Major Rivers of Oceania

Many important rivers can be found throughout Oceania, which help to support local communities and shape the surrounding terrain. The area has a variety of waterways, ranging from the Murray River in Australia to the Sepik River in Papua New Guinea, which is the longest river on the island of New Guinea. Rivers like the Ok Tedi, Ramu, Purari, Turama, Kikori, Markham, Strickland, and Darling offer vital resources, act as thoroughfares, and support a variety of lifestyles including fishing, farming, and other activities.

Features of Major Rivers of Oceania

Here are the descriptions about major rivers of Oceania −

Sepik River

The Victor Emanuel Range in Papua New Guinea's central highlands is where the river has its origins. It runs northwest from its mountain sources near Telefomin before abruptly leaving the highlands around Yapsei. The river is 1,126 km long and has a drainage basin that is more than 80,000 km². The Fly River is the largest river in Oceania by flow volume, while the Sepik is the longest river on the island of New Guinea. A tiny portion of the river travels through the Indonesian state of Papua, while the rest of it passes through the Papua New Guinea (PNG) provinces of Sandaun, formerly West Sepik and East Sepik.

Murray River

Southeast Australia is home to the Murray River. With 2,508 km, it is Australia's longest river. The Murray originates in the Australian Alps, draining the western face of the tallest mountains in that country. It then meanders northwest across the inland plains of that country, defining the border between the states of New South Wales and Victoria as it flows into South Australia. Five of Australia's next six longest rivers are among its tributaries. The Murrumbidgee, Darling, Lachlan, Warrego, and Paroo Rivers fall within this category. The catchments of these rivers combine with the Murray's to form the Murray-Darling basin, which makes up around one-seventh of Australia's total land area. It is frequently regarded as the most significant irrigated region in Australia. The Murray is a component of the combined Murray-Darling River system, which spans 3,750 km.

Ok Tedi River

New Guinea has a river called the Ok Tedi. The Yonggom people who reside on its western bank refer to it as the Ok Tedi River; however, Italian explorer Luigi d'Albertis dubbed it the Alice River. The river's headwaters, which originate in the Star Mountains, are close to the Ok Tedi Mine. It is the Fly River's second-largest tributary. Although the river almost entirely flows through the North Fly District of Papua New Guinea's Western Province, it just briefly crosses Indonesia's international border. Tabubil, the biggest town in the Western Province, is situated close to its banks.

Ramu River

In the northern part of Papua New Guinea, the Ramu River is a significant river. People have lived near rivers for many centuries, and the rivers have served as the foundation for their food supply, mode of transportation, and cultural practices. The river's sources originate in the Kratke Range, from which point it flows 640 kilometres northwest to the Bismarck Sea. Numerous tributaries from the Finisterre and Adelbert, as well as the Bismarck Range to the south, are received by the Ramu during its course. The Ramu feeds the Ramu 1 power station as it enters Yonki Dam. On the Yonki Dam's toe, a hydroelectric facility was being built, however as of May 2011, building has been halted.

Purari River

Another name for the Purari is Puraari. It is a river that rises in the south-central highlands of Papua New Guinea, specifically in the Kandep District of Enga Province. It flows 630 kilometres through Gulf Province before emptying into the Gulf of Papua. It is primarily nourished by the Kaugel, Erave, Lai, Tua, and Pio rivers. It begins approximately south of Mount Karimui at the confluence of the Tua and Pio rivers and flows through an impressive gorge before discharging into the lowlands and delta region towards the ocean. At a significant distance from the waters of the Gulf of Papua, the river turns tide. The Purari is Papua New Guinea's third-largest river and has a drainage basin that is 33,670 km².

Turama River

A river in Papua New Guinea is called the Turama River. It is 302 kilometres long and 10 miles broad at the mouth before swiftly constricting. Tidal bores sweep up the river as a result of this and its location at the mouth of the Gulf of Papua. As far as 100 kilometres upstream, the effects are audible. Dick Randolph, a crocodile hunter and skin merchant, gathered this enormous Turama River gope board on the Turama river in the Papuan Gulf before 1964.

Kikori

On the island of New Guinea, the Kikori River is a significant river in southern Papua New Guinea. With its delta at the head of the gulf, the river's 445 km of total length runs southeast into the Gulf of Papua. On the delta is where the town of Kikori is located. In the Kikori catchment, there is an average rainfall of 5900 mm. large oil and gas reserves are located in the Kikori river basin, and they have been exploited since the 1990s. From Lake Kutubu to the Papua Gulf, an oil and gas pipeline (Papua New Guinea LNG Project) travels through the Kikori River system. The biodiversity of the Kikori river system is well-known.

Markham River

A river in eastern Papua New Guinea is called the Markham River. It begins in the Finisterre Range and travels 180 kilometres before emptying into the Huon Gulf near Lae. Captain John Moresby, R.N., gave the river its current name in 1873 in memory of Sir Clements Markham, the RGS's Secretary at the time. In Papua, a single-lane steel bridge measuring 1690 feet in length was opened in January 1955. It was the country's longest bridge at the time. The Markham flows southeast through the vast Central Depression in a network of braided channels, travelling 110 miles (180 km) to the Huon Gulf in the Solomon Sea, 3 miles (5 km) south of Lae.

Strickland River

The Strickland River is a significant river in Papua New Guinea's Western Province. With a total length of 824 km, including the Lagaip River, the Strickland River's farthest-reaching river source, it is the Fly River's longest and largest tributary. The 1885 New Guinea Exploration Expedition gave it its name in honour of Edward Strickland, vice-president of the Geographical Society of Australasia. Barrick Gold's Porgera Gold Mine is located close to the Strickland, which is the subject of local environmental worries. Barrick Gold has been directly disposing of mining waste, primarily metal particles or tailings, into rivers since 1992.

Darling River

The Darling River is the third-longest river in Australia, stretching 1,472 kilometres from its source in northern New South Wales to its confluence with the Murray River in Wentworth, New South Wales. The river served as the inspiration for the naming of the Division of Darling, Division of Riverina-Darling, Electoral District of Darling, and Electoral District of Lachlan and Lower Darling. Its 2,844 km length, which includes its longest contiguous tributaries, makes it Australia's largest river system. The Darling River is the most well-known stream in the outback.

List of Major Rivers of Oceania

Here's a table of major rivers in Oceania, their locations, and approximate lengths −

River	Location	Length (km)
Sepik River	Papua New Guinea	1,146
Murray River	Australia	2,508
Ok Tedi River	Papua New Guinea	207
Ramu River	Papua New Guinea	640
Purari River	Papua New Guinea	630
Turama River	Papua New Guinea	302
Kikori River	Papua New Guinea	445
Markham River	Papua New Guinea	180
Strickland River	Papua New Guinea	824
Darling River	Australia	1,472

Conclusion

Oceania has a number of prominent rivers that are important to the topography and way of life of the area. The longest river on the island of New Guinea is the Sepik River in Papua New Guinea, while the longest river in Australia is the Murray River. The Ok Tedi, Ramu, Purari, Turama, Kikori, Markham, Strickland, and Darling rivers are further significant rivers. These rivers maintain a variety of habitats, serve as channels for transportation, and support nearby communities through fishing, farming, and other endeavours.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which river is the longest in Oceania?

The Murray River, located in Australia, is the longest river in Oceania with a length of 2,508 kilometres.

Which river is the largest in terms of flow volume in Oceania?

The Fly River, also in Papua New Guinea, is the largest river in Oceania in terms of flow volume.

What is the significance of the Murray-Darling basin?

The Murray-Darling basin, formed by the Murray River and its tributaries, is a crucial irrigated region in Australia, covering around one-seventh of the country's total land area.

Where is the Ok Tedi River located?

The Ok Tedi River is located in Papua New Guinea's North Fly District, with a brief crossing into Indonesia.

What is the length of the Strickland River?

The Strickland River in Papua New Guinea has a length of 824 kilometres and is the longest and largest tributary of the Fly River.