From bushland to wetlands and everything in between, parks provide habitat to an abundance of common and rare bird species. Snowy River. 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. [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. Enjoy the leafy grounds and abundant wildlife while strolling or biking its many trails. Grab a cuppa, put your feet up and turn up the sound! Ian Penrose, founder of the Yarra Riverkeeper Association. 4. Some animals, like platypus, have been rediscovered in areas where they had disappeared. Here are six interesting facts you need to know: 1. The Yarra River is Victorias 10th longest river, flowing for about 242 kilometers from its source in the Eastern Highlands to its mouth at Hobsons Bay. 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. Prior to settlements, the area now occupied by Elizabeth street was a gully off the river. Most features have been named after translated Woiwurrung phrases or have European, particularly British, origins. At Healesville, the river turns west again and the stream bed becomes increasingly silty, reducing the clarity of the water, and by the commuter town of Yarra Glen it begins to take on the brownish colour that the lower reaches are known for. But this growth came at a cost. The river that runs upside-down: The Yarra River is often referred to as the upside-down river because of its brown colour. The first of many crossings of the Yarra River to facilitate transport was built in Princes Bridge. The first Europeans to sail up the river was a surveying party led by Charles Grimes, Acting Surveyor General of New South Wales, who in 1803 sailed upstream to Dights Falls, where they could no longer continue due to the nature of the terrain. The facility was situated inside Warrandyte State Park, from where the spillover until June 2015 flowed into the river and downstream towards Melbourne. In the rivers upper reaches, fishing is most popular. Rushes and sedges often line the banks. 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.. Wedge asked local aborigines what they called the cascading waters on the lower section of the river. Explore Nature's Heaven - Royal Botanic Gardens. The walking trail features placards displaying some of their paintings at the settings they were actually painted; some features depicted remain clearly recognisable today. 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. Manna gums can be found along the rivers upper reaches, and are an important food source for koalas. Licensed Tour Operators know all the best places to go and will plan and prepare your visit to ensure you are safe and can enjoy your nature-based adventure to the fullest. Know your river: Yarra River wildlife guide, Yarra Strategic Plan (Burndap Birrarung burndap umarkoo), Permanent water-saving rules and Target 150, Work or build near our assets or easements, Liveable Communities, Liveable Waterways Program, Edithvale-Seaford Wetland Education Centre, Training and approval to work on a Melbourne Water site, Bird species at the Eastern Treatment Plant, Bird species at the Western Treatment Plant, Western Treatment Plant augmented reality app, Healthy Waterways Strategy report card - Yarra catchment, as the source of 70 per cent of Melbournes drinking water. The strong brown, muddy colour of the river is caused by clay soils. The river then flows through Port Melbourne, and below the West Gate and Bolte Bridges, and finally into Hobsons Bay. Platypus are rarely seen as far downstream as Fairfield. The Wurundjeri people caught eels in the lagoons and swamps of the river and also fished using funnel shaped fish pots. For the falls traditionally known as Yarra Yarra, see, Last edited on 21 February 2023, at 09:38, "Yarra River: 30146: Historical Information", "In four years, 179 tonnes of garbage was pulled out of the Yarra", "Yarra Strategic Plan (Burndap Birrarung burndap umarkoo) | Melbourne Water", "Port Phillip Survey 1957-1963: The Geology & Geomorphology", https://www.parliament.vic.gov.au/papers/govpub/VPARL1878NoC15.pdf, "Governor Bourke's Proclamation 1835 (UK)", "Melbourne flood Elizabeth Street, February 1972, Neville Bowler", "Garrett approves Port Phillip Bay dredging", "Port Phillip and Westernport Regional River Health Strategy - Yarra catchment", "Chemicals in Melbourne's Yarra River created a health risk, says report", Rivers, wetlands, bays Port Phillip and Westernport, Mr Ian Penrose, Yarra Riverkeepers Association, Sustainable Cities Round Table/ Future Melbourne forum. [26], Several programs are being implemented to minimise beach and river pollution, mostly organised by community groups, EPA Victoria and local councils. 5. Boating is difficult beyond Hawthorn and impossible past Dights Falls. He selected a site on the northern bank of the Yarra River, declaring that "this will be the place for a village". Sign up for notifications from Insider! By 1942, 650m of the old course of the Yarra River at Coode Island had been filled in, by the 1950s it had been completely filled and land parcels were allocated including a site for the new Fish Markets. The Yarra River, no doubt is the iconic heart of Melbourne as it meanders through the heart of Melbourne City. The Macquarie Perchs population is dependent on the Yarra River, as there has been a major decline in the Murray-Darling Macquarie Perch population. 3. The disposal of sewerage in Melbourne was very basic in the early days. [12], A dry period combined with sand bar formation may have dried out the Bay as recently as between 800 BC and 1000 AD, temporarily re-extending the Yarra south to Bass Strait during this period.[13]. We pay our deepest respects to their Elders past, present and emerging. Heavy metals deposited into the river throughout the late 19th and early 20th centuries settled to the bottom of the river bed, particularly in the lower reaches through the city and Port Melbourne, and due to the increased artificial depth of the river through here, heavy metals have not been carried further, although some have been deposited out into Port Phillip. The current name of the river was translated incorrectly: The actual name of the Yarra River is Yarro-yarro, which is a Wurundjeri term in the Boonwurrung language meaning ever-flowing. This is a very accurate description as the river is a perennial waterway, meaning it has a continuous flow all year round due to years of normal rainfall. Don River, Launching Place. The construction of the Upper Yarra Reservoir in 1957 reduced the river's flow by around 50%. With two legislative days remaining until Crossover Day, legislators and lobbyists spent all . . The, Are you sick of seeing bioretention systems in disrepair? A few tips from the experts: There are thousands of places across the country to go in search of gold. Despite being one of the citys most recognisable natural landmarks, even locals know little about the Yarra River. 6. Elemental to Melbourne's identity, the Yarra River is one of Victoria's iconic waterways. They replied 'Yarro Yarro', meaning 'it flows'. The river was then fully dammed at the entrance and exit to the tunnel and water was diverted through 145m and out the other side leaving a 3.85km of riverbed around Pound Bend exposed to the sun and the miners picks. Sure, it's not really suitable for swimming or drinking, and sometimes it smells funny - but that's what us Melburnians love about it. The river has been a major food source and meeting place for Indigenous Australians for thousands of years. This area forms the venue for the annual "Moomba" festival, which notably features an annual water skiing competition which attracts a huge crowd. 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. It provided many resources and important places for spiritual and community activity, like birthplaces and ceremonial and burial grounds. The campground is well-equipped for a cookout, with a wood BBQ, picnic tables, drinking water and a dishwashing area. Along with Vermont, Maine and New Hampshire in the Northeast, North Carolina and Georgia are popular with miners in the Southeast, while California, Utah, Oregon, Nevada and Idaho are well known out West. There's also a lot of rubbish in the Yarra near the city. The river's major tributaries are the Plenty River, Merri Creek, Darebin Creek, Diamond Creek, Gardiners Creek, Mullum Mullum Creek and the Moonee Ponds Creek. Reptiles that are common in the area include lizards, snakes, turtles, and skinks. Learn about grants available to support innovation, liveability and collaboration across water management, and improve river health. However almost all of the fish are contaminated with heavy metals including arsenic and not fit for human consumption. Stocked near the Yarra River junction in 1999 with Macquarie perch by Native Fish Australia. On arriving in sight of the river, the two natives who were with me, pointing to the river, called out, 'Yarra Yarra', which at the time I imagined to be its name; but I afterwards learnt that the words were what they used to designate a waterfall, as they afterwards gave the same designation to a small fall in the river Werribee, as we crossed it on our way back to Indented Head. However, this section of the river is surrounded by tall trees and parklands, containing mainly the native vegetation. It is mostly concentrated in central Melbourne where cruises go up and down the river and ferries operate. Access your favorite topics in a personalized feed while you're on the go. Elemental to Melbourne's identity, the Yarra River is one of Victoria's iconic waterways. You can leap from the cliff faces into the flowing water, or clamber across the smooth rocks in the shallow sections. The Wurundjeri people named the river Birrarung and used it sustainably until the European arrival. Devastating flooding was also a regular feature of the original narrow, twisting waterway. [citation needed]. A history of flooding: The first recorded flood in The Yarra River was in 1839. 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. Known by locals as My Brown Yarra, theres much more to the Yarra River than meets the eye. Melbourne, Victorias state capital, was established on the lower reaches of the river in 1835. This major infrastructure project created an island which was known as Coode Island, named after the British consultant engineer engaged to design the works, Sir John Coode. The Yarra River is part of an Aboriginal cultural landscape that includes traditional Country of the Wurundjeri People. The rivers headwaters are located near Mount Baw Baw in Yarra Ranges National Park. The river was utilised primarily for agriculture by early European settlers. The Yarra River is one of Melbourne's greatest assets. In fact, new research commissioned by Ocean Protect, shows Victorian residents are extremely concerned about marine and waterway health in relation to population growth over half rated it as their number one concern from a total list of 12 common concerns including increased traffic, housing density, competition for jobs and possible reduced water supply. In 2008, dredging began to deepen the mouth of the Yarra to enable large container ships to reach the Port of Melbourne. 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. The total catchment area is approximately 4,000 square kilometres (1,500sqmi). The river was drained and diverted in various areas throughout the gold rush to aid gold miners. By continuing to use our site you consent to this. The Yarra River was an important resource for the Wurundjeri people for around 40,000 years. Widening and dams, like the Upper Yarra Reservoir have helped protect Melbourne from major flooding. The find was made by Louis Michel in 1851 at a tributary of the river, Anderson's Creek and marked the start of the Victorian gold rush. Whether you'd rather your cruise to be chartered by an expert Skipper on our luxury . Our iconic waterways are the lifeblood of Melbournes natural landscape learn how you can help look after them. Some industrial companies continue to use the Yarra as a dumping ground. The lower stretches of the Yarra are where Victoria's state capital Melbourne was established in 1835, and today metropolitan Greater Melbourne dominates and influences the landscape of its lower reaches. Following this, the river was widened to protect Melbourne residents from future flooding. Go for a wander and see how many you can spot. From the gushing tropical rivers in Cairns, the glitter strip of the Gold Coast, to the coastal beauty of Coffs Harbour, mesmerising Sydney Harbour and its innumerable inlets, Adrenaline provides the perfect place for rafting tours and trips at the best prices. The garden was set . When the river water combines with marine salts as it enters Port Phillip, the suspended particles clump together and sink. The Yarra has something for everyone! Environmental sculptures made from natural materials reflect the islands tranquil setting and make for a great day out. Stringer's Creek Tributary of Thompson River. Federation Square was proposed to connect the spine of Melbourne to the Yarra at Federation Wharf and a neighbouring park, Birrarung Marr was also built along the north bank, creating renewed interest in connecting city workers to the river. 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. It's still dark, the water is 10.4 degrees Celsius and the centre of Melbourne is just 4 kilometres away. Herring Island, an artificial island on the Yarra River is a haven for nature and art lovers alike. Each summer the Herring Island Summer Festival takes over the island to celebrate contemporary Australian art. Some small hobby farms are located in the floodplain area of the river, surprisingly close to central Melbourne and almost completely surrounded by suburbs. Enjoy the tranquility and spot wildlife that hikers dont normally see. The landscape of the river has changed dramatically since 1835. Mention the Yarra River and you might think of the last few kilometres that cut through the city but its so much more. Yarra River. 6. Currently, it accounts for about 70% of Greater Melbournes drinking water supply. [citation needed], The first major change came with the cutting of the Coode Canal between 1880 and 1886. The water was clear at the time of the first European settlements, but intensive land clearing and development since the mid-19th century has resulted in the presence of microscopic clay particles. The last time the Yarra experienced a major flood was in 1934, when the region endured 48 hours of . . Its waters spread diseases like diphtheria, dysentery, typhoid and scarlet fever, until the Werribee Farm was built to treat sewage in 1897. A small creek (2-3 m wide) with predominantly fast, shallow water, 10-30 cm deep, gravel substrate. Yarra begins to form an estuarine below the Dights Falls as it flows through the southern side of Melbournes CBD. The lowest section is an estuary where ocean water and salt travel upstream for about 10 kilometers. 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. In March 2019, it was reported that the river's environmental health is at risk due to litter, pollution, pets and urban development. Visiting a park can be more of a challenge for people with disabilities, however in Victoria there are a wide range of facilities to help people of all abilities enjoy our wonderful parks around the state. Agriculture and industrial development takes place in the middle and lower portions. Swimming is also popular in the middle reaches throughout winter, particularly around Warrandyte. 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. Between, parks provide habitat to an abundance of common and rare bird species reflect the islands tranquil and. 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