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. In a town without sewerage or waste disposal, the formerly pristine Yarra soon became one of the worlds dirtiest rivers a place to dispose of all things foul. The great flood of 1891. Yarra Bend Park is the largest area of natural bushland near the heart of Melbourne. Gold was discovered in the suburb of Warrandyte at Andersons Creek, one of Yarras tributaries, in 1851, marking the beginning of the Victorian gold rush. The name 'Yarra' is attributed to surveyor John Wedge, who in the 'Rebecca' accompanied John Batman on the 1835 party of exploration on behalf of the Launceston-based Port Phillip Association. Observe fire restrictions on Total Fire Ban days. 4. It is mostly concentrated in central Melbourne where cruises go up and down the river and ferries operate. View annual progress towards 10-year targets for waterways in the catchment, as set out in the strategy. Upstream of Launching Place the river becomes quite narrow and recreational use is limited. The Woods Point Rd follows the river through this section. [19][20] The project was completed in November 2009. 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. Parks Victoria is proud to be a key partner in the implementation of the Yarra Strategic Plan, Burndap Birrarung burndap umarkoo. The approximate location of the site is marked by a cairn on Fourth Hill in the Warrandyte State Park. The majority of waste from homes and industries flowed into street channels and on to local rivers and creeks which became open sewers. 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. The presence of clay particles is not a major factor in the pollution of the river. The campground is well-equipped for a cookout, with a wood BBQ, picnic tables, drinking water and a dishwashing area. [citation needed]. However almost all of the fish are contaminated with heavy metals including arsenic and not fit for human consumption. The Future Directions Plan and Recreation Guidelines for the Lower Yarra River, reaching from Dights Falls to Port Phillip Bay, provides a framework enabling the competing demands of all users of the river to be safely balanced while maintaining the rivers environmental values. By the following year almost 200 Europeans had settled on the rivers banks, growing to 500,000 people by 1860 once gold was discovered at one of the rivers tributaries in Warrandyte. [citation needed]. 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. In 1891, the great flood caused the Yarra to swell to 305 metres (1,001ft) in width. 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. The, Are you sick of seeing bioretention systems in disrepair? By continuing to use our site you consent to this. Congratulations Yarra Riverkeeper: Ian Penrose! By 1942, 650m of the old course of the Yarra River at Coode Island had been filled in, by the 1950s it had been completely filled and land parcels were allocated including a site for the new Fish Markets. [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. Around 2000, the river became a focus of major government projects. 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 first step is finding the right spot in the river where the gold might collect, such as a crook in the bedrock, idle pools, log jams, inside corners of rivers or spaces between boulders.. The Yarra has something for everyone! In the lower reaches, the river is mostly used for rowing, there are several rowing sheds along the city stretch east of the Princes Bridge and many private schools have rowing clubs with sheds and berths on the river. But the Wurundjeri believed that they had simply taken part in a friendship ceremony, and were granting Batman leave to pass through their country. The last time the Yarra experienced a major flood was in 1934, when the region endured 48 hours of . To protect the city from flooding, a series of works began in 1879 to widen and straighten the river. Beyond Warburton there are very few crossings available. The Yarra River is colloquially known as "the upside down river", for its golden hue. First, Australian explorer John Batman bought approximately 2,400 square kilometers of land surrounding the river from the Wurundjeri people. 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 Wurundjeri people caught eels in the lagoons and swamps of the river and also fished using funnel shaped fish pots. 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. Join in on the rich events calendar from the famous Moomba Festival to regattas and rowing races, the Dragon Boat Festival and an endless array of community events. 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 . 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. Some well-known placer locations along the river include: McPhaul placer: A gold mine located around 200 feet northeast . Several Aboriginal Australians have lived along the river for thousands of years, using it as their meeting place and food and water source. 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. Snowy River. [21] Early industry located along the river contributed great amounts of pollution such as dangerous chemicals, grease, oil and heavy metals. 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. The first permanent crossing over the river was Princes Bridge, which first opened as a wooden trestle bridge in 1844. At certain times of the year, particularly during the Moomba Festival, this stretch of the river is occupied by water skiing courses and jumps. flickr/daniel montemayor. In the rivers upper reaches, fishing is most popular. The river hosts many geographical features such as; bends, rapids, lakes, islands, floodplains, billabongs and wetlands. Pound Bend has a delightful picnic area with tables, toilets, a canoe launching ramp and great views of the river. With the pan still underwater, slosh the muddy mix back and forth. In 1957, the Upper Yarra Reservoir was constructed, primarily to alleviate flooding downstream. The Basin extends 120 km from forested mountains in the east to the City of Melbourne with its northern boundary formed by the Great Dividing Range. An example of this is the tunnel at Pound Bend in Warrandyte. From Warburton, farms begin to emerge on the banks of the Yarra River, including dairy and beef farms. Being a considerably thin river for almost its entire length, there are very few islands or lakes. River red gums form a tree canopy with a dense understorey of silver wattles, river bottlebrush, prickly currant bush and tree violet. But they weren't the only ones demanding action under the Gold Dome. The river's lower reaches travel through central Melbourne. 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. 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. Explore Nature's Heaven - Royal Botanic Gardens. Gold was first discovered in Victoria near the Yarra River in Warrandyte. Indeed, starting in 1905, the annual Henley Regatta on the Yarra became a fixture of . 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. However, the Aboriginals later denied selling the land to Batman, saying they only permitted him to pass through their land. 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. The Yarra was for say nicknamed the upside down river because of the way some of it looked. Yarra Watch season is now open. Shortly after the arrival of European settlers, land clearing forced the remaining Wurundjeri people into neighbouring territories and away from the river. 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. By clicking Sign up, you agree to receive marketing emails from Insider This iconic river flows 242 kilometres from its source on Mt Baw Baw in the Yarra Ranges National Park, north-east of Melbourne, all the way to Port Phillip Bay. Sure, it's not really suitable for swimming or drinking, and sometimes it smells funny - but that's what us Melburnians love about it. [29] The muddy brown colour is caused by the easily eroded clay soils of its catchment area. The plan gives effect to the community's long-term vision for the Yarra and supports collaborative management of the river and its lands. 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. The lowest section of the Yarra is an estuary, where salt water from Port Phillip Bay travels about 10 kilometres upstream. Whilst the water is not particularly clear, its quality is sufficient for edible fish to swim within it. Its waters spread diseases like diphtheria, dysentery, typhoid and scarlet fever, until the Werribee Farm was built to treat sewage in 1897. 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. 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. The final section passes through the Port of Melbourne and under the Bolte Bridge and the West Gate Bridge. There is a canoe launching ramp only 100m from the campground. The basin is home to over 190 bird species, including honeyeaters, waterbirds, birds of prey, and songbirds. 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. 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. But this growth came at a cost. 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. 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. [citation needed]. Following this, the river was widened to protect Melbourne residents from future flooding. Surround yourself with the majestic views of Melbourne's cityscape views on the renowned Yarra River. Go for a swim in the river to cool down, or set off in a canoe to explore all that the Yarra has to offer. Freshwater catfish have been caught at Westerfolds . When the river water combines with marine salts as it enters Port Phillip, the suspended particles clump together and sink. [7], The annual Moomba festival celebrates the Yarra River's increasing cultural significance to Melbourne. 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 . The facility was situated inside Warrandyte State Park, from where the spillover until June 2015 flowed into the river and downstream towards Melbourne. It's still going strong and Sandi pops in to reconnect with this icon of hospitality. There is a maximum speed limit of 9 kilometres per hour (4.9kn) for all boats operating on the river. . The creation of new shipping channels to cope with the growing use of the Yarra by cargo ships was first tabled in the 1870s. Industrialisation ultimately led to the destruction of the marshlands at the confluence of the Yarra and Maribyrnong Rivers in the area around Coode Island in West Melbourne. 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. Then the river turns northwards at Woori Yallock and flows through the Yarra Valley wine region. 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 Yarra River, no doubt is the iconic heart of Melbourne as it meanders through the heart of Melbourne City. Each summer the Herring Island Summer Festival takes over the island to celebrate contemporary Australian art. To the Wurundjeri people the river, known as Birrarung, was the life source and an important meeting place. Elemental to Melbourne's identity, the Yarra River is one of Victoria's iconic waterways. 9. There is a population of Macquarie perch and some Murray cod. 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). Yarra River. Depart from Southgate on the Spirit of Melbourne, a vessel that offers encompassing glass viewing areas as you dine away and pass Melbourne's parks, gardens and sport's stadiums and more. Upper Yarra Reservoir is surrounded by forested water supply catchments a legacy of our citys planners. 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. High levels of E. coli, some up to 200 times the safe limit in its tributaries, are caused primarily by poorly maintained septic systems.[23]. [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. 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. 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