The Barkly River, a perennial river of the West Gippsland catchment, is located in the Alpine region of the Australian state of Victoria.

Formed by the confluence of the Barkly River East Branch that drains a state forestry area of the Great Dividing Range from an elevation of 1,370 metres (4,490 ft) AHD  near The Nobs Spur; and the Barkly River West Branch that drains Mount McDonald within the Alpine National Park at an elevation of 1,440 metres (4,720 ft) AHD , the Barkly River rises in remote country east of the Mount Skene Scenic Reserve, below Mount McKinty. The river flows generally south by east, joined by four minor tributaries, before reaching its confluence with the Macalister River, south of the locale of Glencairn. From its highest elevation including the east and west branches of the river, the Barkly River descends 1,165 metres (3,822 ft) over its combined 42-kilometre (26 mi) course.

The river was named in honour of Sir Henry Barkly, GCMG KCB FRS FRGS, the second Governor of Victoria, serving between 1856 and 1863.

• Rivers of Victoria

• "West Gippsland Regional Catchment Strategy (2013 - 2019)" (PDF – 4MB). West Gippsland Catchment Management Authority. 2012. ISBN 978-0-9805562-8-5.
• "Latrobe Catchment Ecosystem" (PDF). West Gippsland Catchment Management Authority. 2012. Archived from the original (PDF) on 6 April 2011.