The 5 Longest Rivers in Australia

Australia is home to some of the world's most glorious rivers and river systems. We're a country known for its abundance of natural beauty, and our river systems are a huge part of that. Not only amazing to look at, but Australia's rivers are also part of a huge ecosystem that supports a vast number of animal species.

In fact, our Australian rivers are so impressive that many of them have become popular tourist attractions. Here's the 5 longest rivers in Australia

The Murray River - 2508 kms

The Murray River essentially dwarfs every other major river in Australia. It begins in the Australian Alps in New South Wales and stretches all the way down to South Australia. In fact, the Murray River is so long that it forms the border between New South Wales and Victoria. A fun fact though, is that only 11kms of the Murray River is considered to be part of Victoria.

The Murray River is a popular destination for tourists eager to experience its beauty on Murray River cruises. People can spend anywhere from one night to seven nights cruising along the Murray, taking in its magical scenery.

Murrumbidgee River - 1485 kms

The Murrumbidgee River is actually a major tributary of the Murray River, making it part of the vast Murray-Darling basin. It begins at the foot of Peppercorn Hill in the Fiery Range of the Snowy Mountains, and flows through the Australian Capital Territory before meeting the Murray River at Boundary Bend.

The Murrumbidgee River is also home to many animal species, and includes nature reserves along the way. There's also eight recreation reserves and a European heritage conservation zone.

Darling River - 1472 kms

The Darling River is only slightly shorter than the Murrumbidgee, and is also a tributary for the giant Murray River. Another part of the Murray-Darling basin, the Darling River runs from the joining of the Culgoa and Barwon rivers near Bourke, New South Wales through to its confluence with the Murray near Wentworth, New South Wales.

Unfortunately, the Darling River has suffered in recent years through prolonged drought and declining water quality. Despite that, it remains one of the most famous rivers in Australia with plenty of cultural history attached.

Lachlan River - 1339 kms

Another river in New South Wales, the Lachlan River takes 4^th place on this list. It's part of the Murrumbidgee catchment, so effectively it is also part of the Murray-Darling Basin. Technically though, its only part of the basin when both the Lachlan and the Murrumbidgee are in flood. It's actually the only river in New South Wales with significant wetlands along its banks, rather than just at its end.

Beginning in the Great Dividing Range, the river flows throughout New South Wales, joining with 37 other tributaries before coming to an end near Oxley, New South Wales.

Cooper Creek - 1113 kms

Finally, a river outside of New South Wales makes the list, with the 1113 km Cooper Creek coming in at number 5. Cooper Creek rises in the Great Dividing Range, and makes its way towards Lake Eyre in South Australia. It doesn't experience as much flooding as other Australian Rivers, and in some year's evaporates before reaching Lake Eyre.

Cooper Creek is famously known as the site where explorers Burke and Wills died in 1861.