Wannon River

Wannon River is a river in Victoria, Australia. The total length of the river is approximately convert|220|km|mi|0|lk=on from its headwaters in the Grampians north of Dunkeld until it joins the Glenelg south of Casterton.

The river passes alongside Dunkeld and through the townships of Cavendish and Wannon. Hamilton, Coleraine and Penshurst lie within the river basin.Citation | author= Glenelg Hopkins Catchment Management Authority | title = Wannon Basin | url = http://www.glenelg-hopkins.vic.gov.au/catchmentprofile/wannon.asp | accessdate = 2008-05-23 ]

Of historic importance is the role of the river in the early settlement of the area by the Henty Brothers.

The main land use along the river is production of sheep for wool. Other land uses include production of sheep for prime lambs and cattle for beef.

Two waterfalls of note are found on the river approximately convert|20|km|mi|0|lk=on west of Hamilton: Wannon Falls and Nigretta Falls. These are tourist attractions with facilities for visitors.Citation
last = Southern Grampians Shire Council | title = Waterfalls | url = http://www.sthgrampians.vic.gov.au/Page/PagePrint.asp?Page_Id=117 | accessdate = 2008-05-23 ] Impressionist painter Louis Buvelot painted many scenes around the falls and the river in the 1880s.

The Division of Wannon,an Australian Electoral Division, held from 1955 until 1983 by former Prime Minister of Australia Malcolm Fraser is named after the river.

References

External Links

[http://maps.google.com/maps?q=-37.671619,141.841013&ie=UTF8&ll=-37.671619,141.841013&spn=-37.671619,141.841013&z=14&layer=c&cbll=-37.671619,141.841013&panoid=EmeE30Iz1DMWqnNXAGeGFw&cbp=1,0,,0,5/ Google Street View- The river at Wannon from the bridge on the Glenelg Highway]

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