Mooki River

Mooki River
Perennial stream[1]
Mooki River at Caroona
Name origin: Aboriginal: name given to the river by Aboriginal tribes roaming the lower reaches[1]
Country Australia
State New South Wales
Region IBRA: New England Tablelands
District Northern Tablelands
Municipality Gunnedah
Part of Namoi River, Murray–Darling basin
Primary source Liverpool Range
 - location south-west of Quirindi
 - elevation 351 m (1,152 ft)
Secondary source Omaleah Creek and Phillips Creek
Mouth confluence with the Namoi River
 - location north-east of Gunnedah
 - elevation 264 m (866 ft)
Length 128 km (80 mi)
[2]

Mooki River, a perennial stream that is part of the Namoi catchment within the Murray–Darling basin, is located in the Northern Tablelands district of New South Wales, Australia.

The river rises at the junction of Omaleah Creek and Phillips Creek, and forms below the Liverpool Range, south-west of Quirindi, and flows generally west of north, joined by three minor tributaries, before reaching its confluence with the Namoi River north-east of Gunnedah; descending 88 metres (289 ft) over its 128 kilometres (80 mi) course.[2]

The towns of Quirindi and Werris Creek lie within the basin of the Mooki River, much of which is prime agricultural land. Little natural vegetation remains in the plains but river gums and other trees grow on the banks of the Mooki River. The Kamilaroi Highway and the North-west railway line cross the Mooki River near Breeza.

History

The earliest recorded exploration of this area is that of John Oxley and his party travelling through here in August 1818. 'Mooki' was the name given to the river by Aboriginal tribes roaming the lower reaches.[1]

Major flooding occurred in and around Gunnedah when the Mooki River flooded in November 2000.[3]

Mention is made of the Mooki River in The Old Timer's Steeplechase by A. B. "Banjo" Paterson.[4]

Gallery

See also

References

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 "Mooki River". Geographical Names Register (GNR) of NSW. Geographical Names Board of New South Wales. Retrieved 10 February 2013.
  2. 2.0 2.1 "Map of Mooki River". Bonzle.com. Retrieved 10 February 2013.
  3. Wilga Tree
  4. Staff Web Page

External links

Coordinates: 30°58′S 150°17′E / 30.967°S 150.283°E