From its source to the sea
This map illustrates the course of the Werribee River from it source in the Wombat forest down to the sea. To concentrate the course of a long river, down to the confines of a traditional cartographic shape I have used the ribbon map technique. The map is designed to highlight the access points.
If the Werribee River was a person it could be said to be living a fascinating life. It begins with a just a few trickles in the forest that merge and flow into a stream, that curls and twists between the ferns and orchids and the grasses and Grevilleas, beneath the tall Eucalypts.
In time it breaks free from the woods into the light as it meanders its way guided by the contour of the land, past the wheat fields and dairy farms. Further along it enters the Werribee gorge, with dramatic tall cliffs and hills rising up spectacularly by its sides. On it goes, meandering through the small farming communities. Its tributary, the Lederberg River and small creeks will merge to increase the flow. Its waters will irrigate the market gardens of Bacchus Marsh. Further on it widens out into the Melton reservoir. In and out its curvy trail goes on as it heads towards the suburban outskirts of Wyndham. It then passes through the city of Werribee itself with many parks and reserves by its side. It passes beneath bridges to glides on towards the Open Range Zoo, pass the Werribee Mansion, the local golf club and the dramatic K Rd Red cliffs. At last, it reaches its estuary. Here, there is on one side a wetland reserve, and on the other an adventure playground and finally it becomes one with the sea at Werribee South. Now that’s an interesting life.