"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. Growing high density residential development in the lower reaches in the early 1990s coincided with minor government programs such as the installation of litter traps. 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. It was feared that dredging would disturb heavy metals and other toxic sediments mostly deposited during Melbourne's industrial era. Outside of Melbourne, settlement in the Yarra Valley represented a very significant segment in the history and economic development of the state of Victoria. Wedge asked local aborigines what they called the cascading waters on the lower section of the river. The Yarra River is also home to other creatures; there are 18 species of frogs, 57 species of wetland birds and 113 species of streamside birds as well as waterbugs and platypus. 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. Each summer the Herring Island Summer Festival takes over the island to celebrate contemporary Australian art. 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. The final section passes through the Port of Melbourne and under the Bolte Bridge and the West Gate Bridge. Oils and grease remain today in several tributaries in the lower reaches such as Merri Creek and Moonee Ponds Creek.[22]. Yarra Ranges Shire Council Flood information for the Yarra Ranges Shire Council, encompassing local flood guides and a Municipal Flood Emergency Plan. An example of this is the tunnel at Pound Bend in Warrandyte. Once vast, they are a precious and fragile resource and vulnerable to introduced grasses, soil disturbance, grazing, mowing and fertilisers. [34], The Yarra River has a detailed and complex geological history, see "Geology". I discovered this during one year of the birdman rally where annually people fly off a bridge into the murky muddy Yarra river waters. The channel immediately downstream of Charles Grimes Bridge in the vicinity of Yarra's Edge Marina has reduced water depth as a result of sediment build up. 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. The Yarra River is colloquially known as "the upside down river", for its golden hue. With two legislative days remaining until Crossover Day, legislators and lobbyists spent all . The river now compares favourably with many metropolitan rivers overseas. Image compiled by J. Blundell, from State Library Victoria. It has spiritual and cultural significance for Aboriginal communities. Abattoirs, smelters and even mortuaries were to use the river as a means of waste disposal in its lower reaches. The river's source is a series of swamps in the upper reaches of the Yarra Ranges National Park, directly to the west of the Mount Baw Baw plateau, a thickly forested subalpine park, which is entirely closed-off to all except the employees of Melbourne Water. There's also a lot of rubbish in the Yarra near the city. EPA forecasts water quality for 4 sites along the Yarra River in partnership with Melbourne Water. The walking trail features placards displaying some of their paintings at the settings they were actually painted; some features depicted remain clearly recognisable today. New ferry services and water taxis sprang up along the city reach, servicing as far up river as South Yarra and out to Hobsons Bay. Members of the public flooded the State Capitol again on Tuesday. Delivering the plan is a Victorian Government commitment to protect our treasured Yarra River, Birrarung, and its parklands for future generations. However, the increased industrialization came at a cost. The park features steep river escarpments, open woodlands, playing fields and golf courses. Richard Bourke, the New South Wales Governor, declared the purchase treaty (Batmans Treaty) invalid on August 26, 1835. 5. La Camera, Southgate Early industries grew along the banks of the river, rapidly degrading the water quality. The banks of the Yarra River are popular for cycling, running and walking where most paths are sealed and in good condition. It's still going strong and Sandi pops in to reconnect with this icon of hospitality. The Wurundjeri people named the river Birrarung and used it sustainably until the European arrival. [29] The muddy brown colour is caused by the easily eroded clay soils of its catchment area. Did you know: More than one-third of Victorias population lives in the Yarra catchment, which spans about 4000 square kilometres. The study also found that 70 per cent of Victorians dont know that stormwater is the leading source of pollution in city and suburban waterways include the Yarra. It rises at an elevation of 792 meters above sea level and drops to sea level at Port Philip. The race often attracted greater than 500 competitors and large numbers of onlookers seeking to experience the spectacle. 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. Pound Bend has a delightful picnic area with tables, toilets, a canoe launching ramp and great views of the river. In the zone for flavour, texture and length. Gold was first discovered in Victoria near the Yarra River in Warrandyte. The park features extensive stands of mountain ash, a very tall eucalypt, tree ferns, as well as patches of remnant rainforest. It's illegal to swim in the Yarra River south of Gipps Street in Abbotsford. 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. Yarra River. 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. Snowy River. Herring Island is a small island at South Yarra which has a punt which takes people on to the park. As rivers, lakes and reservoirs are natural environments, you may encounter hazards. But that doesn't stop a group of intrepid swimmers taking the plunge into the Yarra River at inner-city Fairfield most mornings. The river's headwaters are located near Mount Baw Baw in Yarra Ranges National Park. 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. Most features have been named after translated Woiwurrung phrases or have European, particularly British, origins. 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 However, the Aboriginals later denied selling the land to Batman, saying they only permitted him to pass through their land. [citation needed]. The upper river section flows through mountainous and forested areas that have been protected for more than 100 years to ensure the river provides quality drinking water. Miners then blasted a 145m long tunnel through solid rock. Boating is difficult beyond Hawthorn and impossible past Dights Falls. The course has been progressively disrupted and the river widened in places. All rights reserved. The river that runs upside-down: The Yarra River is often referred to as the upside-down river because of its brown colour. In recent decades, developments such as the Victorian Arts Centre, Southbank, the Exhibition Centre, Federation Square and Docklands have transformed the waterfront. The disposal of sewerage in Melbourne was very basic in the early days. 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. Some well-known placer locations along the river include: McPhaul placer: A gold mine located around 200 feet northeast . Discover more than 60 different types of nature-based experiences including hiking, mountain biking, boating, four-wheel driving, indigenous culture tours, birdwatching, surfing, diving and so much more. Image from State Library Victoria. The approximate location of the site is marked by a cairn on Fourth Hill in the Warrandyte State Park. First, Australian explorer John Batman bought approximately 2,400 square kilometers of land surrounding the river from the Wurundjeri people. A growing number of people are heading to the streams and rivers in search of gold. Projects were proposed to connect Flinders Street station with the river and early proposals were for the Melbourne Museum to be situated on the south bank of the river; however the Crown Melbourne and Melbourne Convention & Exhibition Centre were built in its place. 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. Did you know: Each year, volunteers spend an incredible 50,000 hours working in parks along the Yarra. 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. 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). They replied 'Yarro Yarro', meaning 'it flows'. 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. In the same year, a small settlement that later became Melbourne developed on the rivers lower reaches. It provided many resources and important places for spiritual and community activity, like birthplaces and ceremonial and burial grounds. Rushes and sedges often line the banks. Some industrial companies continue to use the Yarra as a dumping ground. This industrialisation also led to a steady deterioration in water quality during the 19th century and into the 20th. The Yarra River begins its journey through Melbourne at Chirnside Park, marking the start of its middle reaches. [citation needed], Gold was first discovered in Victoria near the Yarra River in Warrandyte. Widening and dams, like the Upper Yarra Reservoir have helped protect Melbourne from major flooding. 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. Spring Hill Creek Tributary of Mount Emu Creek. Riparian scrub occurs along much of the 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. 12:04 - I ask him if there are similarities between the waters in Europe and the stuff over here we're gonna be hitting. The river, known to the Wurundjeri people as Birrarung, was an important resource for the Wurundjeri people and several sites along the river and its tributaries were important meeting places where corroborees were held between Indigenous communities. He selected a site on the northern bank of the Yarra River, declaring that "this will be the place for a village". Elemental to Melbourne's identity, the Yarra River is one of Victoria's iconic waterways. Around 2000, the river became a focus of major government projects. The Yarra River basin is home to almost 30% of the animal species in Victoria. It is the cleanest stretch of the Yarra River to swim in, and it is about a 40-minute drive from the city. Swimming is also popular in the middle reaches throughout winter, particularly around Warrandyte. [At the Yarra Riverkeeper Association] our activities include monitoring the health of the Yarra and any developments through our regular boat patrols, water testing, speaking with river stakeholders, running community forums and tours, publicising and educating the public, schools and others while supporting other community groups and authorities that help the river. It has abundant brown trout to 275 g, river blackfish to 200 g, roach and short-finned eels. 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. The Wurundjeri people caught eels in the lagoons and swamps of the river and also fished using funnel shaped fish pots. Access your favorite topics in a personalized feed while you're on the go. When the river water combines with marine salts as it enters Port Phillip, the suspended particles clump together and sink. 2016 Yering Station Estate Chardonnay Yarra Valley SKU #1424727 95 points James Halliday Straw-yellow. 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. 3. Alaska Native and First Nations communities adapted to hold onto another kind of wealth: their culture, land, and way of life. The Yarra River's 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. 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. Beyond Warburton there are very few crossings available. It has spiritual and cultural significance for Aboriginal communities. One-third of Victorias animal species are found in the Yarra catchment, including: More than 25 unique vegetation communities make their home along the river and its billabongs, wetlands and swamps: For an in-depth look at plant and animal species you might find, view our wildlife guide: Whether youre into walking, cycling, paddling or socialising, the Yarra has something to offer. 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. Despite being one of the citys most recognisable natural landmarks, even locals know little about the Yarra River. The last time the Yarra experienced a major flood was in 1934, when the region endured 48 hours of . The area surrounding the Yarra River was first inhabited by the Boonwurrung and Wurundjeri peoples of the Kulin nation. 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. The Yarra was for say nicknamed the upside down river because of the way some of it looked. The first settlement the still-young river passes through is the small town of Reefton, but most of the river is surrounded by hills covered temperate forest until the timber and resort town of Warburton. Westward view from Batmans Hill painting by Robert Russell based on sketch from 1836 or 1837. [17] However, people continued to swim and drink the water until Melbourne's fresh water was sourced from elsewhere. We use reCAPTCHA to protect our website from spam, for more information about the data we collect see our privacy website statement. The Yarra has something for everyone! Initially known as "West Melbourne Dock", over 3million cubic yards (2.310^6m3) of material was excavated and a new dock was eventually opened in 1892, the material that was removed was subsequently used to fill in part of the West Melbourne Swamp, it took 6 days for water from the Yarra River to fill the dock. 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. Upstream of Launching Place the river becomes quite narrow and recreational use is limited. Because of its catchment area until Crossover Day, legislators and lobbyists spent all guides and Municipal... With two legislative days remaining until Crossover Day, legislators and lobbyists spent all at Chirnside park, the. 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