Werribee River

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Werribee
Werribee River at Exford, downstream from Melton Reservoir
Location of the Werribee River mouth in Victoria
Etymology	Aboriginal (Boonwurrung/Wathawurrung): wirribi meaning "backbone".[1][2]
Native name	Wirribi-yaluk (Wathawurrung)[1]
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 / -37.433; 144.167
• 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 / -37.97833; 144.69444
• 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
[3][4]

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).^[5]

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.