| The Yarra River is truly the heart of | | | | place to dine while enjoying superb |
| leisure and tourism in Melbourne. It | | | | river views. The nearby Southgate |
| gives the city its freshness and focus | | | | Shopping Complex offers three floors of |
| and is the site of non-stop activity. | | | | fascinating specialty stores. |
| All manner of boats ply its waters and a | | | | Sunday is the best time to visit the |
| host of cultural and entertainment | | | | Southbank as it's the site of the Arts |
| facilities grace its banks including | | | | Centre Sunday Market, just the place to |
| museums, galleries, aquarium, concert | | | | pick up some local crafts and Australian |
| halls and theatres. | | | | souvenirs. Also nearby is the Crown |
| In fact, the discovery of the Yarra was | | | | Casino and entertainment complex which |
| pivotal to the founding and development | | | | features food courts, cafes, shops, and |
| of Melbourne. The fresh water it | | | | nightclubs. |
| provided was vital to the new city. The | | | | Exploring the riverbanks is a wonderful |
| river was called Birrarung by the | | | | experience but to truly experience the |
| indigenous Wurundjeri people and was | | | | Yarra, you have to take to the waters. |
| given the name Yarra Yarra by John | | | | You have many options here, including a |
| Helder Wedge of the Port Phillip | | | | leisurely scenic cruise, penguin trip, |
| Association who thought it was the | | | | ferry ride to Williamstown, romantic |
| Aboriginal name. | | | | gondola or water taxi ride. |
| The Yarra River begins in the highlands | | | | You can choose from a range of |
| of Mount Baw Baw in Victoria's West | | | | sightseeing cruises, either upstream to |
| Gippsland region and flows down into | | | | the scenic parks and gardens of the |
| Port Phillip Bay, home to the Port of | | | | Yarra River, or downstream to the |
| Melbourne, Australia's busiest seaport. | | | | Melbourne Docklands. |
| So how to best enjoy the Yarra on your | | | | Take a downstream cruise and you can |
| holiday? Here we'll look at the north | | | | follow the trail of the early pioneers |
| bank, the booming new developments on | | | | down to Melbourne's port and Docklands |
| the south bank, and then at some cruises | | | | area. Melbourne is the Southern |
| that will take you along this delightful | | | | Hemisphere's busiest general cargo port. |
| river. | | | | You can also take a ferry service to |
| The north bank of the Yarra marks the | | | | Williamstown, a historic maritime |
| southern edge of the CBD. A walk along | | | | village with scenic bay views and a |
| Birrarung Marr, the stretch of water | | | | vibrant restaurant and café area. |
| that runs from Federation Square to the | | | | An upriver cruise takes you to historic |
| Melbourne Cricket Ground is an | | | | Herring Island and passes some of |
| especially fine location to enjoy views | | | | Melbourne's most famous landmarks |
| of the Melbourne skyline. | | | | including the Royal Botanic Gardens, |
| Though the north bank has much to see | | | | Melbourne Cricket Ground, Melbourne |
| and do, it's the south bank of the Yarra | | | | Sports & Entertainment Centre, and |
| that the more happening place. Crossing | | | | Olympic Park. This is a very green and |
| over Queensbridge Street brings you to | | | | peaceful route that unlocks the true |
| Southbank Promenade. This is a fine | | | | charm of Melbourne. |