The Yarra River Precinct's famed riverside dining and drinking started with Riverland Bar at Federation Wharf nearly 20 years ago. Whilst the water is not particularly clear, its quality is sufficient for edible fish to swim within it. Yarra Bend Park is the largest area of natural bushland near the heart of Melbourne. It was utilised and managed sustainably by the Wurundjeri for around 40,000 years; however, since the European settlement and use of the river in the mid-19th century, its geography has changed substantially reflecting the unsustainable use of the river and surrounding resources. Grab a cuppa, put your feet up and turn up the sound! The race often attracted greater than 500 competitors and large numbers of onlookers seeking to experience the spectacle. Stockyard Creek. The Gold Rush saw increased development in Melbourne and "tent cities" of new migrants lined the Yarra during the early years of the gold rush. The Yarra River or historically, the Yarra Yarra River,[3] (Kulin languages: Berrern, Birr-arrung, Bay-ray-rung, Birarang,[5] Birrarung,[6] and Wongete[1]) is a perennial river[3] in south-central Victoria, Australia. Its a good idea to check this page ahead of your visit for any updates. [16] The objective was to stop people bathing in the Yarra River, which by the 1850s had become quite polluted and the cause of an epidemic of typhoid fever, which hit the city resulting in many deaths. Its marshlands were covered over to prevent . The first permanent crossing over the river was Princes Bridge, which first opened as a wooden trestle bridge in 1844. In the 1840s a weir was built at Dights Falls to power a flour mill and to give some control over the river downstream from there. Beginning with the Victorian gold rush it was extensively mined, creating the Pound Bend Tunnel in Warrandyte, and the Big and Little Peninsula Tunnels above Warburton. [citation needed]. The Upper Yarra Dam, one of a number of dams in the Yarra Catchment that supply a large part of Melbourne's water, is the furthest upstream point on the river visible to the general public (though the dam itself is closed off). The current course dates back to 1886 when a canal devised by British engineer Sir John Coode was cut from west of Flinders Street to below its junction with the Maribyrnong. A bicycle and walking trail known as the Main Yarra Trail begins at Warrandyte and becomes the Yarra River Trail, and in the lower reaches, the Capital City Trail. The lower reaches feature a number of boat cruises, using especially low-roof boats to go under the many bridges across this section of the Yarra. The section of the Yarra River between Warrandyte and Warburton is a Victoria Heritage River. The Yarra had clear water before European settlement but during the industrial revolution in the 19th century, high levels of land clearing and development caused these microscopic clay particles to enter the water, making it the colour it is today. Once vast, they are a precious and fragile resource and vulnerable to introduced grasses, soil disturbance, grazing, mowing and fertilisers. Its waters spread diseases like diphtheria, dysentery, typhoid and scarlet fever, until the Werribee Farm was built to treat sewage in 1897. Explore water quality across the Yarra. [citation needed], The Yarra's major tributaries are the Maribyrnong River, Moonee Ponds Creek, Merri Creek, Darebin Creek, Plenty River, Mullum Mullum Creek and Olinda Creek. . This project involves replacing steep steps at Gipps Streetin Abbotsford with an elevated, curling walkway, improving how cyclists, people with prams and people with accessibility requirements can continue along the Trail. EPA also issues alerts when there is an issue affecting a waterbody in Victoria. [33] It has had successful campaigns in pushing for great environmental flows and in 2010 the Riverkeeper Ian Penrose was awarded the 2010 Melbourne Award for contribution to the environment. You should also bring a pan the size of a dinner plate, a strainer called a classifier and sucker bottles to capture the gold. In the early days, the river would frequently flood. Following this, the river was widened to protect Melbourne residents from future flooding. The first flood was recorded in 1839, and the largest in 1891 which saw water levels rise 14 metres above normal, destroying 200 houses. It's still dark, the water is 10.4 degrees Celsius and the centre of Melbourne is just 4 kilometres away. 2. The river now compares favourably with many metropolitan rivers overseas. View annual progress towards 10-year targets for waterways in the catchment, as set out in the strategy. Swimming is also popular in the middle reaches throughout winter, particularly around Warrandyte. A dropoff works just like any of the other gold traps; as the water runs into the dropoff, the volume of the river suddenly expands massively, acting as a brake on the current. Always check for signs of pollution before you swim. In 1957, the Upper Yarra Reservoir was constructed, primarily to alleviate flooding downstream. [21] Early industry located along the river contributed great amounts of pollution such as dangerous chemicals, grease, oil and heavy metals. Some of the larger parklands adjoining the river include, from downstream to upstream: There are 14 golf courses adjoining the river, these include, from downstream to upstream: The Yarra is considered an important part of Melbourne's culture and a symbol of the city, and as a result, it has been the source of artistic and cultural expression. The 3 Mile course ran in the lower reaches, from Twickenham Ferry (now MacRobertson Bridge) to Princes Bridge. Since the first permanent crossing was built over the river in 1844, there are now over 60 places where pedestrians, cars and other vehicles can cross the river. The last time the Yarra experienced a major flood was in 1934, when the region endured 48 hours of rain, which destroyed 400 buildings and left 6,000 people homeless. The construction of the Upper Yarra Reservoir in 1957 reduced the river's flow by around 50%. Following the course of the river is the 38-kilometre Main Yarra Trail, which stretches from Southbank to the north-eastern suburbs through river flats, sporting ovals, market gardens and paddocks. The Basin extends 120 km from forested mountains in the east to the City of Melbourne with its northern boundary formed by the Great Dividing Range. [citation needed]. Gold was discovered in the suburb of Warrandyte at Andersons Creek, one of Yarras tributaries, in 1851, marking the beginning of the Victorian gold rush. Spring Hill Creek Tributary of Mount Emu Creek. Not usually stocked because of the movement of fish into the creek from the Yarra River. occasional brown trout and river blackfish. Katherine River. [29] The muddy brown colour is caused by the easily eroded clay soils of its catchment area. It's illegal to swim in the Yarra River south of Gipps Street in Abbotsford. Check the fire danger ratings before you visit on hot days. Herring Island is a small island at South Yarra which has a punt which takes people on to the park. The river is also popular for boating, in the residential suburb of Toorak some of the larger mansions have private boat moorings, whilst newer developments in Melbourne Docklands have larger marinas as does Pier 31 at Fisherman's Bend and Newport and Williamstown at the river's mouth. The creation of new shipping channels to cope with the growing use of the Yarra by cargo ships was first tabled in the 1870s. Most features have been named after translated Woiwurrung phrases or have European, particularly British, origins. Other diversions include The Island cutting in Warrandyte and the Little Peninsula Tunnel and Big Peninsula Tunnel near McMahons Creek. However, the increased industrialization came at a cost. This series of rocks, originally used to cross the river, and referred to as the "Yarra Falls" was removed using explosives and divers in 1883. The Yarra River soon became polluted with sewer and industrial waste. Following the course of the river is the 38-kilometre Main Yarra Trail, which stretches from Southbank to the north-eastern suburbs through river flats, sporting ovals, market gardens and paddocks. While there are fewer crossings towards the mouth of the river, most notably the West Gate, Bolte and Princes Bridges, and the Burnley and Domain Tunnels. The first step is finding the right spot in the river where the gold might collect, such as a crook in the bedrock, idle pools, log jams, inside corners of rivers or spaces between boulders.. In the lower reaches, the river is mostly used for rowing, there are several rowing sheds along the city stretch east of the Princes Bridge and many private schools have rowing clubs with sheds and berths on the river. The approximate location of the site is marked by a cairn on Fourth Hill in the Warrandyte State Park. Further upstream, the Cremorne Gardens were established in 1853. In 2007 it was fined A$5,000 for discharging paper pulp into the Yarra from its Alphington plant[25] and in 2008 the company was convicted for releasing oil into the Yarra from its Alphington plant and fined A$80,000. Throughout its length, the waters of the Yarra River and its banks are used for; boating, rowing, water skiing, kayaking, canoeing, swimming, fishing, cycling, running and walking, amongst other things. Stringer's Creek Tributary of Thompson River. The Yarra River crosses an enormous range of habitats from pristine forested catchments, to a range of agricultural lands and onto dense urban areas: The stretch of the Yarra River between Warburton and Warrandyte has been identified as a Victorian Heritage River. [citation needed], Sections of the river mouth and the area around the former West Melbourne Swamp were widened in the late 19th century, to make way for docks, harbours, bridges and other infrastructure. The Macquarie Perchs population is dependent on the Yarra River, as there has been a major decline in the Murray-Darling Macquarie Perch population. There are more than 400 Licensed Tour Operators across Victoria who are ready and waiting to help you experience and connect with Victorias spectacular parks and waterways. Hire a canoe at historic Studley Park Boathouse, paddle upstream, and spot flying foxes. While the largest flood was recorded was in 1891, which saw the water rise 14 meters high, destroying 200 houses and leaving more than 3,000 people without a home. The community and authorities need to come together to take a closer interest in the Yarras ecology. Below Dights Falls at Yarra Bend Park in inner Melbourne, the river becomes increasingly estuarine as it passes along the southern side of the central business district. [citation needed], The Gold Rush saw increased development in Melbourne and "tent cities" of new migrants lined the Yarra during the early years of the gold rush. Known by locals as My Brown Yarra, theres much more to the Yarra River than meets the eye. Most of these miners were working alluvial gold in the creeks, and the Yarra river, and though quartz with gold in it was being found, there was no efficient method of crushing the rock to obtain the gold. An example of this is the tunnel at Pound Bend in Warrandyte. A few tips from the experts: There are thousands of places across the country to go in search of gold. To the Wurundjeri people the river, known as Birrarung, was the life source and an important meeting place. Downstream of Warburton, the Yarra Valley gradually opens out and farms begin to appear, including beef and dairy farms, and by the town of Woori Yallock and the river's turn north, increasingly large areas are covered by vineyards, forming the Yarra Valley wine region. Many cultural sites are still with us today like the Yarra Flats dreaming, and the Heide Scar tree and Bolin Bolin Billabong in Bulleen. 9. As the river is never wider than around 350m and is on average only around 50m wide, most of the crossings are located in the suburbs of Greater Melbourne. Yarra Bend Park is Melbourne's largest natural bushland park. [7], The annual Moomba festival celebrates the Yarra River's increasing cultural significance to Melbourne. We pay our deepest respects to their Elders past, present and emerging. Surround yourself with the majestic views of Melbourne's cityscape views on the renowned Yarra River. The Yarra River, no doubt is the iconic heart of Melbourne as it meanders through the heart of Melbourne City. But this growth came at a cost. [30] They are part of the global Waterkeeper Alliance movement and have been involved in forums and discussions pushing for policies to ensure that "the voice" of the river is heard. The Yarra River once held the world's largest swimming event, the Race to Prince's Bridge. Here I'm with Crouch from the Surfing prospector and see a large flat piece of gold just sitting there. A growing number of people are heading to the streams and rivers in search of gold. Today, the Yarra River is an integral part of our lives and each year attracts millions of visitors who walk, ride, row, fish or camp along its banks. Pound Bend has a delightful picnic area with tables, toilets, a canoe launching ramp and great views of the river. Whether you'd rather your cruise to be chartered by an expert Skipper on our luxury . Today, the Yarra River is an integral part of our lives and each year attracts millions of visitors - who walk, ride, row, fish or camp along its banks. St Arnaud Creek Tributary of Carapooee Creek. Melbournes most valuable natural asset is home to a range of beautiful indigenous plants, animals, birds and fish, and is vital to our social and economic wellbeing: The Lower (left) and Upper (right) Yarra River and catchment areas: click to enlarge map or download it below. Originally called Birrarung by the Wurundjeri, the current name was mistranslated from another Wurundjeri term in the Boonwurrung language; Yarro-yarro, meaning "ever-flowing".[1][2]. The river was partially dammed at Pound Bend near Normans Reserve at its eastern entrance and near Bob's wetlands at its western exit. Sign up for notifications from Insider! Situated to the south of Yarra River, the Melbourne Royal Botanic Gardens have some of the most exquisite flora and fauna to offer up to nature aficionados. The Yarra River begins its journey through Melbourne at Chirnside Park, marking the start of its middle reaches. In 1910, the main channel was widened and deepened (81 to 131m or 266 to 430ft). Whether you're seeking relaxation or adventure, parks offer a variety of day trips close to Melbourne. Some of the river's more prominent features include; Coode Island and Fishermans Bend, Victoria Harbour, Herring Island, Yarra Bend, Dights Falls, Upper Yarra Dam and Reservoir and many river flats and billabongs. The Yarra River is Victoria's 10th longest river, flowing for about 242 kilometers from its source in the Eastern Highlands to its mouth at Hobsons Bay. With the pan still underwater, slosh the muddy mix back and forth. The area in front of old Customs House is a former turning basin for ships. The Yarra River is a river in East-Central Victoria, Australia that flows through the city of Melbourne. The Yarra River basin is home to almost 30% of the animal species in Victoria. With two legislative days remaining until Crossover Day, legislators and lobbyists spent all . The Future Directions Plan and Recreation Guidelines for the Lower Yarra River, reaching from Dights Falls to Port Phillip Bay, provides a framework enabling the competing demands of all users of the river to be safely balanced while maintaining the rivers environmental values. Then the river turns northwards at Woori Yallock and flows through the Yarra Valley wine region. Did you know: More than one-third of Victorias population lives in the Yarra catchment, which spans about 4000 square kilometres. . Beyond Warburton there are very few crossings available. The largest and most notable of these parklands include: the Royal Botanic Gardens, Birrarung Marr, Yarra Bend Park, Westerfolds Park, Warrandyte State Park and the Yarra Ranges National Park.[39]. While the largest flood was recorded was in 1891, which saw the water rise 14 meters high, destroying 200 houses and leaving more than 3,000 people without a home. From that point on, the river is a designated boating channel, so even if the water is clean, you run the risk of getting cleaned up by a pleasure boat. A four-year-long boom soon followed, and today Gila River is one of the more famous gold panning locations in the state. Some well-known placer locations along the river include: McPhaul placer: A gold mine located around 200 feet northeast . All rights reserved. He selected a site on the northern bank of the Yarra River, declaring that "this will be the place for a village". On the southern side of the river near exists a number of university and private school rowing clubs who use the river for recreational sports. Through the mid-20th century, industry was slowly relocated away from the river and since then the major pollutants have come from storm water runoff, sewerage and lasting effects of previous pollution. In the rivers upper reaches, fishing is most popular. Spring Creek. The current bridge was constructed in 1888. Early industries grew along the banks of the river, rapidly degrading the water quality. The riverflows for about 242 kilometers from the Yarra Ranges of the Great Dividing Range to Port Philip at Hobsons Bay. Stash some supplies into a back pack and take the family out for a day trip and in only a short drive from Melbourne you can be surrounded by nature. Some industrial companies continue to use the Yarra as a dumping ground. Check this website for closures and fire information before your visit. 12:04 - I ask him if there are similarities between the waters in Europe and the stuff over here we're gonna be hitting. Its up to all of us to play our part to protect this special natural resource for generations to come.. as well as other partner offers and accept our. Westward view from Batmans Hill painting by Robert Russell based on sketch from 1836 or 1837. 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