Ashburton River

Ashburton River
Ashburton River at Nanutarra
Origin	Pilbara region
Mouth	Indian Ocean 45 km ESE of Onslow
Basin countries	Australia
Length	680 kilometres (423 mi)
Source elevation	571 metres (1,873 ft)[1].
Basin area	66,850 square kilometres (25,811 sq mi)

The Ashburton River is located within the Pilbara region of Western Australia. The river rises approximately 100km South of Newman and flows in a West North Westerly direction until discharging into the Indian Ocean approximately 20km South West of Onslow. The river crosses the North West Coastal Highway at Nanutarra. The river has a length of approximately 680 km. The river basin covers an area of 66,850 km² and includes the towns of Paraburdoo and Tom Price. ^[2].

Tributaries

Some of the larger tributaries of the Ashburton river include Beasley River, Henry river, Hardey River and Ethel river.^[3] Some of the smaller tributaries include Duck Creek, Turee Creek, Tunnel Creek, Angelo River, Stockyard Creek, Gorge Creek, Goldfields Creek, Peepingee Creek and Jubricoo Creek.

History

The township of Onslow used to be located at the mouth of the Ashburton river where a jetty was used as the town's and region's port, but once the new deep water port facility was completed at Beadon point (15km north of the old townsite) the townsite was moved. ^[4]

Fauna

The river supports a wide variety of fish including barramundi and Mangrove Jack. ^[5] The occasional salt water crocodile is also spotted in the river.^[6] Bird species such as Back swans, the Striated Heron ^[7], Australia bustard and Bush Stonecurlew can be found along the rivers banks.

References

Coordinates: 21°40′S 114°56′E / 21.667°S 114.933°E / -21.667; 114.933