| Orara River | |
| Name Other: | Wooworra River |
| Name Etymology: | Aboriginal derived from Urara meaning "where the perch live" |
| Subdivision Type1: | Country |
| Subdivision Name1: | Australia |
| Subdivision Type2: | State |
| Subdivision Name2: | New South Wales |
| Subdivision Type3: | IBRA |
| Subdivision Name3: | NSW North Coast |
| Subdivision Type4: | District |
| Subdivision Name4: | Northern Rivers |
| Subdivision Type5: | local government area |
| Subdivision Name5: | Clarence Valley |
| Length: | 156km (97miles) |
| Source1: | Dorrigo Plateau, Great Dividing Range |
| Source1 Location: | east of Dorrigo and west of Boambee |
| Source1 Elevation: | 200m (700feet) |
| Mouth: | confluence with Clarence River |
| Mouth Location: | southeast of Copmanhurst |
| Mouth Elevation: | 5m (16feet) |
| River System: | Clarence River catchment |
| Tributaries Left: | Urumbilum River, Nana Creek, Tallawudjah Creek, Coldwater Creek (New South Wales), Kangaroo River, Chambigne Creek, Lurcocks Creek |
| Custom Label: | National park |
| Custom Data: | Dorrigo National Park |
| Extra: | [1] |
Orara River, a perennial stream of the Clarence River catchment, is located in the Northern Rivers district of New South Wales, Australia.
Orara River rises on the eastern slopes of the Dorrigo Plateau, Great Dividing Range, east of Dorrigo and west of Boambee, and flows in a meandering course generally north east north and north-west, joined by six tributaries including Urumbilum River and Kangaroo River, before reaching its confluence with the Clarence River, southeast of Copmanhurst. The river descends over its course;[1] and flows through the Dorrigo National Park in its upper reaches.
Major communities along the river include Coramba, Nana Glen, Glenreagh, Coutts Crossing, Ramornie, and Eatonville.[1]
In recent years, the river has suffered from overuse, particularly due to irrigation projects and the river's use as the major source of water for the city of Coffs Harbour. This has led to siltation in the river, and the virtual decimation of the river's freshwater fish stocks.
The name of the river is believed to be derived from Urara, an Aboriginal phrase meaning "where the perch live".