Yarra River
The Yarra River is also known as the Yarra Yarra River, Aboriginal: Berrern, Birr-arrung, Bay-ray-rung, Birarang.[1] Birrarung,[2] and Wongete). The Yarra River is a perennial river in east-central Victoria, Australia. The river flows from its source in the Yarra Ranges 242 kilometres (150 mi) west through the Yarra Valley. The river opens out into plains as it winds its way through Greater Melbourne. It then empties into Hobsons Bay in northernmost Port Phillip.
| Yarra River | |
|---|---|
| Mouth | Hobsons Bay, Port Phillip |
| Length | 242 km (150 mi) |
| Mouth elevation | 0 m (0 ft) |
| River system | Port Phillip and Western Port catchment |
The river was a major food source for indigenous Australians during prehistoric times. It also served as a meeting place during those times. The river was first called Birrarung by the Wurundjeri. The current name was translated wrong from another Wurundjeri term in the Boonwurrung language; Yarro-yarro, meaning "ever-flowing".
The river was used for agriculture by early European settlers. The landscape of the river has changed since 1835. The course of the river has been changed and widened in places. Widening and dams, like the Upper Yarra Reservoir have helped protect Melbourne from major flooding. Industrialisation led to the destruction of the marshlands at the joining of the Yarra and Maribyrnong Rivers in the area around Coode Island in West Melbourne. The yearly Moomba festival celebrates the Yarra River's meaning to Melbourne.
Yarra River Media
Yarra River night panorama
The confluence of the Yarra and Maribyrnong rivers before 1880
Photograph of wool washing sheds in and on banks of Yarra River in late 19th century
Melbourne Landing, 1840; watercolour by W. Liardet (1840)
Dights Mill Abbostford (built 1839) pictured in 1863
Pound Bend diversion tunnel
Map of the Pound Bend diversion tunnel in Warrandyte
The Yarra and Victoria Docks in 1928
The creation of Coode Island after the 1880–1892 construction works
References
- ↑ BYGONE DAYS.. Melbourne, Vic.: National Library of Australia. 15 July 1939. p. 13. http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article11265205. Retrieved 5 November 2014.
- ↑ Eidelson, Meyer (1997). The Melbourne Dreaming. A Guide to the Aboriginal Places of Melbourne (Reprint 2000 ed.). Canberra: Aboriginal Studies Press. pp. 14–17. ISBN 0-85575-306-4.