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. flickr/daniel montemayor. The area surrounding the Yarra River was first inhabited by the Boonwurrung and Wurundjeri peoples of the Kulin nation. Most features have been named after translated Wurundjeri phrases or have European, particularly British, origins. [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. Whether you'd rather your cruise to be chartered by an expert Skipper on our luxury . Industries then began using the river and tributaries such as Merri Creek as landfill and for harmful chemical dumps for substances like grease and oils. 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 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. The Yarra has something for everyone! 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. 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 area in front of old Customs House is a former turning basin for ships. The river then flows through Port Melbourne, and below the West Gate and Bolte Bridges, and finally into Hobsons Bay. Yarra River. 5. In the middle reaches, canoeing and kayaking is popular, there are a few rapids of easy to medium difficulty depending on the water level. 2. From Reefton, the river flows through the temperate forests to Warburton. Several Aboriginal Australians have lived along the river for thousands of years, using it as their meeting place and food and water source. Did you know: More than one-third of Victorias population lives in the Yarra catchment, which spans about 4000 square kilometres. In 1916, the central pier at Victoria Dock was completed which provided 6 additional shipping berths and cargo sheds and creating a distinctive landmark for Melbourne ports. Hire a canoe at historic Studley Park Boathouse, paddle upstream, and spot flying foxes. All maps, graphics, flags, photos and original descriptions 2023 worldatlas.com. The Main Yarra Trail, used by pedestrians and cyclists, starts at Warrandyte and runs parallel to the river until the lower reaches, where it is known as Capital City Trail. When the river water combines with marine salts as it enters Port Phillip, the suspended particles clump together and sink. Congratulations Yarra Riverkeeper: Ian Penrose! The name Yarra Yarra is said to mean "ever flowing river",[2] but most likely refers to the Yarra Yarra falls which were later dynamited. 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. Environmental sculptures made from natural materials reflect the islands tranquil setting and make for a great day out. Some of the parks youll see along the way include: The Lower Yarra Revegetation Project planted 18,000 native plants along 14 kilometres of the river to help improve water quality and habitat. For example, in recent years paper company Amcor has been fined several times by EPA Victoria for polluting the Yarra and environs. However, the Aboriginals later denied selling the land to Batman, saying they only permitted him to pass through their land. 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. The total catchment area is approximately 4,000 square kilometres (1,500sqmi). Minimum depth at low tide may be less than 2m. Main food source for Indigenous Australians pre-European history: The Yarra River played a pivotal role for the Wurundjeri people, serving as their epicentre for food, meeting and camping. The strong brown, muddy colour of the river is caused by clay soils. [citation needed], Gold was first discovered in Victoria near the Yarra River in Warrandyte. Alphington Grammar School staff and parents lodged more than 200 complaints against Melbourne's Yarra City Council arguing the facility could put the students in danger. In fact, it's illegal to swim in the Yarra anywhere south of Gipps Street in Abbotsford, in Melbourne's inner-east. 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. Some 65 professionals participated, Ocean Protect are excited to announce that we now manufacture and supply sandy loam filter media for conventional biofiltration systems., Ocean Protect is proud to be a sponsor for an upcoming franc.sydney 2022 conference, being held from 29th 30th, AWA Water E-journal Paper on Filterra Biofiltration Performance, Bioretention Unfiltered - Brisbane Breakfast Event, Ocean Protect attends the South Australian Stormwater Symposium 2022, Ocean Protect Now Manufacture 'Sandy Loam' Biofiltration Media. Oils and grease remain today in several tributaries in the lower reaches such as Merri Creek and Moonee Ponds Creek.[22]. 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. 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. After a few minutes, you should be left with black sand hopefully speckled with flakes of gold. The majority of waste from homes and industries flowed into street channels and on to local rivers and creeks which became open sewers. The upper Yarra and its main tributaries flow through forested, mountainous areas that have been protected for over 100 years to safeguard the quality of our drinking water. We pay our deepest respects to their Elders past, present and emerging. 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). Wedge asked local aborigines what they called the cascading waters on the lower section of the river. Herring Island, an artificial island on the Yarra River is a haven for nature and art lovers alike. 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. 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. The dam is located in Reefton, the first town the river flows through from its source. [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. Medium gold in hue, this full-bodied Chardonnay starts on the quiet side, but after time in glass it opens to reveal citrus, melon, mint and salted nut characters, backed by a prominent line of . Also referred to as Yarra Yarra, Birrarung and Wongete, the Yarra River is a perennial river that flows in the south-central part of Victoria, Australia and is one of Melbournes major attractions. 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. Richard Bourke, the New South Wales Governor, declared the purchase treaty (Batmans Treaty) invalid on August 26, 1835. The river flows atop layers of silt that built up within an ancient river valley around 10,000-15,000 years ago. The race often attracted greater than 500 competitors and large numbers of onlookers seeking to experience the spectacle. Yarra Valley. 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. Snowy River. A four-year-long boom soon followed, and today Gila River is one of the more famous gold panning locations in the state. Stockyard Creek. Surround yourself with the majestic views of Melbourne's cityscape views on the renowned Yarra River. [18] This was due mostly to previous storm water drainage works which utilised Elizabeth street as a watercourse during times of intense rain creating flash floods. 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. Where: Below Mount Mambup, Perth, Western Australia, Australia. Ships would use one side of the falls while the other side provided fresh drinking water for the town and a convenient sewer. Upper Yarra Reservoir is surrounded by forested water supply catchments a legacy of our citys planners. A growing number of people are heading to the streams and rivers in search of gold. And once you've finished swimming, it is only a short walk to cafes and eateries. The construction of the Upper Yarra Reservoir in 1957 reduced the river's flow by around 50%. Upstream of Launching Place the river becomes quite narrow and recreational use is limited. 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 Yarra River once held the world's largest swimming event, the Race to Prince's Bridge. Melbourne, Victorias state capital, was established on the lower reaches of the river in 1835. Our iconic waterways are the lifeblood of Melbournes natural landscape learn how you can help look after them. 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. Nature being nature, sometimes conditions can change at short notice. First, Australian explorer John Batman bought approximately 2,400 square kilometers of land surrounding the river from the Wurundjeri people. It is mostly concentrated in central Melbourne where cruises go up and down the river and ferries operate. 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. Would you like to see more improved bioretention systems and more, Ocean Protect were proud to support the South Australian Stormwater Symposium on Thursday, 8th September 2022. 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 Yarra Rivers journey begins on the southern slopes of the Great Dividing Range and twists through the forested valleys of the Yarra Ranges and its quaint regional towns before concluding its journey on the muddy flats of Port Phillip Bay. In February 1972, the CBD was flooded as the natural watercourse of Elizabeth Street became a raging torrent. Please see our, Shallow Waters - River Channel Downstream of Charles Grimes Bridge, Bellbird Picnic Area (Yarra Bend Park, Yarra River), Banksia Park Picnic Area (Yarra River, Yarra Valley Parklands), Big Peninsula Picnic Area (Yarra River, Yarra Ranges National Park), Banksia Park West Lawns (Yarra Valley Parklands, Yarra River), Dights Falls Loop Trail (Yarra River, Yarra Bend Park), Golf Course (Yarra River, Yarra Bend Park), Herring Island floating landing (Yarra River), Jumping Creek Reserve (Yarra River, Warrandyte State Park), Little Peninsula Picnic Area (Yarra River, Yarra Ranges National Park), Longridge Campground (Yarra Valley Parklands, Yarra River), Mount Lofty Canoe Trail (Yarra River, Yarra River Heritage River, Warrandyte State Park), Norman Reserve (Yarra River, Warrandyte State Park), Pound Bend Reserve (Yarra River, Warrandyte State Park), Studley Park Boathouse and Picnic Area (Yarra Bend Park, Yarra River), Taroona Reserve (Yarra River, Warrandyte State Park), Westfield Extension Circuit Trail (Yarra River, Yarra Bend Park), Yarra River - Johnston Street to Dights Falls (Yarra River, Lower Yarra River land), Yarra River - Spencer St Bridge to Queens Bridge (Yarra River), Yarra River - MacRobertson Bridge to Bridge Road (Yarra River), Yarra River - Church St Bridge to MacRobertson Bridge (Yarra River, Herring Island Environmental Sculpture Park), Yarra River - Swan St Bridge to Morell Bridge (Yarra River), Yarra River - Charles Grimes Bridge to Spencer St Bridge (Yarra River), Yarra River - Queen St Bridge to Princes Bridge (Yarra River), Yarra River - Princes Bridge to Swan St Bridge (Princes Warf, Yarra River), Yarra River - Morell Bridge to Church St Bridge (Yarra River), Lower Yarra River Future Directions Plan 2001 (PDF), Lower Yarra River recommendations on Future Funding, Governance and Strategeic Considerations for Lower Yarra River management (PDF), Burndap Birrarung burndap umarkoo - Yarra Strategic Plan. At its most easterly point, it is fed by many small unnamed creeks and streams that begin in the Yarra Ranges within the Yarra Ranges National Park, which are sometimes fed by snowfalls. 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. 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. The Yarra River soon became polluted with sewer and industrial waste. 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. Enjoy the leafy grounds and abundant wildlife while strolling or biking its many trails. 4. 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