Mary River (Queensland)

Mary
Moocooboola, Moonaboola, Numbulla, Booie, Wide Bay River
The upper Mary River at Conondale
Location of Mary River mouth in Queensland
EtymologyLady Mary Lennox, wife of Charles Augustus FitzRoy
Location
CountryAustralia
StateQueensland
RegionsSouth East Queensland, Wide Bay–Burnett
Physical characteristics
SourceConondale Range
 • locationConondale, South East Queensland
 • coordinates26°47′39″S 152°44′41″E / 26.79417°S 152.74472°E / -26.79417; 152.74472
 • elevation209 m (686 ft)
MouthGreat Sandy Strait
 • location
River Heads, Wide Bay–Burnett
 • coordinates
25°25′29″S 152°56′17″E / 25.4248°S 152.9380°E / -25.4248; 152.9380
 • elevation
0 m (0 ft)
Length291 km (181 mi)
Basin size9,595 km2 (3,705 sq mi)
Discharge 
 • locationNear mouth
 • average55.4 m3/s (1,750 GL/a)
Basin features
Tributaries 
 • leftYabba Creek, Kandanga Creek, Widgee Creek, Wide Bay Creek, Munna Creek, Susan River
 • rightObi Obi Creek, Tinana Creek, Deep Creek, Six Mile Creek
ReservoirLake Borumba

The Mary River (Gubbi Gubbi: Moocooboola) is a major river system in the South East and Wide Bay–Burnett regions of Queensland, Australia. It is the sixth longest coastal river in the state and unique in that it flows south to north.

It is home to three threatened species, the Mary River turtle, white-throated snapping turtle and the Mary River cod. The Mary River was to be dammed with the construction of the Traveston Crossing Dam until it was cancelled due to environmental concerns. The river has experienced major floods in 1955, 1974, 1992, 1999, 2011, 2013 and 2022.