Several Aboriginal Australians have lived along the river for thousands of years, using it as their meeting place and food and water source. 3. Their discovery sparked one of the most frantic gold rushes in history. 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. [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. In 1910, the main channel was widened and deepened (81 to 131m or 266 to 430ft). The Wurundjeri people have always had a deep connection to the river. But this growth came at a cost. [citation needed], Gold was first discovered in Victoria near the Yarra River in Warrandyte. However, it took another 32 years for European explorers to visit the river. Most features have been named after translated Wurundjeri phrases or have European, particularly British, origins. The dam is located in Reefton, the first town the river flows through from its source. The river that runs upside-down: The Yarra River is often referred to as the upside-down river because of its brown colour. 2. Rushes and sedges often line the banks. A history of flooding: The first recorded flood in The Yarra River was in 1839. "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. Top editors give you the stories you want delivered right to your inbox each weekday. 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 first permanent crossing over the river was Princes Bridge, which first opened as a wooden trestle bridge in 1844. Its up to all of us to play our part to protect this special natural resource for generations to come.. Most features have been named after translated Woiwurrung phrases or have European, particularly British, origins. And once you've finished swimming, it is only a short walk to cafes and eateries. Widening and dams, like the Upper Yarra Reservoir have helped protect Melbourne from major flooding. Riparian scrub occurs along much of the river. So where is this picturesque spot? He selected a site on the northern bank of the Yarra River, declaring that "this will be the place for a village". It is the most westerly snow fed river in Australia. Learn about grants available to support innovation, liveability and collaboration across water management, and improve river health. 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). 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. 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. 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. These tools enable us to improve your website experience and to provide content and ads tailored to your interests. Explore water quality across the Yarra. 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 . In August, 1896, Skookum Jim and his family found gold near the Klondike River in Canada's Yukon Territory. Following this, the river was widened to protect Melbourne residents from future flooding. Every few years, the Gold Prospectors put out a book of all the land claims that members can prospect for gold. The strong brown, muddy colour of the river is caused by clay soils. [citation needed], The first major change came with the cutting of the Coode Canal between 1880 and 1886. It has abundant brown trout to 275 g, river blackfish to 200 g, roach and short-finned eels. Parks Victoria is proud to be a key partner in the implementation of the Yarra Strategic Plan, Burndap Birrarung burndap umarkoo. 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 River crosses an enormous range of habitats from pristine forested catchments, to a range of agricultural lands and onto dense urban areas: The stretch of the Yarra River between Warburton and Warrandyte has been identified as a Victorian Heritage River. Since its creation it has been the home of hundreds of ancient American Indian tribes. 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. 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. At certain times of the year, particularly during the Moomba Festival, this stretch of the river is occupied by water skiing courses and jumps. Always check for signs of pollution before you swim. Native grasses provide food for parrots, wombats, wallabies and kangaroos. 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 Yarra River also served as an important irrigation water source for the early European settlers. Visiting a park can be more of a challenge for people with disabilities, however in Victoria there are a wide range of facilities to help people of all abilities enjoy our wonderful parks around the state. 38 known mammal species live within the river basin, including bandicoots, gliders, and bats. [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. Our iconic waterways are the lifeblood of Melbournes natural landscape learn how you can help look after them. Here are six interesting facts you need to know: 1. It is the cleanest stretch of the Yarra River to swim in, and it is about a 40-minute drive from the city. 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 river is used extensively for kayaking at Templestowe, and canoes can often be seen throughout the suburban section. Access your favorite topics in a personalized feed while you're on the go. 4. With the pan still underwater, slosh the muddy mix back and forth. The river can be used by any member of the public provided they abide by the rules of Parks Victoria who administer the river upstream of Bolte Bridge and the Port of Melbourne Corporation who administer the area downstream of Bolte Bridge. as well as other partner offers and accept our. Habitat loss has slowed in recent years thanks to revegetation, erosion control and removal of fish migration barriers. Snowy River. [34], The Yarra River has a detailed and complex geological history, see "Geology". La Camera, Southgate The river's resources were utilised sustainably by the Wurundjeri until the arrival of European colonists in the early-mid-19th century. The first flood was recorded in 1839, and the largest in 1891 which saw water levels rise 14 metres above normal, destroying 200 houses. Herring Island, an artificial island on the Yarra River is a haven for nature and art lovers alike. EXPLORE THE YARRA RIVER: LA CAMERA. Explore Nature's Heaven - Royal Botanic Gardens. Whether you'd rather your cruise to be chartered by an expert Skipper on our luxury . There's also a lot of rubbish in the Yarra near the city. 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. The dock was later renamed Victoria Dock. 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. Freshwater catfish have been caught at Westerfolds . 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. From there, continuously weed out the bigger rocks and pebbles. [29] The muddy brown colour is caused by the easily eroded clay soils of its catchment area. [citation needed]. By clicking Sign up, you agree to receive marketing emails from Insider Devastating flooding was also a regular feature of the original narrow, twisting waterway. Beginning with the Victorian gold rush (1850s and 60s), it was extensively mined and had numerous bridges built to facilitate the growing transport needs. 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. Some small hobby farms are located in the floodplain area of the river, surprisingly close to central Melbourne and almost completely surrounded by suburbs. The area in front of old Customs House is a former turning basin for ships. 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