| Deep | |
| Map: | Maribyrnongrivermap2.png |
| Map Size: | 250 |
| Pushpin Map Size: | 250 |
| Subdivision Type1: | Country |
| Subdivision Name1: | Australia |
| Subdivision Type2: | State |
| Subdivision Name2: | Victoria |
| Subdivision Type3: | Region |
| Subdivision Name3: | Victorian Midlands (IBRA), Greater Melbourne |
| Subdivision Type5: | Local government area |
| Subdivision Name5: | Macedon Ranges Shire, Hume, Brimbank |
| Length: | 128km (80miles) |
| Source1: | Macedon and Cowbaw ranges, Great Dividing Range |
| Source1 Location: | near |
| Source1 Coordinates: | -37.275°N 144.5994°W |
| Source1 Elevation: | 517m (1,696feet) |
| Mouth: | confluence with the Jackson Creek to form the Maribyrnong River |
| Mouth Location: | west of Melbourne Airport |
| Mouth Coordinates: | -37.6694°N 144.8044°W |
| Mouth Elevation: | 42m (138feet) |
| River System: | Port Phillip catchment |
| Tributaries Left: | Boyd Creek, Dry Creek, Garden Hut Creek, Long Gully Creek |
| Tributaries Right: | Emu Creek, Konagaderra Creek, Monument Creek, Five Mile Creek |
| Custom Label: | National park |
| Extra: | [1] |
The Deep Creek is a watercourse[2] of the Port Phillip catchment, located in the outer north western suburbs of Melbourne, in the Australian state of Victoria.
Formed by the confluence of a number of smaller streams draining the north eastern slopes of the Macedon Ranges and the southern slopes of the Cobaw range, both ranges being constituent parts of the Great Dividing Range, the Deep Creek rises north of Mount Macedon, near Cobaw. The river flows generally east in a broad shallow valley, to the north of, before turning generally southwards towards to enter the deeper, narrower valley that characterises the remainder of the watercourse. The creek then flows east again before resuming its southward course at, towards, joined by several minor tributaries. The Deep Creek reaches its confluence with the Jackson Creek near Bulla and together they form the Maribyrnong River.[3] The deep and relatively narrow valley cut by the creek in its southward course through the surrounding basalt plains is particularly prominent at such localities as Darraweit Guim, and Bulla. The creek descends approximately over its 128km (80miles) course.[1]
Unregulated by major dams or diversions, the water levels in the creek show great seasonal variation.[4] Recently, Deep Creek flowed only seasonally along most of its length, although significant pools and stretches of water remain all year, some of which are local swimming holes.
The creek was originally considered to be the extension of the Maribyrnong River, and as such has also been known as Saltwater River (an original name for the Maribyrnong River)[5] or alternatively the Upper Maribyrnong River,[4] Maribyrnong Creek,[6] Maribyrnong River East Branch[7] or Maribyrnong River Left Branch. Another possible name for the river is Darraweit Guim,[8] also the name of a small town located on the river. The name Deep Creek may refer to the deep valley the watercourse has cut through the plains north of Melbourne or the deep pools which have formed in the riverbed.
The named tributaries of the river, ordered upstream, are:
Named bridges and other significant crossing points along Deep Creek, ordered upstream, include but are not limited to: