Yarra River
Yarra River
4.5
About
The Yarra River’s journey begins on the southern slopes of the Great Dividing Range and twists through the forested valleys of the Yarra Ranges and its quaint regional towns before concluding its journey on the muddy flats of Port Phillip Bay. Elemental to Melbourne’s identity, the Yarra River is one of Victoria’s iconic waterways. It has spiritual and cultural significance for Aboriginal communities. To the Wurundjeri people the river, known as Birrarung, was the life source and an important meeting place. And, to many locals, where happy memories of personal pilgrimages, peaceful summer evenings, and days exploring were made. 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.
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Neighbourhood: Southbank
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We rank these restaurants and attractions by balancing reviews from our members with how close they are to this location.
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7 within 5 kms
Attractions
37 within 10 kms
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- Jeffry bEssendon, Australia13,536 contributionsScenic river has many twists and turnsThe Yarra River is a feature of Victoria that appeals to travelers. The Yarra rises in the Yarra Ranges and flows 242 km (150 miles) through central Victoria, including the scenic Yarra Valley, well known for its vineyards. In 1835, the first settlers landed at a place on the Yarra River near the City of Melbourne. The Yarra empties into Hobson's Bay, near the Port of Melbourne. The Yarra has many twists and turns, it's certainly interesting.Visited October 2023Travelled with familyWritten 6 October 2023
- Mairwen1United Kingdom11,165 contributionsWalking Paths, Artwork, Cycling, Cruises & Dining…The Yarra is one of the most distinctive features of Melbourne, running through the CBD. For tourists, it offers a range of activities, including river cruises, waterside dining, long walks along the Southbank promenade, cycling paths and bike/scooter hire. We walked alongside the river each day to get to the Australian Open tennis competition. Whilst we didn’t get to explore a lot of the river, it was very pleasant walking beside it and even on a short stretch we saw interesting sculptures and indigenous artwork. The most striking of these was ‘Angel’, a giant, brightly coloured, Picasso-esque sculpture by Deborah Halpern in 1988. Don’t expect a sweet or cherubic angel. This is a strange, three-legged creature. With two heads and long extended necks, it looked more like a mutated dinosaur. On the centre of its body, is a bright yellow, demonic-looking angel. Standing at 10m tall and made of steel and concrete with 4000 hand painted mosaic tiles, it’s an imposing but fun figure.Visited January 2024Travelled with friendsWritten 23 January 2024
- smiler1956Birmingham, United Kingdom591 contributionsRiver cruiseTook a river cruise with my wife, and enjoyed a tranquil guided tour along the Yarra River. Some great history and highlights of buildings and bridges along the river. Really enjoyable and amazing sights. If you don't want to cruise their are promenades each side for walking or cycling.Visited November 2023Travelled as a coupleWritten 14 March 2024
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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4.5
1,703 reviews
Excellent
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740
Average
159
Poor
17
Terrible
8
Ellemay 🍹🐠🐳
Sydney, Australia47,321 contributions
Mar 2020 • Friends
We enjoyed a great cruise down the Yarra River on the Duchess to Williamstown. The cruise took 2 hours return with the opportunity to get off and do some sightseeing at Williamstown.
The Yarra River is very exciting to experience especially seeing the newly developed urban dwellings sitting proudly on the rivers edge. I’ve visited Melbourne numerous times over many years and it’s delightful to see how the river has become the major focus for restaurants, cafe and nightlife.
The Yarra River is very exciting to experience especially seeing the newly developed urban dwellings sitting proudly on the rivers edge. I’ve visited Melbourne numerous times over many years and it’s delightful to see how the river has become the major focus for restaurants, cafe and nightlife.
Written 11 March 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thanks for sharing your experience at the Yarra River. A boat cruise is a fantastic way to take in all the sights. We hope to continue welcoming you back many more times!
Thanks again,
Parks Victoria.
Written 18 March 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
CathyGri
Newark-on-Trent, UK281 contributions
Feb 2020
We enjoyed a walk along the Yarra river taking in the lovely scenery. There were lots of university/school racing rowing boats practising on the river the day that we did our walk. From the riverside walk, we headed into the Botanical Gardens.
Written 18 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jeffry b
Essendon, Australia13,536 contributions
June 2020
The Yarra River has changed substantially in the 40 years I have lived in Melbourne. When I first arrived, the Yarra was described s "the river that flows upside down." Now, while it's not perect, it's a lot cleaner. If you see the Yarra up-river at Heidi, it's a joy to behold Downriver, towards the City, the whole Southbank revamp has brought the City closer to the river. More pedestrian bridges, wuch as he Evan Walker Bridge, have made access the river more convenient. Evan Walker was the architect of Southbank. In recent years, Melbourne has made the most of a neglected asset.
Written 4 June 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thanks so much for taking the time to review Yarra River. We're loved to head that you find the river a joy to behold in parts! We're glad that you think the river has improved over the time you've lived in Melbourne.
Thanks again,
Parks Victoria
Written 5 June 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Jeffry b
Essendon, Australia13,536 contributions
Dec 2020
Melbourne without the Yarra would be like London without the Thames. The Yarra River, for many years, was hardly majestic. The Yarra was described as "the river that flows upside down." Thanks to Melbourne Water, the river is much cleaner. And thanks to Evan Walker, the architect and parliamentarian, Southbank is now a centre for entertainment and the arts. The City of Melbourne was founded on the Yarra River in 1835. The river flows lazily for 242 km (150 miles) from Mt Baw Baw to Hobsons Bay, where it empties into Port Phillip. If you want to see the Yarra River as it once was, take a trip to Heidi Museum of Modern Art.
Written 26 December 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jeffry b
Essendon, Australia13,536 contributions
Jan 2022
When I first came to Melbourne many years ago, the Yarra was known as "the River that Flows Upside Down,: It was very murky and full of industrial effluent. These days, the Yarra is a lot cleaner. You still wouldn't want to jump in, but it is now an asset to the city and taking a cruise on the river is a real pleasure. Southbank is now a busy entertainment district. In all, you can say the Yarra is a lot more inviting than it once was.
Written 25 January 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Mimmo L
Melbourne, Australia66 contributions
Feb 2019
I love Southbank and I've been living in this suburb since 2015. It's near the city but it's not in the city. Which makes it quiter and more enjoyable. I love walking by the water and watching all the performer in the afternoons and weekends. Very peaceful and everything is close.
Written 9 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jan B
Winter Park, CO167 contributions
Oct 2019
The Yarra River runs through the City and out to Port Phillip Bay. Enjoy walking, or Cruising this river on any of the River boat services or Dinner Cruises. A Great way to take in all the City sights from the River water way.
Written 13 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dimitris L
Sydney, Australia50,924 contributions
Apr 2021
The Yarra is the heart of Melbourne, in a way. It runs through the city and it is one of its major attractions. There are so many other attractins on either side of the river that add to the overall beauty that is Melbourne. There are theatres, art galleries, cafes, restaurants, boat hiring and cruises, and so much more. We walked along the promenade and along the banks of the river and criss crossed it several times, walking over its many bridges. There are gardens too! That is Melbourne and we wouldn't miss it for the world!
Written 26 April 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Mairwen1
United Kingdom11,165 contributions
Jan 2024 • Friends
The Yarra is one of the most distinctive features of Melbourne, running through the CBD. For tourists, it offers a range of activities, including river cruises, waterside dining, long walks along the Southbank promenade, cycling paths and bike/scooter hire.
We walked alongside the river each day to get to the Australian Open tennis competition. Whilst we didn’t get to explore a lot of the river, it was very pleasant walking beside it and even on a short stretch we saw interesting sculptures and indigenous artwork.
The most striking of these was ‘Angel’, a giant, brightly coloured, Picasso-esque sculpture by Deborah Halpern in 1988.
Don’t expect a sweet or cherubic angel. This is a strange, three-legged creature. With two heads and long extended necks, it looked more like a mutated dinosaur. On the centre of its body, is a bright yellow, demonic-looking angel.
Standing at 10m tall and made of steel and concrete with 4000 hand painted mosaic tiles, it’s an imposing but fun figure.
We walked alongside the river each day to get to the Australian Open tennis competition. Whilst we didn’t get to explore a lot of the river, it was very pleasant walking beside it and even on a short stretch we saw interesting sculptures and indigenous artwork.
The most striking of these was ‘Angel’, a giant, brightly coloured, Picasso-esque sculpture by Deborah Halpern in 1988.
Don’t expect a sweet or cherubic angel. This is a strange, three-legged creature. With two heads and long extended necks, it looked more like a mutated dinosaur. On the centre of its body, is a bright yellow, demonic-looking angel.
Standing at 10m tall and made of steel and concrete with 4000 hand painted mosaic tiles, it’s an imposing but fun figure.
Written 24 January 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
466surenderm
New Delhi, India141 contributions
May 2023 • Family
Yaara River has a pictorial view. There are very high rise buildings on the side of the river and eating outlets. Walking tracks are good. The Prince Bridge on the River was constructed in 1888. It is a very good place to enjoy the river and cruises.
Written 7 May 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
How many rooms do you have in total
Written 5 January 2015
I reviewed the Yarra River in Melbourne as a scenic attraction with many activities available. I stayed at a large hotel, The Langham, which offers a river view. Can you be more specific about the information you are seeking and which hotel you are referring to?
Written 5 January 2015
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