| Taponga | |
| Name Other: | Wild Dog[1] |
| Name Etymology: | Taungurung tap, meaning bronzewing pigeon[2] |
| Pushpin Map: | Australia Victoria |
| Pushpin Map Caption: | Location of the Taponga River mouth in Victoria |
| Subdivision Type1: | Country |
| Subdivision Name1: | Australia |
| Subdivision Type2: | State |
| Subdivision Name2: | Victoria |
| Subdivision Type3: | Region |
| Subdivision Name3: | South Eastern Highlands bioregion (IBRA), Victorian Alps, Northern Country/North Central |
| Subdivision Type5: | Local government area |
| Subdivision Name5: | Murrindindi Shire |
| Length: | 15km (09miles) |
| Source1: | Victorian Alps, Great Dividing Range |
| Source1 Location: | below Rough Hill |
| Source1 Coordinates: | -37.4597°N 145.9764°W |
| Source1 Elevation: | 837m (2,746feet) |
| Mouth: | confluence with the Big River |
| Mouth Location: | southeast of |
| Mouth Coordinates: | -37.3678°N 146.0583°W |
| Mouth Elevation: | 316m (1,037feet) |
| River System: | Goulburn Broken catchment, Murray-Darling basin |
| Custom Label: | Reservoir |
| Extra: | [3] |
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.[3]
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 . The river descends over its 15km (09miles) course.[3]
The name of the river is derived from the Aboriginal Taungurung word tap, meaning a bronzewing pigeon.[2] The river has variously been called the Wild Dog River and the Right Hand Branch of the Big River.[4]
The river is popular for fishing, with abundant rainbow trout to and a few large brown trout in the period from April to June. There are usually some small river blackfish.[5]
A camping area is available, approximately east of on the Eildon–Jamieson Road or the Big River State Forest Road. There is no booking system for the camp site.[6]