Hill River (Western Australia)

Hill River is a river in the Wheatbelt region of Western Australia.

For other uses, see Hill River.

Hill River
Location
CountryAustralia
Physical characteristics
Source 
 • location8 km (5 mi) east of Badgingarra
 • elevation328 metres (1,076 ft)[1]
Mouth 
 • location
Indian Ocean
 • elevation
sea level
Length86 kilometres (53 mi)
Basin size3,721 square kilometres (1,437 sq mi)[2]

Geography

The headwaters of the Hill River rise near Dinner Hill, approximately 8 kilometres (5 mi) east of Badgingarra. It then flows in a westerly direction, crossing the Brand Highway just north of Badgingarra, passing through the Hill River Nature Reserve and the northern boundary of the Southern Beekeeper's Nature Reserve and finally discharging into the Indian Ocean 8.7 kilometres (5 mi) south of Jurien Bay.

The river has four tributaries; Coomallo Creek, Winjardie Creek, Munbinea Creek and Boothendara Creek.

History

The river was seen and named by the explorer George Grey on 14 April 1839 during his second disastrous expedition along the Western Australian coast.[3][4]

It was likely named after Rowland Hill, well known for his inception of the Uniform Penny Post, but importantly for Grey, Secretary to the Colonization Commissioners for South Australia (under the South Australia Act 1834). Grey's friend and promoter William Hutt M.P. was also a Commissioner.[5] In the previous week, Grey had also named rivers after Hutt, Hutt's wife Mary Bowes, Hutt's business partner John Chapman and Charles Buller M.P., an active parliamentary proponent of the free colonization of South Australia.[3] In October 1840, at 28 years of age, Grey was appointed Governor of South Australia.[6]

Hill River development

In the 1990s a proposed utilization of coal deposits at Mount Lesueur 10 km north of the river by the Hill River Power Development Company Pty Ltd,[7][8] was abandoned in 1990 due to the creation of the Mount Leseuer National Park.[9]

Uses

The mouth of the Hill River is a popular camping destination and can be reached in a two-wheel drive vehicle. The river mouth is usually closed to the ocean by a sandbar, which opens up in periods of high river flow.

References
  1. "Bonzle Digital Atlas – Map of Hill River". 2009. Retrieved 12 July 2016.
  2. "Ribbons of Blue - Mid West Region". 2008. Archived from the original on 31 May 2009. Retrieved 12 March 2009.
  3. Grey, George (1841). Journals of two expeditions of discovery in North-West and Western Australia, during the years 1837, 38, and 39, describing many newly discovered, important, and fertile districts, with observations on the moral and physical condition of the aboriginal inhabitants, etc. etc. Vol. 2. London: T. and W. Boone. p. 263. Retrieved 17 March 2012.
  4. "History of river names – H". Western Australian Land Information Authority. Archived from the original on 19 April 2021. Retrieved 31 July 2012.
  5. "The foundation of South Australia". South Australian Register. 11 September 1869. p. 2. Retrieved 1 August 2012.
  6. "Grey, Sir George (1812–1898)". Australian Dictionary of Biography. National Centre of Biography, Australian National University. Retrieved 25 August 2011.
  7. Hill River project : notice of intent, [Canning Resources], 1989, retrieved 10 October 2023
  8. The Hill River project : environmental review and management programme, coal mine and coal-fired power station : draft environmental impact statement : coal-fired power station, Canning Resources, 1990, retrieved 10 October 2023
  9. "IN BRIEF - Mines now in national park in WA". The Canberra Times. Vol. 65, no. 20, 445. Australian Capital Territory, Australia. 4 April 1991. p. 11. Retrieved 10 October 2023 – via National Library of Australia.

30°23′12″S 115°03′05″E


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