The Powlett River (Boonwurrung: Kugerungmome) is a perennial river of the West Gippsland catchment, located in the West Gippsland region of the Australian state of Victoria.

Powlett
Powlett River is located in Victoria
Powlett River
Mouth of the Powlett River in Victoria
EtymologyIn honour of Frederick Powlett, the Commissioner of the District of Western Port[1][2][3]
Native nameKugerungmome  (Boonwurrung)[4]
Location
CountryAustralia
StateVictoria
RegionSouth East Coastal Plain (IBRA), West Gippsland
Local government areaBass Coast
Physical characteristics
SourceStrzelecki Ranges
 • locationnear Ellerside, north of Inverloch
 • coordinates38°32′38″S 145°44′35″E / 38.54389°S 145.74306°E / -38.54389; 145.74306
 • elevation42 m (138 ft)
MouthBass Strait
 • location
west of Wonthaggi
 • coordinates
38°35′0″S 145°30′39″E / 38.58333°S 145.51083°E / -38.58333; 145.51083
 • elevation
0 m (0 ft)
Length27 km (17 mi)
Basin features
River systemWest Gippsland catchment
Tributaries 
 • rightFoster Creek
[5][6]
Dalyston's Powlett River Walking tracks

Location and features

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The Powlett River rises on the southern slopes of the Strzelecki Ranges, near Ellerside, north of Inverloch, and flows generally west, joined by one minor tributary, before reaching its mouth within Bass Strait, west of Wonthaggi, within the Shire of Bass Coast. The river descends 40 metres (130 ft) over its 27 kilometres (17 mi) course.[6]

The river is traversed by the Bass Highway between Daylston and Wonthaggi.[6]

Etymology

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In the Aboriginal Boonwurrung language the name for the river is Kugerungmome, with no clearly defined meaning.[4]

The river was named in 1840 in honour of Frederick Powlett,[1] the Commissioner of the Western Port District.[2][3]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b Sales, P. M. "Powlett, Frederick Armand (1811–1865)". Australian Dictionary of Biography. Canberra: National Centre of Biography, Australian National University. ISBN 978-0-522-84459-7. ISSN 1833-7538. OCLC 70677943. Retrieved 7 August 2014.
  2. ^ a b Blake, Les (1977). Place names of Victoria. Adelaide: Rigby. p. 294. ISBN 0-7270-0250-3.
  3. ^ a b Bird, Eric (12 October 2006). "Place Names on the Coast of Victoria" (PDF). The Australian National Placename Survey (ANPS). Archived from the original (PDF) on 18 February 2011.
  4. ^ a b "Powlett River: 23828: Traditional Name: Kugerungmome". Vicnames. Government of Victoria. 2 May 1966. Archived from the original on 7 March 2014. Retrieved 7 March 2014.
  5. ^ "Powlett River: 23828". Vicnames. Government of Victoria. 2 May 1966. Archived from the original on 7 March 2014. Retrieved 7 March 2014.
  6. ^ a b c "Map of Powlett River, VIC". Bonzle Digital Atlas of Australia. Retrieved 7 March 2014.
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