Hopkins River

The Hopkins River, a perennial river of the Glenelg Hopkins catchment, is located in the Western District of Victoria, Australia.

Course and features
The Hopkins River rises below Telegraph Hill near, and flows generally south, joined by twelve tributaries including the Mount Emu Creek, before reaching its mouth and emptying into Bass Strait at. The river descends 338 m over its 271 km course. The river and its tributaries drain much of Lake Bolac; and north of the river descends over the 11 - 13 m Hopkins Falls.

Together with the Merri River, the Hopkins flows through the regional centre of Warrnambool; and the river passes by the end of the Great Ocean Road near Allansford.

River health
The Hopkins River is in extremely poor health with less than 5% of the river having natural bush and vegetation.

Re-vegetation
The Hopkins River Re-vegetation Project (HRRP) was commenced in 2016 by the Ellerslie Residents Group Inc.

Phase 1
Phase 1 of the HRRP project commenced in 2016 in Ellerslie. The Project is located between the Hopkins Highway bridge and the historic bridge.

Phase 2 & 3
Phases 2 & 3 of the project are planned to take place on the eastern bank between the phase 1 site and the Stony Creek Junction.

Etymology
The river was named in 1836 by Major Thomas Mitchell after a friend, Sir John Paul Hopkins.