For example, in recent years paper company Amcor has been fined several times by EPA Victoria for polluting the Yarra and environs. Beginning with the Victorian gold rush (1850s and 60s), it was extensively mined and had numerous bridges built to facilitate the growing transport needs. Oils and grease remain today in several tributaries in the lower reaches such as Merri Creek and Moonee Ponds Creek.[22]. Devastating flooding was also a regular feature of the original narrow, twisting waterway. Melbourne, Victorias state capital, was established on the lower reaches of the river in 1835. 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. Despite being one of the citys most recognisable natural landmarks, even locals know little about the Yarra River. Swanson Dock was constructed between 1966 and 1972 equipped for modern container shipping. The river is home to several species of fish. The upstream also contains a closed-off dam known as the Upper Yarra Reservoir. 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. On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. It has spiritual and cultural significance for Aboriginal communities. 6. 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. . 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. 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. 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 park features steep river escarpments, open woodlands, playing fields and golf courses. 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. The lowest section of the Yarra is an estuary, where salt water from Port Phillip Bay travels about 10 kilometres upstream. Through the mid-20th century, industry was slowly relocated away from the river and since then the major pollutants have come from storm water runoff, sewerage and lasting effects of previous pollution. [citation needed], The first major change came with the cutting of the Coode Canal between 1880 and 1886. Sign up for notifications from Insider! Reptiles that are common in the area include lizards, snakes, turtles, and skinks. There are more than 400 Licensed Tour Operators across Victoria who are ready and waiting to help you experience and connect with Victorias spectacular parks and waterways. 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. [citation needed]. Whether you're seeking relaxation or adventure, parks offer a variety of day trips close to Melbourne. 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. It rises at an elevation of 792 meters above sea level and drops to sea level at Port Philip. He describes the glacial flour. 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. 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. [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. 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. Top editors give you the stories you want delivered right to your inbox each weekday. Freshwater catfish have been caught at Westerfolds . EPA forecasts water quality for 4 sites along the Yarra River in partnership with Melbourne Water. 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. 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. The facility was situated inside Warrandyte State Park, from where the spillover until June 2015 flowed into the river and downstream towards Melbourne. Its waters spread diseases like diphtheria, dysentery, typhoid and scarlet fever, until the Werribee Farm was built to treat sewage in 1897. A history of flooding: The first recorded flood in The Yarra River was in 1839. Some small hobby farms are located in the floodplain area of the river, surprisingly close to central Melbourne and almost completely surrounded by suburbs. Being a considerably thin river for almost its entire length, there are very few islands or lakes. The final section passes through the Port of Melbourne and under the Bolte Bridge and the West Gate Bridge. The dock was later renamed Victoria Dock. In March 2019, it was reported that the river's environmental health is at risk due to litter, pollution, pets and urban development. There are four bridges on the Yarra River with limited height clearances at high tide:[39], "Yarra Yarra" redirects here. The presence of clay particles is not a major factor in the pollution of the river. 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. Grab a cuppa, put your feet up and turn up the sound! Members of the public flooded the State Capitol again on Tuesday. 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. The area has been occupied by various indigenous clans for at least 30,000 years. There is a maximum speed limit of 9 kilometres per hour (4.9kn) for all boats operating on the river. 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. Tourists can also relax and enjoy in the cruises in this area. The great flood of 1891. However, the Aboriginals later denied selling the land to Batman, saying they only permitted him to pass through their land. Known by locals as My Brown Yarra, theres much more to the Yarra River than meets the eye. It hosts a wide range of geographic features including; bends, rapids, lakes, islands, floodplains, billabongs, wetlands, etc. A growing number of people are heading to the streams and rivers in search of gold. Explore Nature's Heaven - Royal Botanic Gardens. 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. Board one of the river cruises from Southbank to explore the lower reaches of the Yarra, follow the Capital City Trail on foot or bike, canoe or kayak all or part of its 240-kilometre expanse, or set up for a scenic sunset barbecue or picnic on the banks of the river. 4. The Yarra River or historically, the Yarra Yarra River,[3] (Kulin languages: Berrern, Birr-arrung, Bay-ray-rung, Birarang,[5] Birrarung,[6] and Wongete[1]) is a perennial river[3] in south-central Victoria, Australia. Beyond Warburton there are very few crossings available. Wedge asked local aborigines what they called the cascading waters on the lower section of the river. The river was drained and diverted in various areas throughout the gold rush to aid gold miners. Our iconic waterways are the lifeblood of Melbournes natural landscape learn how you can help look after them. The river flows atop layers of silt that built up within an ancient river valley around 10,000-15,000 years ago. Early industries grew along the banks of the river, rapidly degrading the water quality. The Yarra River was an important resource for the Wurundjeri people for around 40,000 years. Acknowledgement of the countryWe acknowledge the Traditional Owners of the land where we work and live. Explore water quality across the Yarra. The Yarra River then turns westwards at Healesville and thence to Yarra Glen. Herring Island is a small island at South Yarra which has a punt which takes people on to the park. The Yarra Riverkeeper Association is the largest of many advocacy groups dedicated to protecting the Yarra River and its environs for current and future generations. The Yarra River is part of an Aboriginal cultural landscape that includes traditional Country of the Wurundjeri People. Where: Below Mount Mambup, Perth, Western Australia, Australia. Rowing is a long-standing tradition along the Yarra and the boat sheds are an integral part of the riverscape. Here are six interesting facts you need to know: 1. 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. 5. 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. From the earliest years of settlement, the mid and upper reaches of the Yarra began to be used for recreation. 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. Image from State Library Victoria. Since the first permanent crossing was built over the river in 1844, there are now over 60 places where pedestrians, cars and other vehicles can cross the river. [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. We use reCAPTCHA to protect our website from spam, for more information about the data we collect see our privacy website statement. 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. However, the increased industrialization came at a cost. 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