alps and flows north. It eventually joins another river called the Big River.
Where Does the Taponga River Flow?
The Taponga River begins its journey below a place called Rough Hill. This hill is part of the Great Dividing Range, a long chain of mountains. The river then flows mostly north through the Big River State Forest. Along its way, four smaller streams join the Taponga River. Finally, it meets the Big River, south of a town called Eildon. The river drops about 521 meters (1,709 feet) over its 15-kilometer (9.3-mile) path.
What Does the Name Taponga Mean?
The name Taponga comes from the Australian Aboriginal Daungwurrung language. In this language, the word tap means a bronzewing pigeon. So, the river's name is linked to this type of bird. In the past, people also called this river the Wild Dog River. Sometimes, it was known as the Right Hand Branch of the Big River.
Fun Activities: Fishing and Camping
The Taponga River is a great spot for outdoor fun, especially fishing.
- You can often catch many rainbow trout here. These fish usually weigh up to 220 grams (about half a pound).
- There are also some larger brown trout, especially between April and June.
- You might also find some small river blackfish in the water.
There's a camping area near the river too. It's about 19 kilometers (12 miles) east of Marysville. You can reach it by taking the Eildon–Jamieson Road or the Big River State Forest Road. The best part is that you don't need to book a spot; you can just show up and set up camp!
