Darby River

The Darby River, a perennial river of the West Gippsland catchment, is located in the South Gippsland region of the Australian state of Victoria.

This article is about the river. For the former settlement, see Darby River, Victoria.

Darby
Darby River, as it meanders, looking north east from the foot of Darby Hill
Mouth of the Darby River in Victoria
Location
CountryAustralia
StateVictoria
RegionSouth East Coastal Plain (IBRA), South Gippsland
Local government areaSouth Gippsland Shire
Physical characteristics
SourceLatrobe Range
 • locationbelow Mount Latrobe
 • coordinates38°59′10″S 146°20′19″E
 • elevation310 m (1,020 ft)
MouthWhisky Bay, Bass Strait
 • location
Wilsons Promontory
 • coordinates
38°58′19″S 146°16′3″E
 • elevation
0 m (0 ft)
Length7 km (4.3 mi)
Discharge 
 • locationmouth
Basin features
River systemWest Gippsland catchment
National parkWilson's Promontory NP
[1]

Location and features

The Darby River rises below Mount Latrobe, part of the Latrobe Range, north of Wilsons Promontory and flows generally west by southwest before reaching its river mouth and emptying into Whisky Bay within Bass Strait in the South Gippsland Shire. The river descends 301 metres (988 ft) over its combined 7-kilometre (4.3 mi) course.[1] The river is in relatively pristine condition, with the only human interference being a bridge at the estuary. Native fish species include common galaxias, pouched lamprey, short-finned eel, tupong, flat-headed gudgeon and southern pigmy perch.[2]

The Darby River is contained entirely within the Wilson's Promontory National Park. The park entrance, ranger station and accommodation centre was located near Darby River from 1909 until World War II.[3] These facilities moved to Tidal River thereafter.[4]

The river is traversed by the Wilsons Promontory Road near the river mouth.[1] Heavy rains in March 2011 caused unprecedented flooding of the river, damaging the bridge carrying the Wilsons Promontory Road over the river; and stranding hundreds of campers who had to be evacuated by helicopter.[5]

See also

References
  1. "Map of Darby River, VIC". Bonzle Digital Atlas of Australia. Retrieved 26 February 2014.
  2. "Estuary Assessment Framework for Non-Pristine Estuaries: Estuary 917 (Darby River)" (PDF). Australia's Online Coastal Information. Geoscience Australia. Retrieved 26 February 2014.
  3. Garnet, J. Roslyn; Synan, Terry; Catrice, Daniel. "A History of Wilsons Promontory" (PDF). Victorian National Parks Association.
  4. "No. 7 Infantry Training Centre For Commandos". Australia @ War. Peter Dunn. 2 September 2007. Retrieved 26 February 2014.
  5. "Campers to be evacuated after bridge collapses". ABC News. Australia. 23 March 2011. Retrieved 26 February 2014.


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