In the city's early days the Yarra was one of two major ports, the other being Sandridge (now Port Melbourne), but the Yarra was preferred due to the direct access to the town's main streets and was the location of Customs House (now the Immigration Museum). Melbourne, Victorias state capital, was established on the lower reaches of the river in 1835. There are easy walks and tracks around this area. In 1803, New South Wales Acting Surveyor-General Charles Grimes and his party became the first Europeans to sail up the river. The Melbourne Docklands urban renewal project began in 2000, comprising mixed use residential and commercial land and recreational boating moors along the river at the disused Victoria Dock and on the south bank of the Yarra. The Yarra River Precinct's famed riverside dining and drinking started with Riverland Bar at Federation Wharf nearly 20 years ago. Tourists can also relax and enjoy in the cruises in this area. The upstream also contains a closed-off dam known as the Upper Yarra Reservoir. 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. . Surround yourself with the majestic views of Melbourne's cityscape views on the renowned Yarra River. By using our site you accept that we use and share cookies and similar technologies with certain approved third parties. You can leap from the cliff faces into the flowing water, or clamber across the smooth rocks in the shallow sections. A history of flooding: The first recorded flood in The Yarra River was in 1839. We also talk about the South Fork of the Snake River and why it's awesome to euro nymph in this area. With two legislative days remaining until Crossover Day, legislators and lobbyists spent all . Yarra Ranges Shire Council Flood information for the Yarra Ranges Shire Council, encompassing local flood guides and a Municipal Flood Emergency Plan. Spring Hill Creek Tributary of Mount Emu Creek. The campground is well-equipped for a cookout, with a wood BBQ, picnic tables, drinking water and a dishwashing area. A history of flooding: The first recorded flood in The Yarra River was in 1839. Two major off-road, sealed trails, the Yarra River Trail and Capital City Trail follow the river on its course through the city, while part of the Bayside Trail also connects with the river. Ian Penrose, founder of the Yarra Riverkeeper Association. Upstream of Launching Place the river becomes quite narrow and recreational use is limited. Access your favorite topics in a personalized feed while you're on the go. [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. The river was selected as the site for the Royal Botanic Gardens in 1846 and the course of the river was modified slightly for the creation of a feature lake. And, to many locals, where happy memories of personal pilgrimages, peaceful summer evenings, and days exploring were made. This is an important spawning and nursery area for brown trout from the Yarra River. Melbourne Water respectfully acknowledges the Bunurong, Gunaikurnai, Taungurung, Wadawurrung and Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung peoples as the Traditional Owners and Custodians of the land and water on which we rely and operate. In 2008, dredging began to deepen the mouth of the Yarra to enable large container ships to reach the Port of Melbourne. 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. So where is this picturesque spot? 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. 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. Birrarung was the very first name that the indigenous Australians gave it. The Yarra has greatly improved since the 1970s and 80s, thanks to an expanding sewerage system servicing Melbournes industry and suburbs. 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. It hosts a wide range of geographic features including; bends, rapids, lakes, islands, floodplains, billabongs, wetlands, etc. It rises at an elevation of 792 meters above sea level and drops to sea level at Port Philip. Copyright Ocean Protect 2022. It is approximately 242 kilometres (150mi) in length, with a mean annual flow of 718 gigalitres (2.541010cuft), which is roughly 50% its original flow prior to damming. Watch the following video to see it for yourself: Take a tour of the upper Yarra River at picturesque Warburton. The Yarra River is colloquially known as "the upside down river", for its golden hue. The project was controversial and strict regulations were enacted. Platypus are rarely seen as far downstream as Fairfield. The plan gives effect to the community's long-term vision for the Yarra and supports collaborative management of the river and its lands. Whether you're seeking relaxation or adventure, parks offer a variety of day trips close to Melbourne. Sign up for notifications from Insider! 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. 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 river has been a major food source and meeting place for Indigenous Australians for thousands of years. 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. Up to 350,000 cigarette butts enter the Yarra catchment storm water runoff every day,[24] these serve as just a small representation of the rubbish and litter that are disposed of in storm water runoff areas that eventually make their way into the river and consequently, the sea. 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. Widening and dams, like the Upper Yarra Reservoir have helped protect Melbourne from major flooding. In the middle reaches, canoeing and kayaking is popular, there are a few rapids of easy to medium difficulty depending on the water level. Swimming is also popular in the middle reaches throughout winter, particularly around Warrandyte. Parks Victoria is proud to be a key partner in the implementation of the Yarra Strategic Plan, Burndap Birrarung burndap umarkoo. Where: Below Mount Mambup, Perth, Western Australia, Australia. [citation needed]. The river's upper portion is a swampy area in the Yarra Ranges National Park. He selected a site on the northern bank of the Yarra River, declaring that "this will be the place for a village". Today, the Yarra mouth including Swanson and Appleton docks are used for container shipping by the Port of Melbourne, which is the busiest on the continent. Stokes River Tributary of Glenelg River. This section is a declared water catchment and is closed . It is the most westerly snow fed river in Australia. The Wurundjeri people have always had a deep connection to the river. The Main Yarra Trail is one of Melbourne's most iconic routes, following the Birrarung Yarra River from the north eastern suburbs to the city. The banks of the Yarra River are popular for cycling, running and walking where most paths are sealed and in good condition. 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. Every few years, the Gold Prospectors put out a book of all the land claims that members can prospect for gold. Canoeing and kayaking are great ways to explore beautiful waterways. The Yarra River, no doubt is the iconic heart of Melbourne as it meanders through the heart of Melbourne City. The approximate location of the site is marked by a cairn on Fourth Hill in the Warrandyte State Park. Sure, it's not really suitable for swimming or drinking, and sometimes it smells funny - but that's what us Melburnians love about it. This area forms the venue for the annual "Moomba" festival, which notably features an annual water skiing competition which attracts a huge crowd. https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Yarra_River&oldid=1140702181, The Yarra has been captured in many famous paintings including some by the, The river has featured in songs by the Whirling Furphies, titled, A poem entitled "Yara Yara" was written by Greek poet, This page was last edited on 21 February 2023, at 09:38. Gold mining cleared small areas of land of vegetation and for periods of time, drained sections of the river; however, when compared to land clearing and industrial pollutants, the effects of gold mining on the river were quite low. @thesurfingprospector6345. A few tips from the experts: There are thousands of places across the country to go in search of gold. While this was not considered a problem in the floodplains near Yarra Glen and Coldstream, the floodings caused much trouble further downstream in settlements such as Warrandyte, Templestowe, Bulleen, Heidelberg and Ivanhoe. Katherine River. Alaska Native and First Nations communities adapted to hold onto another kind of wealth: their culture, land, and way of life. The creation of new shipping channels to cope with the growing use of the Yarra by cargo ships was first tabled in the 1870s. Did you know: More than one-third of Victorias population lives in the Yarra catchment, which spans about 4000 square kilometres. Since its creation it has been the home of hundreds of ancient American Indian tribes. However, it still faces a number of challenges: Many community groups and schools are involved in looking after river, but we all have a part to play. The Upper Yarra Dam was later constructed to alleviate the flooding, protecting settlements along the river, yet depriving the river banks of soil and silt deposits and causing other problems such as erosion and salinity. Pound Bend has a delightful picnic area with tables, toilets, a canoe launching ramp and great views of the river. The river is used extensively for kayaking at Templestowe, and canoes can often be seen throughout the suburban section. You should also bring a pan the size of a dinner plate, a strainer called a classifier and sucker bottles to capture the gold. Other trees on the riverbank include river red gums, river bottlebrushes, sedges, rushes, and prickle currant bush. The garden was set . From Warburton, farms begin to emerge on the banks of the Yarra River, including dairy and beef farms. The Yarra River once held the world's largest swimming event, the Race to Prince's Bridge. Shipping activity at Victoria Dock during this time had gone into steep decline and it was almost disused by the mid-1970s. It has abundant brown trout to 275 g, river blackfish to 200 g, roach and short-finned eels. 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. In 1957, the Upper Yarra Reservoir was constructed, primarily to alleviate flooding downstream. Whether you'd rather your cruise to be chartered by an expert Skipper on our luxury . There are four bridges on the Yarra River with limited height clearances at high tide:[39], "Yarra Yarra" redirects here. 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. This reduced the river's flow to around 50%, where it sits today. [34], The Yarra River has a detailed and complex geological history, see "Geology". The course has been progressively disrupted and the river widened in places. The dam is located in Reefton, the first town the river flows through from its source. In fact, it's illegal to swim in the Yarra anywhere south of Gipps Street in Abbotsford, in Melbourne's inner-east. 1835 was an eventful year in the history of the Yarra River. Minimum depth at low tide may be less than 2m. On this page: Yarra Ranges Shire Council Flood History Healesville Local Flood Guide Lilydale Local Flood Guide Mooroolbark Local Flood Guide Warburton Local Flood Guide Yarra Glen Local Flood Guide 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 Yarra Riverbank is home to over 20 unique plant communities. The Yarra was for say nicknamed the upside down river because of the way some of it looked. For the beginner, it is advisable to dress for wet conditions with many miners wearing hip boots during the summer and waders in the fall. 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). 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 catchment's upper reaches are also affected by logging. It is the cleanest stretch of the Yarra River to swim in, and it is about a 40-minute drive from the city. Stockyard Creek. [14] European explorers would not enter the river for another 30 years until, in 1835, the area that is now central and northern Melbourne was explored by John Batman, a leading member of the Port Phillip Association, who negotiated a transaction for 600,000 acres (2,400km2) of land from eight Wurundjeri elders. Before 8000 BC, the Yarra River probably joined course with other present-day Port Phillip Bay tributaries such as the Patterson, Kororoit, Werribee, Little River, and drained directly through a narrow gap (what is now called the Rip) into a bay of the Great Australian Bight on the west side of a prehistoric land bridge called the Bassian Plain (which later became submerged into the Bass Strait). [15], The Port Phillip settlement, that would become Melbourne, was established along the lower banks of the Yarra in 1835. We pay our deepest respects to their Elders past, present and emerging. Some well-known placer locations along the river include: McPhaul placer: A gold mine located around 200 feet northeast . I discovered this during one year of the birdman rally where annually people fly off a bridge into the murky muddy Yarra river waters. Many of Melbourne's private schools, located close to the river, train their rowing crews on it. Nature being nature, sometimes conditions can change at short notice. [citation needed]. The lowest section is an estuary where ocean water and salt travel upstream for about 10 kilometers. The riverside apartment complex Como Centre at South Yarra and the larger urban renewal of the formerly industrial Southbank precinct were both built during the late 1990s. [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 park features extensive stands of mountain ash, a very tall eucalypt, tree ferns, as well as patches of remnant rainforest. There's also a lot of rubbish in the Yarra near the city. However it is believed that 'Yarra' means "waterfall", "flow", or refers to running or falling water,[1][2][10] descriptive of any river or creek in the area, not just the Yarra. [citation needed], Gold was first discovered in Victoria near the Yarra River in Warrandyte. Stringer's Creek Tributary of Thompson River. Riparian scrub occurs along much of the river. This also included widening and deepening, and in some cases, vast areas of land were excavated, such as Victoria Dock, in order to give ease of access for cargo and later container ships. The Yarra River also served as an important irrigation water source for the early European settlers. Yarra River also serves as a habitat for frogs such as Perons tree frog, eastern froglet, and southern toadlet. [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 has ultimately led to a lack of healthy understory and saplings, or a lack of saplings completely, which contributes to problems such as reduced habitat, erosion and salinity, issues that ironically affect surrounding agriculture. There isn't a more relaxing way to spend a day than taking a cruise on the Yarra River and taking in all the sights and sounds of Melbourne. The Yarra has something for everyone! The lower stretch of the river from Docklands to the Melbourne Cricket Ground was part of the final path of the Queen's Baton Relay of the 2006 Commonwealth Games. Levels of bacteria, particularly E. coli and substances like grease, oils and heavy metals in the Yarra River and its tributaries are a major problem. From its source in the Yarra Ranges, it flows 242 kilometres (150mi) west through the Yarra Valley which opens out into plains as it winds its way through Greater Melbourne before emptying into Hobsons Bay in northernmost Port Phillip Bay. 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 Yarra River has two other names the upside down river and Birrarung. The Yarra Riverkeeper Association is the largest of many advocacy groups dedicated to protecting the Yarra River and its environs for current and future generations. Most features have been named after translated Woiwurrung phrases or have European, particularly British, origins. Explore Nature's Heaven - Royal Botanic Gardens. The, Are you sick of seeing bioretention systems in disrepair? 38 known mammal species live within the river basin, including bandicoots, gliders, and bats. The river is fed by a number of small unnamed creeks and streams in the Yarra Ranges as well as 49 named tributaries, most of which are creeks. The manna gums grow along the upper reaches and provide food for the koalas. The middle and lower sections have been mostly cleared for agriculture and urban and industrial development, eroding the clay soils and resulting in the rivers muddy colour. The strong brown, muddy colour of the river is caused by clay soils. Image from State Library Victoria. Elemental to Melbourne's identity, the Yarra River is one of Victoria's iconic waterways. Beginning with the Victorian gold rush (1850s and 60s), it was extensively mined and had numerous bridges built to facilitate the growing transport needs. In 1910, the main channel was widened and deepened (81 to 131m or 266 to 430ft). It was feared that dredging would disturb heavy metals and other toxic sediments mostly deposited during Melbourne's industrial era. Board one of the river cruises from Southbank to explore the lower reaches of the Yarra, follow the Capital City Trail on foot or bike, canoe or kayak all or part of its 240-kilometre expanse, or set up for a scenic sunset barbecue or picnic on the banks of the river. 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. All rights reserved. To the Wurundjeri people the river, known as Birrarung, was the life source and an important meeting place. After a few minutes, you should be left with black sand hopefully speckled with flakes of gold. The Yarra Valley is the region surrounding the Yarra River in Victoria, Australia.The river originates approximately 240 km (150 mi) east of the Melbourne central business district and flows towards it and out into Port Phillip Bay.The name Yarra Valley is used in reference to the upper regions surrounding the Yarra River and generally does not encompass the lower regions including the city . Outside of Melbourne, settlement in the Yarra Valley represented a very significant segment in the history and economic development of the state of Victoria. It is thought that Birrarung is derived either from a Wurundjeri words meaning "ever flowing". 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. It has spiritual and cultural significance for Aboriginal communities. Thanks to an abundance of native plants and water supply, the wildlife in and around the Yarra River is highly diverse. The Wurundjeri people caught eels in the lagoons and swamps of the river and also fished using funnel shaped fish pots. 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. The Wurundjeri people named the river Birrarung and used it sustainably until the European arrival. By the 1960s there was a growing awareness of the neglect of the Yarra amongst some residents of Melbourne, spawning various community groups and "friends of" organisations to protect the remnants of the river's ecology. However, this section of the river is surrounded by tall trees and parklands, containing mainly the native vegetation. Top editors give you the stories you want delivered right to your inbox each weekday. From the earliest years of settlement, the mid and upper reaches of the Yarra began to be used for recreation. The area has been occupied by various indigenous clans for at least 30,000 years. From there, continuously weed out the bigger rocks and pebbles. The river hosts many geographical features such as; bends, rapids, lakes, islands, floodplains, billabongs and wetlands. Sacramento River. [38] The resulting island between the new and old courses of the river was named Coode Island, and is now part of the mainland with the former course to the north filled in. 14:30 - He walks us through his euro nymphing program. Before European settlement, the Yarra River was a major food source and meeting place for local indigenous people, the Wurundjeri people. The increasing industrialisation of the river and the growth of the shipping industry saw the need for major infrastructure works which dramatically changed the course of the river in its lower reaches. Some animals, like platypus, have been rediscovered in areas where they had disappeared. Gold was first discovered in Victoria near the Yarra River in Warrandyte. 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. The construction of the Upper Yarra Reservoir in 1957 reduced the river's flow by around 50%. Some small hobby farms are located in the floodplain area of the river, surprisingly close to central Melbourne and almost completely surrounded by suburbs. As rivers, lakes and reservoirs are natural environments, you may encounter hazards. The river flows through different habitats, including large pristine forests, dense urban areas, and agricultural land. The presence of clay particles is not a major factor in the pollution of the river. The Yarra River then turns westwards at Healesville and thence to Yarra Glen. [28], Due to damming and the lack of natural flooding, much of the surrounding vegetation is lacking in the silt and soil deposits that would otherwise be provided by the floods. 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. Known by locals as My Brown Yarra, theres much more to the Yarra River than meets the eye. 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. Home to a variety of endangered wildlife: The Yarra River is home to several endangered species of fish, including the Australian Grayling and the Macquarie Perch. Primarily to alleviate flooding downstream thanks to an expanding sewerage system servicing Melbournes industry and suburbs at Dock! Spans about 4000 square kilometres and is closed where ocean water and salt upstream... To around 50 %, where it sits today where it sits today a 40-minute drive from city... In 2008, dredging began to deepen the mouth of the way some of it looked the suburban section indigenous... Watch the following video to see it for yourself: Take a tour of the upper Yarra Reservoir seeing systems. Ferns, as well as patches of remnant rainforest begin to is there gold in the yarra river on the renowned river. Heart of Melbourne city favorite topics in a personalized feed while you on... Rapids, lakes, islands, floodplains, billabongs and wetlands meanders through the of. It rises at an elevation of 792 meters above sea level at Philip... To Melbourne swamps of the Yarra river was in 1839 used extensively kayaking! 'S industrial era a declared water catchment and is closed water catchment and is closed, was. Surrounded by tall trees and parklands, containing mainly the native vegetation including bandicoots gliders... It is thought that Birrarung is derived either from a Wurundjeri words meaning `` ever flowing '' of life gums. At short notice 38 known mammal species live within the river widened places... 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