Native grasses provide food for parrots, wombats, wallabies and kangaroos. Since its establishment in 2004, YRKA has delivered hundreds of presentations and lectures, been in over 200 media appearances and provide on-water inspection tours to over 200 community leaders, business leaders, and politicians. Between 8000 BC and 6000 BC, after the end of the most recent Ice Age, the rising sea level flooded the lower basin forming the shallow Port Phillip Bay, moving the Yarra river mouth over 50km (31mi) inland. This industrialisation also led to a steady deterioration in water quality during the 19th century and into the 20th. The common species include Nankeen Night Heron and White-faced Heron. With the pan still underwater, slosh the muddy mix back and forth. The clay soil in the region breaks up into tiny particles and dissipates throughout the whole of the river. Once vast, they are a precious and fragile resource and vulnerable to introduced grasses, soil disturbance, grazing, mowing and fertilisers. By using our site you accept that we use and share cookies and similar technologies with certain approved third parties. Freshwater catfish have been caught at Westerfolds . Sections of the river are occasionally closed for public events such as Moomba, New Year's Eve and Rowing events. A four-year-long boom soon followed, and today Gila River is one of the more famous gold panning locations in the state. Herring Island is a small island at South Yarra which has a punt which takes people on to the park. 9. They replied 'Yarro Yarro', meaning 'it flows'. Prior to settlements, the area now occupied by Elizabeth street was a gully off the river. 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. Observe fire restrictions on Total Fire Ban days. The Yarra was for say nicknamed the upside down river because of the way some of it looked. 4. The Yarra River soon became polluted with sewer and industrial waste. 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 . 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. 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. The great flood of 1891. Whether you're seeking relaxation or adventure, parks offer a variety of day trips close to Melbourne. The Yarra River has two other names the upside down river and Birrarung. Environmental sculptures made from natural materials reflect the islands tranquil setting and make for a great day out. La Camera, Southgate as well as other partner offers and accept our. [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]. Large vessels should navigate the area with caution. The river is used extensively for kayaking at Templestowe, and canoes can often be seen throughout the suburban section. 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]. River red gums form a tree canopy with a dense understorey of silver wattles, river bottlebrush, prickly currant bush and tree violet. Stay up to date with what you want to know. Spring Hill Creek Tributary of Mount Emu Creek. Its a good idea to check this page ahead of your visit for any updates. In March 2019, it was reported that the river's environmental health is at risk due to litter, pollution, pets and urban development. 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. Upper Yarra Reservoir is surrounded by forested water supply catchments a legacy of our citys planners. In fact, it's illegal to swim in the Yarra anywhere south of Gipps Street in Abbotsford, in Melbourne's inner-east. [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. 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. 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. "Gazetteer of Australia Place Name Search", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Geography_of_the_Yarra_River&oldid=1137384069, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0, This page was last edited on 4 February 2023, at 09:57. There is a canoe launching ramp only 100m from the campground. The river enters Melbourne's suburbs proper at Chirnside Park, but virtually all the river's length is surrounded by parkland, much retaining (or having been replanted with) extensive native vegetation. 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. 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. There is a population of Macquarie perch and some Murray cod. Through the 1970s and 1980s, many desirable developments alongside the river began, such as the Victorian Arts Centre, as its lower courses progressively became gentrified. Early industries grew along the banks of the river, rapidly degrading the water quality. This section is a declared water catchment and is closed . St Arnaud Creek Tributary of Carapooee Creek. The city reach which is inaccessible to larger watercrafts, has seen increased use for both transport and recreational boating (including kayaking, canoeing, rowing and swimming). To the Wurundjeri people the river, known as Birrarung, was the life source and an important meeting place. 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. 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. Stockyard Creek. Swanson Dock was constructed between 1966 and 1972 equipped for modern container shipping. 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. To the Wurundjeri people the river, known as Birrarung, was the life source and an important meeting place. 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. Pound Bend has a delightful picnic area with tables, toilets, a canoe launching ramp and great views of the river. 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 . 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. The river can be used by any member of the public provided they abide by the rules of Parks Victoria who administer the river upstream of Bolte Bridge and the Port of Melbourne Corporation who administer the area downstream of Bolte Bridge. [39], The river is navigable by most boats from its entrance in Hobsons Bay to Dights Falls, a stretch of 22km (14mi), and is subject to tidal variations and submerged objects. The river's upper portion is a swampy area in the Yarra Ranges National Park. 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. Image compiled by J. Blundell, from State Library Victoria. Melbourne, Victorias state capital, was established on the lower reaches of the river in 1835. In recent decades, developments such as the Victorian Arts Centre, Southbank, the Exhibition Centre, Federation Square and Docklands have transformed the waterfront. . It rises at an elevation of 792 meters above sea level and drops to sea level at Port Philip. The Wurundjeri people named the river Birrarung and used it sustainably until the European arrival. One of the best ways you can get into nature is with a Licensed Tour Operator. 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. But the Wurundjeri believed that they had simply taken part in a friendship ceremony, and were granting Batman leave to pass through their country. Ian Penrose, founder of the Yarra Riverkeeper Association. Heidelberg formed the home of the Heidelberg School, widely considered the first European painters to accurately capture the Australian landscape and its distinctive features. 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. [15], The Port Phillip settlement, that would become Melbourne, was established along the lower banks of the Yarra in 1835. Katherine River. 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 first of many crossings of the Yarra River to facilitate transport was built in Princes Bridge. Stokes River Tributary of Glenelg River. 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. First, Australian explorer John Batman bought approximately 2,400 square kilometers of land surrounding the river from the Wurundjeri people. This article contains explanations and lists of the river's tributaries and other geographic features. But that doesn't stop a group of intrepid swimmers taking the plunge into the Yarra River at inner-city Fairfield most mornings. 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. Theres plenty of the Yarra to explore beyond the city. Not recommend. Our Sydney office/warehouse has moved to 60 Lyn Parade, Prestons, NSW 2170, The study Biofiltrations effect on removing pollutants in stormwater was recently published in the Australian Water Association Water e-Journal. Water quality is good in the upper catchment but deteriorates downstream, due to agriculture, urban development and the resulting stormwater pollution. Follow our water safety advice to make sure your day out at Yarra River is a safe and enjoyable one. 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 facility was situated inside Warrandyte State Park, from where the spillover until June 2015 flowed into the river and downstream towards Melbourne. 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. Manna gums can be found along the rivers upper reaches, and are an important food source for koalas. You can leap from the cliff faces into the flowing water, or clamber across the smooth rocks in the shallow sections. This is an important spawning and nursery area for brown trout from the Yarra River. Stocked near the Yarra River junction in 1999 with Macquarie perch by Native Fish Australia. So where is this picturesque spot? In August, 1896, Skookum Jim and his family found gold near the Klondike River in Canada's Yukon Territory. 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. Enjoy the tranquility and spot wildlife that hikers dont normally see. 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. However, the increased industrialization came at a cost. Elemental to Melbournes identity, the Yarra River is one of Victorias iconic waterways. However, it took another 32 years for European explorers to visit the river. Habitat loss has slowed in recent years thanks to revegetation, erosion control and removal of fish migration barriers. From Reefton, the river flows through the temperate forests to Warburton. To find a good stream, it's probably worth joining the Gold Prospectors Association of America or searching for a mining club on Facebook in your area. 3. 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