Eroding River Banks

The trees grow right up to the river's edge where its relentless, though slow flow erodes away the clay soil causing the gum trees to collapse into it. The much maligned muddy colour of the Yarra is caused by the easily eroded clay soils of the water catchment. The water was clear at the time of European settlement, but intensive land clearing and development since the mid 1800s has resulted in the presence of microscopic clay particles. The river is pollution-free and after the clay particles are filtered out, provides drinking water to about 2.6 million households in Melbourne.

Yarra Meadows

The husbandry of the parkland preserves the natural vegetation. In the spring, these wild flowers decorate the grass fields.

Along the banks of the Yarra

The three photos in this gallery show the park-like surrounds of the Yarra River. In many ways this waterway has been carefully guarded by generations to maintain its pristine condition. These photos are taken well within the city suburbs where parkland has been established on both banks of the river for almost its entire length through Melbourne.