Birrarung Marr
Birrarung Marr, on the north bank of the Yarra River next to Federation Square, is Melbourne's newest major park.
The park's name comes from the language of the Wurundjeri people who originally inhabited this area, 'Birrarung' means 'river of mists' while ‘Marr’ refers to the side of the river.
Opened in 2002, Birrarung Marr provides a link between the Central Business District and Melbourne's main sporting precinct and contributes to a continuous green belt of parkland around the city. Plantings of more than 200 young trees and hundreds of smaller native plants identify this contemporary park design as distinctly Australian.
Walking over the William Barak pedestrian bridge leads directly to the famous MCG - Melbourne Cricket Ground. Designed to host some of Melbourne's major events and festivals and with a theatre-like space at the river's edge, Birrarung Marr has become a space in which people can relax or take part in a variety of activities against a backdrop of native flora, the city skyline and the river.
Full screen picture of Birrarung Marr
See also
- Birrarung Marr guide in That's Melbourne: our website for everything to see and do in the city.
Map of park - Click here
Toilet - Yes
Playground - Yes
Sports field - No
Barbecue - Yes
Melway ref - 1B S11
Size - 6.918ha
Dog off-leash area - No
Running/bike track - Yes
Walking towards the MCG from Princes Bridge, you can see:
- the three level terraces, separated by steep slopes with contrasting areas of grass and granitic sand underfoot;
- the Lower Terrace, or River Terrace, following the curve of the Yarra, in the centre section of an easy, level walk with a variety of interesting features to enjoy on the way. Some sections of the avenue of elm trees that bordered the original roadway can still be seen;
- the Middle Terrace, a functional event space and often the site of temporary facilities linked to major events in the Melbourne Cricket Ground or Melbourne Park;
- the Upper Terrace, where the Arts Centre spire and St Paul’s Cathedral stand out in views of the city skyline;
- the ArtPlay Playground which is open all day, every day. Designed to stimulate the creative development of children, the playground features tube slides, sand pits, swinging hammocks, activity panels, rock and rope climbing features and balance beams. Provision has been made for children of all abilities with a wheelchair-accessible Liberty Swing (a ‘universal key’ to operate this swing can be borrowed from ArtPlay or from the Melbourne Mobility Centre on the first floor of the Federation Square car park, open 9am to 6pm Monday to Thursday and 9am to10pm Friday to Sunday and public holidays);
- ArtPlay, a children’s art centre and gallery, situated in an old red brick railway building. Children’s imaginations come out to play as they collaborate with professional artists, crafts people, musicians and performers in constantly changing, innovative programs (for enquiries or bookings, please phone 9664 7900);
- the Birrarung Wilam (meaning ‘River Camp’) installation that celebrates the diversity of Victoria’s indigenous culture by interpreting stories from local communities through public artworks, marked by a tall, intricately carved message stick standing at either end. A textured, twisting pathway acknowledges the significance of the eel as a traditional food source for groups camped by the river. Large rocks incised with animal drawings enclose a performance space and, closer to the river, a semi-circle of metal shields represents each of the five groups that comprised the Kulin Nation. On the outside wall of the ArtPlay building are interpretive panels that feature audio recordings of indigenous people telling their personal stories in their own words;
- a sign, 'Why is the Yarra Muddy?', explains the mystery of “the river that flows upside down”. It is the first in a series of signs along the banks that highlight the significance of the river as a gathering place for the Wurundjeri people prior to European settlement and as the port and primary source of water to colonial Melbourne;
- the sea wall viewing area provides sweeping views of the southern river bank with Princes Bridge to the west and the Swan Street Bridge in the east. A series of rowing sheds borders the Alexandra Gardens, with the Queen Victoria gardens, the Kings Domain and the Royal Botanic Gardens beyond;
- the two-headed, five-legged Angel, created by Deborah Halpern when she set out to make a sculpture that was “wild, whimsical and colourful”. After standing in front of the National Gallery of Victoria for 18 years, and some restoration of her covering of 4000 tiles, Angel was relocated to her present commanding position where she looks out across the river;
- the Federation Bells, commissioned to celebrate Australia’s Centenary of Federation in 2001 with 39 computer-controlled bells ranging in size from a small handbell to a bell that stands 1.8m high and weighs 3.5 tonnes. The bells ring three times each day, delivering different compositions of approximately four minutes each;
- Speakers’ Corner, a focal point for mass rallies and protests in the past, which played a significant role in Victoria’s social and political history. In 1916, demonstrations against conscription drew crowds of up to 50 000 people to the speakers’ mounds which can still be seen amongst the mature, heritage-listed elm trees in this area;
- the William Barak Bridge named after the Wurundjeri diplomat, negotiator and artist who was a powerful leader and advocate for his people. As a child, William Barak witnessed the signing of a treaty between the indigenous leaders and Melbourne’s founder John Batman. Up to 9 metres wide and 525 metres long, the bridge gives lift access to the ground level precinct and the Number 70 tram - and the opportunity to enjoy commanding views of the City;
- Yarra Park, at the end of the William Barak Bridge, surrounds the MCG and provides convenient access to the Rod Laver and Vodafone arenas and the National Tennis Centre.
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Hundreds of new trees and native plants enhance the park, particularly on the sides of the middle terrace. This includes a variety of hardy Australian natives, including an embankment of evergreen cycads, which means the park will continue to take shape in the years to come as they mature.
Mature trees that formed part of the site before the park’s construction have been retained and 36 elms in Speakers’ Corner are listed on the Heritage Register.
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Work began in September 2000 on Melbourne's new park and it was opened on Australia Day, 26 January 2002. The development is a world leading example of international urban park expertise and design and was an initiative of the City of Melbourne and the State of Victoria. In October 2004, the design of Birrarung Marr won the Walter Burley Griffin award for Urban Design (the creation of Birrarung Marr was only possible following the closure of the Jolimont rail yards, 56 rail lines across the area now covered by parkland were reduced to the 13 that remain along the park’s northern edge).
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Location
Birrarung Marr is located adjacent to Federation Square in Melbourne, easily accessed from Swanston Street (near Flinders Street).
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