The Powlett River (Boonwurrung: Kugerungmome) is a perennial river of the West Gippsland catchment, located in the West Gippsland region of the Australian state of Victoria.

Location and features

The Powlett River rises on the southern slopes of the Strzelecki Ranges, near Ellerside, north of, and flows generally west, joined by one minor tributary, before reaching its mouth within Bass Strait, west of , within the Shire of Bass Coast. The river descends 40 m over its 27 km course. The river is traversed by the Bass Highway between Daylston and Wonthaggi.

Etymology

In the Aboriginal Boonwurrung language the name for the river is Kugerungmome, with no clearly defined meaning. The river was named in 1840 in honour of Frederick Powlett, the Commissioner of the Western Port District.