The river was a major food source and meeting place for indigenous Australians from prehistoric times. Shortly after the arrival of European settlers land clearing forced the remaining Wurundjeri to neighbouring territories and away from the river. Originally called Birrarung by the Wurundjeri, the current name was mistranslated from another Wurundjeri term; Yarra Yarra.
The river was utilised primarily for agriculture by early European settlers. The landscape of the river has changed dramatically since 1835. The course has been progressively disrupted and the river widened in places. The first of many Crossings of the Yarra River to facilitate transport was built in Princes Bridge. Beginning with the Victorian gold rush it was extensively mined, creating the Pound Bend Tunnel in Warrandyte, and the Big and Little Peninsula Tunnels above Warburton . Widening and dams, like the Upper Yarra Reservoir have helped protect Melbourne from major flooding, The catchment's upper reaches are also affected by logging. 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.
Today, the mouth and including Swanston and Appleton Docks are used for container shipping by the Port of Melbourne, the busiest on the continent. The city reach which is inaccessible to larger watercraft, has seen increased use for both transport and recreational boating (including kayaking, canoeing, rowing and swimming). In recent years however recreational use of the river is threatened by high levels of pollution in its lower stretches. The upper reaches remain relatively healthy.
The annual Moomba festival celebrates the Yarra River's increasing cultural significance to Melbourne.
Yarra River
The Yarra River
Although Melbourne is situated on the shores of one of the largest bays on the Australian coast, the city's main water feature is the Yarra River. That's because the city grew from the banks of the Yarra and even today the focus for the city is still very much on a one-kilometre section of the river.
Within that one kilometre are some of the great sights and attractions of Melbourne:
Southgate Arts and Leisure Complex
Royal Botanic Gardens
Melbourne Cricket Ground
Crown Entertainment Complex
Arts Centre
Melbourne Exhibition and Convention Centre
Melbourne Aquarium
Federation Square
Melbourne Park sports venue
Olympic Park Sports Venue
Birrarung Marr
St Johns Southgate
The nicest feature of the Yarra River is its picturesque walks. Once you get away from the concrete of Southgate and walk east down through King's Domain, you can walk for kilometres along the banks of the river without any sense of being in a great city. That's because the city planners have allowed for parklands either side of the roads that skirt around the river, including the Royal Botanic Gardens.
A great web resource for information on the Yarra River is Victoria Parks
