Taponga River

Taponga
Wild Dog
River
Name origin: Aboriginal: tap, meaning bronzewing pigeon
Country	Australia
State	Victoria
Regions	South Eastern Highlands bioregion (IBRA), Victorian Alps, Northern Country/North Central
Local government area	Murrindindi Shire
Part of	Goulburn Broken catchment, Murray-Darling basin
Source	Victorian Alps, Great Dividing Range
- location	below Rough Hill
- elevation	837 m (2,746 ft)
- coordinates	37°27′35″S 145°58′35″E / 37.45972°S 145.97639°E / -37.45972; 145.97639
Mouth	confluence with the Big River
- location	southeast of Eildon
- elevation	316 m (1,037 ft)
- coordinates	37°22′4″S 146°3′30″E / 37.36778°S 146.05833°E / -37.36778; 146.05833Coordinates: 37°22′4″S 146°3′30″E / 37.36778°S 146.05833°E / -37.36778; 146.05833
Length	15 km (9 mi)
Location of the Taponga River mouth in Victoria

The Taponga River, an inland perennial river of the Goulburn Broken catchment, part of the Murray-Darling basin, is located in the lower South Eastern Highlands bioregion, alpine and Northern Country/North Central regions of the Australian state of Victoria. It flows from the northwestern slopes of the Australian Alps, north and joins with the Big River.

The Taponga River rises below Rough Hill, part of the Great Dividing Range and the river flows generally north by east through the Big River State Forest, joined by four minor tributaries before reaching its confluence with the Big River south of Eildon. The river descends 521 metres (1,709 ft) over its 15-kilometre (9.3 mi) course.

The name of the river is derived from the Australian Aboriginal Daungwurrung word tap, meaning a bronzewing pigeon. The river has variously been called the Wild Dog River and the Right Hand Branch of the Big River.

The river is popular for fishing, with abundant rainbow trout to 220 grams (7.8 oz) and a few large brown trout in the period from April to June. There are usually some small river blackfish.