"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. The banks of the Yarra River are popular for cycling, running and walking where most paths are sealed and in good condition. 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. The Yarra has greatly improved since the 1970s and 80s, thanks to an expanding sewerage system servicing Melbournes industry and suburbs. The river is used extensively for kayaking at Templestowe, and canoes can often be seen throughout the suburban section. From there, continuously weed out the bigger rocks and pebbles. Swimming is also popular in the middle reaches throughout winter, particularly around Warrandyte. Some of the river's more prominent features include; Coode Island and Fishermans Bend, Victoria Harbour, Herring Island, Yarra Bend, Dights Falls, Upper Yarra Dam and Reservoir and many river flats and billabongs. It's still going strong and Sandi pops in to reconnect with this icon of hospitality. Follow our water safety advice to make sure your day out at Yarra River is a safe and enjoyable one. The largest and most notable of these parklands include: the Royal Botanic Gardens, Birrarung Marr, Yarra Bend Park, Westerfolds Park, Warrandyte State Park and the Yarra Ranges National Park.[39]. 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. 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. Members of the public flooded the State Capitol again on Tuesday. It provided many resources and important places for spiritual and community activity, like birthplaces and ceremonial and burial grounds. [citation needed]. 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. [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. In February 1972, the CBD was flooded as the natural watercourse of Elizabeth Street became a raging torrent. 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. 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. Devastating flooding was also a regular feature of the original narrow, twisting waterway. The Aboriginal people belonging to the Kulin nation, particularly Wurundjeri and Boonwurrung, were the first people to settle along the Yarra River. 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. The current course dates back to 1886 when a canal devised by British engineer Sir John Coode was cut from west of Flinders Street to below its junction with the Maribyrnong. 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. More serious miners might consider investing in a suction dredge and sluice box where legal that allows them to process much more material. But the Wurundjeri believed that they had simply taken part in a friendship ceremony, and were granting Batman leave to pass through their country. Swimming is safer downstream, but not advisable below Dights Falls due to the high levels of pollution and high boating traffic. Miners then blasted a 145m long tunnel through solid rock. Stop for a picnic, walk your dog or play a round of golf. 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. The Yarra River was an important resource for the Wurundjeri people for around 40,000 years. 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 plan gives effect to the community's long-term vision for the Yarra and supports collaborative management of the river and its lands. Widening and dams, like the Upper Yarra Reservoir have helped protect Melbourne from major flooding. Grab a cuppa, put your feet up and turn up the sound! Enthroned by gold, Melbourne quickly became Australias largest city. 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. 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. 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. I discovered this during one year of the birdman rally where annually people fly off a bridge into the murky muddy Yarra river waters. 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. Upstream of Launching Place the river becomes quite narrow and recreational use is limited. Observe fire restrictions on Total Fire Ban days. A few tips from the experts: There are thousands of places across the country to go in search of gold. [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 river's upper portion is a swampy area in the Yarra Ranges National Park. Here are six interesting facts you need to know: 1. To the Wurundjeri people the river, known as Birrarung, was the life source and an important meeting place. Don River, Launching Place. [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]. Platypus are rarely seen as far downstream as Fairfield. 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. The disposal of sewerage in Melbourne was very basic in the early days. 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. In the 1850s, the region was on the bustling route to the Warburton goldfields. Parks Victoria Information Centre. Strathfillan Creek Tributary of Carapooee Creek. 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. It hosts a wide range of geographic features including; bends, rapids, lakes, islands, floodplains, billabongs, wetlands, etc. Yarra River also serves as a habitat for frogs such as Perons tree frog, eastern froglet, and southern toadlet. [citation needed], Sections of the river mouth and the area around the former West Melbourne Swamp were widened in the late 19th century, to make way for docks, harbours, bridges and other infrastructure. Gold was first discovered in Victoria near the Yarra River in Warrandyte. [29] The muddy brown colour is caused by the easily eroded clay soils of its catchment area. The river flows atop layers of silt that built up within an ancient river valley around 10,000-15,000 years ago. 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. 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 Minimum depth at low tide may be less than 2m. Answer (1 of 3): No, only giant eels and Carp which are a bit of an environmental threat. [16] The objective was to stop people bathing in the Yarra River, which by the 1850s had become quite polluted and the cause of an epidemic of typhoid fever, which hit the city resulting in many deaths. 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. [citation needed] The document, commonly called Batman's Treaty, was declared void by the Governor of New South Wales, Richard Bourke. So where is this picturesque spot? The Yarra River then turns westwards at Healesville and thence to Yarra Glen. The final section passes through the Port of Melbourne and under the Bolte Bridge and the West Gate Bridge. [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. This gem is king of our rivers in Northern California. Prior to settlements, the area now occupied by Elizabeth street was a gully off the river. 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. Yarra Ranges Shire Council Flood information for the Yarra Ranges Shire Council, encompassing local flood guides and a Municipal Flood Emergency Plan. In 1891, the great flood caused the Yarra to swell to 305 metres (1,001ft) in width. 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. The lowest section is an estuary where ocean water and salt travel upstream for about 10 kilometers. But this growth came at a cost. It has abundant brown trout to 275 g, river blackfish to 200 g, roach and short-finned eels. . Always check for signs of pollution before you swim. The river hosts many geographical features such as; bends, rapids, lakes, islands, floodplains, billabongs and wetlands. 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. Most of these miners were working alluvial gold in the creeks, and the Yarra river, and though quartz with gold in it was being found, there was no efficient method of crushing the rock to obtain the gold. Yarra Valley. Native grasses provide food for parrots, wombats, wallabies and kangaroos. flickr/daniel montemayor. The current bridge was constructed in 1888. [17] However, people continued to swim and drink the water until Melbourne's fresh water was sourced from elsewhere. In 1957, the Upper Yarra Reservoir was constructed, primarily to alleviate flooding downstream. 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. EPA also issues alerts when there is an issue affecting a waterbody in Victoria. Explore Nature's Heaven - Royal Botanic Gardens. Surround yourself with the majestic views of Melbourne's cityscape views on the renowned Yarra River. Delivering the plan is a Victorian Government commitment to protect our treasured Yarra River, Birrarung, and its parklands for future generations. 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. 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. Their discovery sparked one of the most frantic gold rushes in history. 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. The Yarra River has about 50 named tributaries; 6 rivers, 42 creeks and 2 gullies. Small historical bridges can be found further downstream including the Banksia Street, Fitzsimons Lane and Warrandyte Bridges. Top editors give you the stories you want delivered right to your inbox each weekday. 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. Boating is difficult beyond Hawthorn and impossible past Dights Falls. 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. 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 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. 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 clay soil in the region breaks up into tiny particles and dissipates throughout the whole of the river. 4. 14:30 - He walks us through his euro nymphing program. Today, the Yarra River is an integral part of our lives and each year attracts millions of visitors who walk, ride, row, fish or camp along its banks. 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. . Image compiled by J. Blundell, from State Library Victoria. River red gums form a tree canopy with a dense understorey of silver wattles, river bottlebrush, prickly currant bush and tree violet. When the river water combines with marine salts as it enters Port Phillip, the suspended particles clump together and sink. In the zone for flavour, texture and length. Thanks to an abundance of native plants and water supply, the wildlife in and around the Yarra River is highly diverse. It has spiritual and cultural significance for Aboriginal communities. The river now compares favourably with many metropolitan rivers overseas. The facility was situated inside Warrandyte State Park, from where the spillover until June 2015 flowed into the river and downstream towards Melbourne. By clicking Sign up, you agree to receive marketing emails from Insider The riverflows for about 242 kilometers from the Yarra Ranges of the Great Dividing Range to Port Philip at Hobsons Bay. It rises at an elevation of 792 meters above sea level and drops to sea level at Port Philip. The majority of waste from homes and industries flowed into street channels and on to local rivers and creeks which became open sewers. Near the Yarra river also serves as a habitat for frogs such as Perons tree frog eastern. 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