Murray River - the largest water flow in Australia

The Murray River, together with its largest tributary (Darling), forms the largest river system in Australia. Its basin is 1 million square kilometers. This is 12% of the state territory. The river for the most part formed the boundaries between the two states: New South Wales and Victoria. Murray originates in the Australian Alps, flows to the northwest and flows into the Indian Ocean into the Alexandrina Lake. The river is rather shallow, especially at the present time. Its individual tributaries completely dry up, because water is irresponsibly taken for irrigation. The annual runoff is 14 km3, 11 of which are spent on agricultural needs. Irrigated adjacent areas, which give up to 40% of the vegetation of the entire state. The length of the Murray River is 2995 kilometers.

The Murray River Complex

The vast majority of Australia's rivers flow along the coasts. The Murray River on the map is in the east of the mainland, passes a little deeper into the ocean. It passes through many different natural complexes: mountains, forests, mountain forests, ponds and swamps. Murray passes through several lakes (Alexandrina, Kuroung and others), the salinity of which is quite different. The river is an Australian analog of the American Mississippi by its fullness and extent. In summer the river becomes full, in winter - it becomes shallow. In addition to Darling, it has many large enough tributaries: Goulburn, Mitta-Mitta, Marrambiji, Loddon, Ovens and Kompaspe.

History of the river

Originally, the Murray River was called Hume. It was discovered in the first quarter of the 19th century by the expedition of the colonists Howell and Hume. In honor of the latter and was named. A few years later another expedition explored the river in detail. Then it got its present name. Head of the expedition, Sturt decided to leave the name of the Australian colonies minister George Murray in the centuries. The river was immediately used as a waterway for the transport of goods. Mostly it was wool, which was carried to the southern coast of Australia, where it was exported to the UK. The Murray River entered the irrigation system in 1887 with the light hand of William Chuffey. On the banks were built dams and locks, which began to feed fruit gardens, vineyards and cotton fields. This continues to this day.

The Legend of the River

Legends are peculiar to each locality, they are not alien to them and the territory where the Murray River is located. Once a former convict Hopwood decided to found a city on the waterway of Australia near Melbourne. On the banks he built several taverns, and on the river - a ferry. The schedule of the vessel was carefully thought out and provided for a long wait. Of course, the passengers spent their time in entertainment, where much money was spent. They were enough to build the town of Ichuchka. And when Australia was praised by the "gold rush" during the time of intensive trade in wheat, the settlement grew to such an extent that to this day the length of its embankment is more than 800 meters. And it was built from the eucalyptus massif.

Tourism

The Murray River attracts fishermen from all over the world with their fishing. There are many kinds of fish that are good prey: cod, silver and golden perch, Australian smelt, river trout, freshwater shrimp, eel and catfish. Boat bases have settled all along the river. Boats and boats are used for skiing on water. River cruises are popular. Here you can rent a ferry, a floating house or a barge. They are comfortable to relax and watch the beauty along the banks of Murray. These are eucalyptus forests, rainbow lorikety. The unique flora of Australia can not leave any tourist indifferent.