Hobart Rivulet

{{Short description|River in Tasmania, Australia}} {{Use dmy dates|date=February 2022}} {{Use Australian English|date=July 2015}} {{Infobox river | name = Hobart | native_name = | native_name_lang = | name_other = | name_etymology =  | image = Strickland Falls Shadows Lifted.jpg | image_size = 280 | image_caption = Strickland Falls on the upper Hobart Rivulet | map = | map_size = 280 | map_caption = | pushpin_map = Australia Tasmania | pushpin_map_size = 280 | pushpin_map_caption= Location of the [[mouth (river)|river mouth]] in [[Tasmania]]  | subdivision_type1 = Country | subdivision_name1 = [[Australia]] | subdivision_type2 = [[States and territories of Australia|State]] | subdivision_name2 = [[Tasmania]] | subdivision_type3 = Region | subdivision_name3 = [[South East Tasmania|South East]] | subdivision_type4 = | subdivision_name4 = | subdivision_type5 = | subdivision_name5 =  | length = {{convert|7|km|mi|abbr=on}} | width_min = | width_avg = | width_max = | depth_min = | depth_avg = | depth_max = | discharge1_location= | discharge1_min = | discharge1_avg = | discharge1_max =  | source1 = [[Mount Wellington (Tasmania)|''kunanyi'' / Mount Wellington]] | source1_location = | source1_coordinates= {{coord|42|54|26|S|147|14|49|E|display=inline}} | source1_elevation = {{convert|566|m|abbr=on}} | mouth = Urban stream flowing into the [[River Derwent (Tasmania)|River Derwent]] | mouth_location = [[Hobart]] | mouth_coordinates = {{coord|42|52|38|S|147|20|22|E|display=inline,title}} | mouth_elevation = {{convert|22|m|abbr=on}} | progression = | river_system = [[River Derwent (Tasmania)|Derwent]] catchment | basin_size = | tributaries_left = | tributaries_right = | custom_label = | custom_data = | extra = <ref name=bonzle>{{cite web |url=http://www.bonzle.com.au/c/a?a=p&p=196069&cmd=sp |title=Map of Hobart Rivulet, TAS|work=Bonzle Digital Atlas of Australia |date=2015 |access-date=29 June 2016 }}</ref> }}

The '''Hobart Rivulet''', part of the [[River Derwent (Tasmania)|River Derwent]] catchment, is an [[urban stream]] located in the [[Hobart]] hinterland and flows through and underneath the city, in [[Tasmania]], Australia.

==Course and features==

The rivulet rises on the slopes of [[Mount Wellington (Tasmania)|Mount Wellington]] and flows generally northeast over O'Grady's Falls, Strickland Falls, through [[South Hobart]] and past what was known as the [[World Heritage List|World Heritage]]-listed [[Cascades Female Factory]] towards the Hobart central business district. As a result of urban development, the natural [[watercourse|course]] has been altered significantly. The lower portion of the rivulet has been piped through the city and runs [[subterranean river|below]] the central city area. The rivulet emerges again near the [[Royal Hobart Hospital]] on Collins Street before flowing underneath the [[Cenotaph]] and emptying into the Derwent.<ref name=abc/><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.tomw.net.au/2004/tas2004/index.shtml |publisher=Tasmanian Government |work=Visit |date=February 2004 |title=Hobart Rivulet }}</ref> The rivulet descends {{convert|544|m}} over its {{convert|7.3|km|adj=on}} course.<ref name=bonzle/>

Regular tours of the rivulet once took place under the CBD.<ref>[http://www.about-australia.com/travel-guides/tasmania/hobart/tours-cruises/half-day/hobart-rivulet-tours/ AboutAustralia.com.au – Hobart Rivulet Tours]</ref> The sandstone Wellington Bridge (1841) over the rivulet lies under the [[Elizabeth Street Mall]], and is visible through a viewing portal there.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.engineersaustralia.org.au/shadomx/apps/fms/fmsdownload.cfm?file_uuid=3FE031EE-FEA3-7C0A-BA0B-D3D120A557F9&siteName=ieaust |publisher=[[Engineers Australia]] |title=Engineering Heritage Walk leaflet }}</ref><ref name=abc>{{cite news |author1=Raabus, Carol |author2=Saunders, Louise |url=http://www.abc.net.au/local/stories/2013/10/11/3867261.htm |title=Time to reveal Hobart's hidden rivulet|publisher=[[ABC News (Australia)|ABC News]]|location=Australia, Hobart |date=11 October 2013 |access-date=29 June 2016 }}</ref><ref>further item on ABC http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-08-01/going-underground-in-the-hobart-rivulet/7676134?section=tas</ref>

{{gallery |Hobart Rivulet Underground.jpg|Underneath Hobart |Hobart Rivulet at Barrack Street.jpg|At Barrack Street |Hobart Rivulet at Collins Street.jpg|At Collins Street |Hobart Rivulet at Collins Street 2.jpg|At Collins Street |Hobart Rivulet at Harrington Street.jpg|At Harrington Street |Hobart Rivulet at Molle Street.jpg|At Molle Street |Hobart Rivulet at Molle Street 2.jpg|At Molle Street }}

==History== The rivulet was an important source of drinking water for the Mouheneener [[Tasmanian Aborigines|Aborigines]], and later for the first European settlers.<ref name="companion">[http://www.utas.edu.au/library/companion_to_tasmanian_history/H/Hobart%20Rivulet.htm The Companion to Tasmanian History – Hobart Rivulet]</ref> The site for Hobart was originally chosen in part due to the availability of fresh water from the rivulet.<ref name="companion" /> Because of the pure water of the upper portion of the rivulet, the [[Cascade Brewery]] was built beside it.<ref>{{cite book |first1=Justine |last1=Vaisutis |first2=Becca |last2=Blond |first3=Lindsay |last3=Brown |title=Australia |publisher=[[Lonely Planet]] |date=2007 |isbn=978-1-74104-310-5 |page=620 }}</ref> There were several typhoid epidemics during the late 19th century due to poor water quality further downstream.<ref name="companion" /> It was also an important source of energy for early industry in Hobart.<ref name="companion" /> There are multiple old bridges over the Hobart Rivulet. The oldest is the Wellington Bridge that is on Elizabeth Street built in 1841. Second oldest is the Harrington Street Bridge built in 1844. Third oldest is the Molle Street Bridge built in 1866.

== Ecology == [[File:Hobart Rivulet Platypus.jpg|alt=The Hobart Rivulet's famous resident|thumb|The Hobart Rivulet's celebrity resident.]] In June 2023, the City of Hobart published its first ever 'State of our Rivulets' report.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=STATE OF OUR RIVULETS |url=https://www.hobartcity.com.au/files/assets/public/v/1/council/strategies-plans-and-reports/state-of-our-rivulets.pdf |website=City of Hobart}}</ref> Hobart Rivulet was found to be healthier upstream than downstream, degrading gradually from its naturally forested headwaters to its urbanized mouth, where the rivulet enters the River Derwent.

===Platypus population=== The Hobart Rivulet is home to small population of urban [[platypus]]. A community organisation, Hobart Rivulet Platypus, was founded to raise awareness of the ecology of the rivulet, which was managed primarily as a storm drain. Pollution restricts the platypus population to upstream areas. Growing public awareness of the platypus population has led to better care of waste entering the rivulet.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.australiangeographic.com.au/nature-wildlife/2022/05/hobart-community-rallies-around-rivulet-platypus/ |title=Hobart community rallies around rivulet platypus |author=Candice Marshall |publisher=Australian Geographic |date=27 May 2022 |access-date=6 October 2025}}</ref>

==See also== {{stack|{{Portal|Australia|Environment|Water}}}} *{{Section link|List of rivers of Australia|Tasmania}}

== References == {{reflist}}{{Hobart landmarks}} {{Rivers of Tasmania |state=autocollapse}}

[[Category:Rivers of Hobart]] [[Category:Subterranean rivers]]