Huon River

Huon River Taloonne
Lower reaches of the Huon River in winter
Location of the Huon River mouth in Tasmania
Etymology	Jean-Michel Huon de Kermadec, a French explorer
Native name	Taloonne (Southeast Tasmanian)
Location
Country	Australia
State	Tasmania
Region	South-west, South-east Tasmania
Cities	Judbury, Ranelagh, Huonville, Franklin, Cygnet (Port Cygnet)
Physical characteristics
Source	Marsden Range
• location	Southwest National Park below Junction Hill
• coordinates	42°54′S 146°20′E / 42.900°S 146.333°E / -42.900; 146.333
• elevation	578 m (1,896 ft)
Mouth	D'Entrecasteaux Channel
• location	Surveyors Bay
• coordinates	43°16′52″S 147°6′51″E / 43.28111°S 147.11417°E / -43.28111; 147.11417
Length	174 km (108 mi)
Width
• maximum	5 kilometres (3.1 mi)
Depth
• average	3 metres (9.8 ft)
• maximum	12 metres (39 ft)
Basin features
Tributaries
• left	Weld River, Russell River, Little Denison River, Mountain River
• right	Anne River, Cracroft River, Picton River, Arve River
National park	Southwest National Park
[1]

The Huon River (/ˈhjuːɒnˈrɪvə/ HYOO-on-RIV-ə, Mellukerdee/palawa kani: Taloonne)^[2] is a perennial river located in the south-west and south-east regions of Tasmania, Australia. At 174 kilometres (108 mi) in length, the Huon River is the fifth-longest in the state, with its course flowing east through the fertile Huon Valley and emptying into the D'Entrecasteaux Channel, before flowing into the Tasman Sea.

At its mouth, the Huon River is over 5 kilometres (3.1 mi) wide, and in the lower reaches, the river's average depth is 3 metres (9.8 ft), with maximum depths of up to 12 metres (39 ft). The Egg Islands, located in this lower tidal zone, serve as a significant ecological area due to their rich wetlands and birdlife.^[3]

The Huon River was historically a transportation route for early settlers, the timber industry, and agricultural goods. The development of roads in the Huon Valley over the 19th century eventually overtook the river as the primary transport route.^[4]