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Mooki River
Mooki River at Caroona
Etymology	Aboriginal: name given to the river by Aboriginal tribes roaming the lower reaches
Location
Country	Australia
State	New South Wales
Region	IBRA: New England Tablelands
District	Northern Tablelands
Municipality	Gunnedah, Liverpool Plains
Physical characteristics
Source	Liverpool Range
• location	south-west of Quirindi
• elevation	351 m (1,152 ft)
2nd 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)
Basin features
River system	Namoi River, Murray–Darling basin

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 starts 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.

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.

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

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

Gallery

• Mooki River at McDonagh Bridge, Oxley Highway, near Gunnedah.

See also

• Rivers of New South Wales
• List of rivers of Australia

References

1. ^ "Mooki River". Geographical Names Register (GNR) of NSW. Geographical Names Board of New South Wales. Retrieved 10 February 2013.
2. ^ "Map of Mooki River". Bonzle.com. Retrieved 10 February 2013.
3. Wilga Tree Archived 7 September 2008 at the Wayback Machine
4. Staff Web Page

External links

• "Namoi River catchment" (map). Office of Environment and Heritage. Government of New South Wales.

30°58′S 150°17′E / 30.967°S 150.283°E / -30.967; 150.283

• Rivers of New South Wales