Campaspe River

The Campaspe River’s journey begins north near Trentham in Victoria's central highlands to Echuca, where it meets the Murray River. And its tributary, the Coliban River, joins it at Lake Eppalock.

The Campaspe River’s health has been severely affected by the construction of reservoirs, the clearing of native vegetation, and farming and urban development.
The rivers are severely stressed, with no reaches in excellent or even good condition and drought and climate change are causing further decline.
The Coliban and Campaspe River supply Bendigo's drinking water but the largest demand for water comes form agriculture.

People who love and depend on the Campaspe River have many memories and insights to share – of swimming holes and picnic spots, of majestic basalt columns and lava caves, and of youngsters energetically protecting the ecosystem.

Take a minute and explore the Campaspe River through the eyes of these river champions…

Dennis Carter: A childhood memory and lifelong love

For a toddler, few vantage points beat the view from dad’s shoulders. It might be several decades since Dennis Carter traveled that way, but like the best childhood...

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Ann-Marie Monda: A home for "Holy Goat"

On a narrow ridge overlooking a dry creek bed, Ann-Marie Monda sifts rich black soil through her fingers. “For hundreds, perhaps tens of thousands of years this is where... more
Denise Acocks: Generations of stories to share

One wet morning in the mid-1930s, 15-year-old Grace Kennedy waded into the swollen floodwaters of the Campaspe River and made for the far bank, holding a... more
Marilyn Sprague: Water is her lifeline

In tough times, even the most logical minds can be tempted to try a little superstitious magic. So it was that Marilyn Sprague, one of many Bendigo locals... more
Paul Dullard: Nature is a great teacher

The hothouse, with its misty windowpanes and rows of bright green shoots, is one of Paul Dullard’s favourite spots at St Francis of the Fields, the primary school where... more

Tim Read: A majestic outdoor office

For anyone stuck at a desk all day, a nature-themed screensaver can brighten up a boring office view - perhaps a shot of a waterfall, a misty forest, birds in flight... more