“Beside the River”, that’s what Birrarung Marr means. It’s a name that whispers of the Woiwurrung language and the Wurundjeri people who first called this part of Melbourne home. Birrarung Marr, this urban oasis, wasn’t always a park. Imagine a time when railway lines crisscrossed this very spot, a jumble of tracks connecting a bustling city to its outskirts. Before the trains, it was a marshy area, earmarked for a park as early as 1856. But the city had other plans, and it became home to a hodgepodge of institutions, even a morgue. It wasn’t until the late 20th century that the vision of a park re-emerged. The catalyst? The creation of Federation Square. With the railways reorganized and Batman Avenue diverted, a space opened up. A space for Melbourne to breathe again. And so, in 2002, Birrarung Marr was born. Walk with me, and you’ll see it’s a park of levels. Terraces sculpted from the earth, echoing the billabongs that once graced this land. Stroll along the lower terrace, where gravel crunches underfoot, a reminder of the park’s industrial past. Here, the city skyline unfolds before you. On the middle terrace, lush green grass beckons. This is a space for events, from the vibrant spectacle of Circus Oz to the joyous chaos of Moomba Waterfest. And finally, ascend to the upper terrace, level with Flinders Street. From here, the city’s iconic landmarks – the Arts Centre spire, the majestic St Paul’s Cathedral – pierce the skyline. Birrarung Marr. A place where history and nature intertwine, a testament to Melbourne’s ever-evolving spirit.
Kororoit Creek
Is this where the river meets the sea? This is Kororoit Creek. It flows right here through Melbourne’s western suburbs