Outside of Melbourne, settlement in the Yarra Valley represented a very significant segment in the history and economic development of the state of Victoria. 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. In August, 1896, Skookum Jim and his family found gold near the Klondike River in Canada's Yukon Territory. The river is home to several species of fish. Manna gums can be found along the rivers upper reaches, and are an important food source for koalas. In the lower reaches of the Yarra mainly southern black bream[35] and jellyfish and in the upper reaches smaller quantities of European perch (redfin), Macquarie perch, brown trout, Murray cod and freshwater catfish. Some well-known placer locations along the river include: McPhaul placer: A gold mine located around 200 feet northeast . With two legislative days remaining until Crossover Day, legislators and lobbyists spent all . [citation needed]. . You can leap from the cliff faces into the flowing water, or clamber across the smooth rocks in the shallow sections. The river flows atop layers of silt that built up within an ancient river valley around 10,000-15,000 years ago. Tourists can also relax and enjoy in the cruises in this area. EPA forecasts water quality for 4 sites along the Yarra River in partnership with Melbourne Water. In 1891, the great flood caused the Yarra to swell to 305 metres (1,001ft) in width. Westward view from Batmans Hill painting by Robert Russell based on sketch from 1836 or 1837. Whilst the water is not particularly clear, its quality is sufficient for edible fish to swim within it. The Yarra River has two other names the upside down river and Birrarung. Widening and dams, like the Upper Yarra Reservoir have helped protect Melbourne from major flooding. There is a population of Macquarie perch and some Murray cod. Around this area there are submerged mining shafts which can cause undertows that suck swimmers under the surface and into these shafts. Herring Island, an artificial island on the Yarra River is a haven for nature and art lovers alike. In the rivers upper reaches, fishing is most popular. 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. The great flood of 1891. It is mostly concentrated in central Melbourne where cruises go up and down the river and ferries operate. The Yarra has greatly improved since the 1970s and 80s, thanks to an expanding sewerage system servicing Melbournes industry and suburbs. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. At certain times of the year, particularly during the Moomba Festival, this stretch of the river is occupied by water skiing courses and jumps. 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. River red gums form a tree canopy with a dense understorey of silver wattles, river bottlebrush, prickly currant bush and tree violet. Flows in the Yarra and its tributaries have been significantly altered by numerous dams and the extraction of water for agriculture. 6. With the Avon, Canning and Helena Rivers as its main tributaries, the Swan river's lower reaches are deep and wide while the upper reaches very shallow and narrow. Shortly after the arrival of European settlers, land clearing forced the remaining Wurundjeri people into neighbouring territories and away from the river. 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. Being a considerably thin river for almost its entire length, there are very few islands or lakes. Some of the more prominent and historical crossings include;[39], Several reserves have been set aside adjoining the Yarra, mostly to preserve the natural environment or for recreation, many of these are managed and operated by Parks Victoria, the state government agency responsible for the management of Victoria's national parks and other reserves. Stocked near the Yarra River junction in 1999 with Macquarie perch by Native Fish Australia. Most features have been named after translated Woiwurrung phrases or have European, particularly British, origins. The final section passes through the Port of Melbourne and under the Bolte Bridge and the West Gate Bridge. All rights reserved. Minimum depth at low tide may be less than 2m. By clicking Sign up, you agree to receive marketing emails from Insider Follow our water safety advice to make sure your day out at Yarra River is a safe and enjoyable one. In March 2019, it was reported that the river's environmental health is at risk due to litter, pollution, pets and urban development. By using our site you accept that we use and share cookies and similar technologies with certain approved third parties. But the Wurundjeri believed that they had simply taken part in a friendship ceremony, and were granting Batman leave to pass through their country. Did you know: Each year, volunteers spend an incredible 50,000 hours working in parks along the Yarra. There are easy walks and tracks around this area. 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. From bushland to wetlands and everything in between, parks provide habitat to an abundance of common and rare bird species. The river was utilised primarily for agriculture by early European settlers. [citation needed]. The river was partially dammed at Pound Bend near Normans Reserve at its eastern entrance and near Bob's wetlands at its western exit. The banks of the Yarra River are popular for cycling, running and walking where most paths are sealed and in good condition. Habitat loss has slowed in recent years thanks to revegetation, erosion control and removal of fish migration barriers. Below is a list of the river's geographical features, including tributaries (shown in bold) and man-made features or townships (shown in italics), for bearings (from downstream to upstream):[1]. Explore water quality across the Yarra. When the river water combines with marine salts as it enters Port Phillip, the suspended particles clump together and sink. [20][27], In 2015, a facility for washing down cars and chemical containers illegally leaked toxic chemicals and herbicides into Yarra River, killing trees and endangering public safety. The river's resources were utilised sustainably by the Wurundjeri until European settlement in the early-mid-19th century. 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. Enjoy the leafy grounds and abundant wildlife while strolling or biking its many trails. The walking trail features placards displaying some of their paintings at the settings they were actually painted; some features depicted remain clearly recognisable today. Learn about grants available to support innovation, liveability and collaboration across water management, and improve river health. Further upstream, the Cremorne Gardens were established in 1853. The Yarra River is colloquially known as "the upside down river", for its golden hue. [9], Upon European arrival it was given the name 'Yarra Yarra' by John Helder Wedge of the Port Phillip Association in 1835,[10] in the mistaken belief that this was the name for the river in the Boonwurrung language. The Yarra River originates upstream of the Upper Yarra Reservoir in steep forest, with an annual rainfall more than 1,400 mm. 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. 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. Since its creation it has been the home of hundreds of ancient American Indian tribes. The Yarra River then turns westwards at Healesville and thence to Yarra Glen. Beyond Warburton there are very few crossings available. The river that runs upside-down: The Yarra River is often referred to as the upside-down river because of its brown colour. Not recommend. The construction of the Upper Yarra Reservoir in 1957 reduced the river's flow by around 50%. Stokes River Tributary of Glenelg 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 creation of new shipping channels to cope with the growing use of the Yarra by cargo ships was first tabled in the 1870s. The catchment's upper reaches are also affected by logging. 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. Throughout its length, the waters of the Yarra River and its banks are used for; boating, rowing, water skiing, kayaking, canoeing, swimming, fishing, cycling, running and walking, amongst other things. [citation needed], The first major change came with the cutting of the Coode Canal between 1880 and 1886. [citation needed]. We pay our respects to Elders past, present and emerging. 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 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. However almost all of the fish are contaminated with heavy metals including arsenic and not fit for human consumption. [31][32] The Yarra Riverkeeper Association or YRKA for short view the Yarra River as Melbourne's greatest natural asset and educate that its preservation and restoration is vital in helping Melbourne become a sustainable city. Shipping activity at Victoria Dock during this time had gone into steep decline and it was almost disused by the mid-1970s. 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. It's still dark, the water is 10.4 degrees Celsius and the centre of Melbourne is just 4 kilometres away. Its up to all of us to play our part to protect this special natural resource for generations to come.. The presence of clay particles is not a major factor in the pollution of the river. Platypus are rarely seen as far downstream as Fairfield. Keep an eye out to make some new feathered friends. Hire a canoe at historic Studley Park Boathouse, paddle upstream, and spot flying foxes. Small historical bridges can be found further downstream including the Banksia Street, Fitzsimons Lane and Warrandyte Bridges. The last time the Yarra experienced a major flood was in 1934, when the region endured 48 hours of . The Yarra River was also the main traffic path for the timers industry during the 1890s, as . 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. To the Wurundjeri people the river, known as Birrarung, was the life source and an important meeting place. 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. Image compiled by J. Blundell, from State Library Victoria. In 1835, Tasmanian farmer John Batman claimed he had bought the river and surrounding land from the Wurundjeri people in exchange for goods. Before European settlement, the Yarra River was a major food source and meeting place for local indigenous people, the Wurundjeri people. The Yarra River hosts a wide range of geographical features, perhaps the most plentiful of which are billabongs, of which there are over 100, particularly in the floodplains near Yering, Yarra Glen and Coldstream.Being a considerably thin river for almost its entire length, there are very few islands or lakes.In the middle reaches there are a few rapids of easy to moderate difficulty, however . Some industrial companies continue to use the Yarra as a dumping ground. There is a maximum speed limit of 9 kilometres per hour (4.9kn) for all boats operating on the river. They replied 'Yarro Yarro', meaning 'it flows'. Enjoy the tranquility and spot wildlife that hikers dont normally see. 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. The area surrounding the Yarra River was first inhabited by the Boonwurrung and Wurundjeri peoples of the Kulin nation. It's still going strong and Sandi pops in to reconnect with this icon of hospitality. Devastating flooding was also a regular feature of the original narrow, twisting waterway. The Yarra River soon became polluted with sewer and industrial waste. 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. From there, continuously weed out the bigger rocks and pebbles. In the middle reaches, canoeing and kayaking is popular, there are a few rapids of easy to medium difficulty depending on the water level. The Wurundjeri people have always had a deep connection to the river. The strong brown, muddy colour of the river is caused by clay soils. Canoeing and kayaking are great ways to explore beautiful waterways. Check the fire danger ratings before you visit on hot days. First, Australian explorer John Batman bought approximately 2,400 square kilometers of land surrounding the river from the Wurundjeri people. In February 1972, the CBD was flooded as the natural watercourse of Elizabeth Street became a raging torrent. Mention the Yarra River and you might think of the last few kilometres that cut through the city but its so much more. Native grasses provide food for parrots, wombats, wallabies and kangaroos. We pay our deepest respects to their Elders past, present and emerging. 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. Go for a wander and see how many you can spot. The Aboriginal people belonging to the Kulin nation, particularly Wurundjeri and Boonwurrung, were the first people to settle along the Yarra River. 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. [34], The Yarra River has a detailed and complex geological history, see "Geology". [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 Yarra River is part of an Aboriginal cultural landscape that includes traditional Country of the Wurundjeri People. Copyright Ocean Protect 2022. 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. Their discovery sparked one of the most frantic gold rushes in history. 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. [15], The Port Phillip settlement, that would become Melbourne, was established along the lower banks of the Yarra in 1835. Image from State Library Victoria. Boating is difficult beyond Hawthorn and impossible past Dights Falls. 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. In recent decades, developments such as the Victorian Arts Centre, Southbank, the Exhibition Centre, Federation Square and Docklands have transformed the waterfront. And Warrandyte bridges contaminated with heavy metals including arsenic and not fit for consumption. 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