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. [citation needed]. The first Europeans to sail up the river was a surveying party led by Charles Grimes, Acting Surveyor General of New South Wales, who in 1803 sailed upstream to Dights Falls, where they could no longer continue due to the nature of the terrain. 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. 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. @thesurfingprospector6345. 1835 was an eventful year in the history of the Yarra River. To find the specks of gold or even a nugget or two, you will need to the right equipment and keen sense of where to find it. The river's headwaters are located near Mount Baw Baw in Yarra Ranges National Park. 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. The approximate location of the site is marked by a cairn on Fourth Hill in the Warrandyte State Park. 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. [citation needed] or 'river of mists'. From bushland to wetlands and everything in between, parks provide habitat to an abundance of common and rare bird species. This project involves replacing steep steps at Gipps Streetin Abbotsford with an elevated, curling walkway, improving how cyclists, people with prams and people with accessibility requirements can continue along the Trail. [citation needed]. La Camera, Southgate The course has been progressively disrupted and the river widened in places. Go for a wander and see how many you can spot. [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. 4. 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]. Enjoy the leafy grounds and abundant wildlife while strolling or biking its many trails. Rushes and sedges often line the banks. 14:30 - He walks us through his euro nymphing program. The community and authorities need to come together to take a closer interest in the Yarras ecology. Victorians are concerned about the health of the Yarra: Due to stormwater runoff, up to 350,000 cigarette butts enter the Yarra catchment every day, which is a small representation of the rubbish that makes its way into the river and locals are worried. 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. St Arnaud Creek Tributary of Carapooee Creek. [21] Early industry located along the river contributed great amounts of pollution such as dangerous chemicals, grease, oil and heavy metals. Beyond Warburton there are very few crossings available. Water quality is good in the upper catchment but deteriorates downstream, due to agriculture, urban development and the resulting stormwater pollution. It rises at an elevation of 792 meters above sea level and drops to sea level at Port Philip. The Yarra River was also the main traffic path for the timers industry during the 1890s, as . 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. [citation needed], 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. 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. In the rivers upper reaches, fishing is most popular. 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. The lower stretch of the river from Docklands to the Melbourne Cricket Ground was part of the final path of the Queen's Baton Relay of the 2006 Commonwealth Games. The river is used extensively for kayaking at Templestowe, and canoes can often be seen throughout the suburban section. 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. as well as other partner offers and accept our. Rowing is a long-standing tradition along the Yarra and the boat sheds are an integral part of the riverscape. Image from State Library Victoria. Agriculture and industrial development takes place in the middle and lower portions. In the 1840s a weir was built at Dights Falls to power a flour mill and to give some control over the river downstream from there. Of their contact with local Wurunderi people in 1835, John Wedge wrote:[11]. In the period 200408, 3 people died in this manner in Warrandyte alone. 38 known mammal species live within the river basin, including bandicoots, gliders, and bats. Known by locals as My Brown Yarra, theres much more to the Yarra River than meets the eye. An example of this is the tunnel at Pound Bend in Warrandyte. The Yarra River has two other names the upside down river and Birrarung. In the city's early days the Yarra was one of two major ports, the other being Sandridge (now Port Melbourne), but the Yarra was preferred due to the direct access to the town's main streets and was the location of Customs House (now the Immigration Museum). Cast a line and try your luck fishing in the river. Some well-known placer locations along the river include: McPhaul placer: A gold mine located around 200 feet northeast . It is mostly concentrated in central Melbourne where cruises go up and down the river and ferries operate. Acknowledgement of the countryWe acknowledge the Traditional Owners of the land where we work and live. 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. Yarra Bend Park is Melbourne's largest natural bushland park. Elemental to Melbournes identity, the Yarra River is one of Victorias iconic waterways. The river's resources were utilised sustainably by the Wurundjeri until European settlement in the early-mid-19th century. Spring Hill Creek Tributary of Mount Emu Creek. [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]. 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. 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. 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. Pound Bend has a delightful picnic area with tables, toilets, a canoe launching ramp and great views of the river. Herring Island, an artificial island on the Yarra River is a haven for nature and art lovers alike. [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. Stay up to date with what you want to know. It's still dark, the water is 10.4 degrees Celsius and the centre of Melbourne is just 4 kilometres away. 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 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. Alaska Native and First Nations communities adapted to hold onto another kind of wealth: their culture, land, and way of life. Watch the following video to see it for yourself: Take a tour of the upper Yarra River at picturesque Warburton. The 3 Mile course ran in the lower reaches, from Twickenham Ferry (now MacRobertson Bridge) to Princes Bridge. 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. Image compiled by J. Blundell, from State Library Victoria. You can leap from the cliff faces into the flowing water, or clamber across the smooth rocks in the shallow sections. Stop for a picnic, walk your dog or play a round of golf. Observe fire restrictions on Total Fire Ban days. Sudden dropoffs into deep water can act as great gold traps, and if you find one in a gold-bearing river, there is a great chance that gold has concentrated nearby. Yarra Watch season is now open. Platypus are rarely seen as far downstream as Fairfield. [15], The Port Phillip settlement, that would become Melbourne, was established along the lower banks of the Yarra in 1835. The river flows into Port Phillip, the site being extensively altered as part of the Port of Melbourne, Australia's busiest seaport. 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. I discovered this during one year of the birdman rally where annually people fly off a bridge into the murky muddy Yarra river waters. 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. The Yarra River soon became polluted with sewer and industrial waste. To protect the city from flooding, a series of works began in 1879 to widen and straighten the river. The Yarra River was an important resource for the Wurundjeri people for around 40,000 years. 2. [19][20] The project was completed in November 2009. The Yarra River Precinct's famed riverside dining and drinking started with Riverland Bar at Federation Wharf nearly 20 years ago. Parks Victoria Information Centre. 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. It has spiritual and cultural significance for Aboriginal communities. The day's most visible group was Mothers Demand Action, members of which crowded the halls in a sea of red as they advocated lawmakers for gun control measures. We pay our respects to Elders past, present and emerging. 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 [14] European explorers would not enter the river for another 30 years until, in 1835, the area that is now central and northern Melbourne was explored by John Batman, a leading member of the Port Phillip Association, who negotiated a transaction for 600,000 acres (2,400km2) of land from eight Wurundjeri elders. Did you know: Originally called Birrarung, meaning a place of mists and shadows, the river only became known as the Yarra in the 1830s after a surveyor misheard local Aboriginal people saying Yarro Yarro: it flows. 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. 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. 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. Indeed, starting in 1905, the annual Henley Regatta on the Yarra became a fixture of . The river flows atop layers of silt that built up within an ancient river valley around 10,000-15,000 years ago. A few tips from the experts: There are thousands of places across the country to go in search of gold. Again, towards the end of the 1850's and into the early 1860's, Anderson's Creeks became largely deserted as a result of the opening . [citation needed]. And, to many locals, where happy memories of personal pilgrimages, peaceful summer evenings, and days exploring were made. 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.. [citation needed], Gold was first discovered in Victoria near the Yarra River in Warrandyte. Westward view from Batmans Hill painting by Robert Russell based on sketch from 1836 or 1837. These tools enable us to improve your website experience and to provide content and ads tailored to your interests. Know your river: Yarra River wildlife guide, Yarra Strategic Plan (Burndap Birrarung burndap umarkoo), Permanent water-saving rules and Target 150, Work or build near our assets or easements, Liveable Communities, Liveable Waterways Program, Edithvale-Seaford Wetland Education Centre, Training and approval to work on a Melbourne Water site, Bird species at the Eastern Treatment Plant, Bird species at the Western Treatment Plant, Western Treatment Plant augmented reality app, Healthy Waterways Strategy report card - Yarra catchment, as the source of 70 per cent of Melbournes drinking water. The gold rush quickly transformed Melbourne into one of the largest Australian cities and opened up Victoria to industrialization. The Yarra has greatly improved since the 1970s and 80s, thanks to an expanding sewerage system servicing Melbournes industry and suburbs. Explore Nature's Heaven - Royal Botanic Gardens. Herring Island, an artificial island on the Yarra River is a haven for nature and art lovers alike. Freshwater catfish have been caught at Westerfolds . 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. Minimum depth at low tide may be less than 2m. Stringer's Creek Tributary of Thompson River. The lower reaches feature a number of boat cruises, using especially low-roof boats to go under the many bridges across this section of the Yarra. However, the increased industrialization came at a cost. 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. A growing number of people are heading to the streams and rivers in search of gold. 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. Sign up for notifications from Insider! [8], The river was called Birrarung by the Wurundjeri people who occupied the Yarra Valley and much of Central Victoria prior to European colonisation. 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. 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. It hosts a wide range of geographic features including; bends, rapids, lakes, islands, floodplains, billabongs, wetlands, etc. Yarra Bend Park is the largest area of natural bushland near the heart of Melbourne. Upstream of Launching Place the river becomes quite narrow and recreational use is limited. When the river water combines with marine salts as it enters Port Phillip, the suspended particles clump together and sink. The middle and lower sections have been mostly cleared for agriculture and urban and industrial development, eroding the clay soils and resulting in the rivers muddy colour. In February 1972, the CBD was flooded as the natural watercourse of Elizabeth Street became a raging torrent. 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. Don River, Launching Place. Sections of the river are occasionally closed for public events such as Moomba, New Year's Eve and Rowing events. Swimming is safer downstream, but not advisable below Dights Falls due to the high levels of pollution and high boating traffic. Manna gums can be found along the rivers upper reaches, and are an important food source for koalas. A small creek (2-3 m wide) with predominantly fast, shallow water, 10-30 cm deep, gravel substrate. Following this, the river was widened to protect Melbourne residents from future flooding. Being a considerably thin river for almost its entire length, there are very few islands or lakes. In August, 1896, Skookum Jim and his family found gold near the Klondike River in Canada's Yukon Territory. 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 first of many crossings of the Yarra River to facilitate transport was built in Princes Bridge. Pack the car and round up your family and friends. Explore water quality across the Yarra. 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. During this era it was also commonplace for the winner of the Australian Open to bathe in the Yarra River as a post victory celebration. Check the fire danger ratings before you visit on hot days. In the zone for flavour, texture and length. More serious miners might consider investing in a suction dredge and sluice box where legal that allows them to process much more material. 6. 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