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Herring Island Environmental Sculpture Park
Herring Island is a small 3.2ha artificial island located on the Birrarung “Yarra River” in South Yarra, Naarm, approximately 4kms from the city centre.
To get to the island, catch the free punt service (weekends and public holidays from January until Easter) or make your own way there in a boat, canoe, kayak, or paddleboard.
The island is best known for its unique sculpture park. The trail that weaves through these sculptures is a must-do for anyone visiting the island.
Herring Island forms an environmental corridor of wildlife and regional vegetation. The island consists of indigenous forest and grassland communities. The dominant vegetation includes River Red Gum around the perimeter, Silver Wattle, Manna Gum, Drooping Sheaoke, Southern Mahogany, Wallaby and Spear Grass, Chocolate and Bulbine Lilies, and native Everlasting Daisies.
The varieties of birds that occupy this vegetation commonly seen include Honeyeaters, Willie Wagtails, Cormorants, Darters, Kookaburras, Magpies, Wattlebirds and Herons. Waterbirds such as the Pacific Black Duck, Maned Ducks and Dusky Moorhens shelter and forage within the reeds. Possums, lizards, and snakes are also found on the island.
Herring Island history
Herring Island is the only substantial island on the Yarra River. Originally a basalt quarry in the 1800s, this artificial island was formed in 1928 by cutting a river channel through the disused Richmond quarry severing the section of land, which is now Herring Island from Richmond, creating a shortcut for the river to lessen the likelihood of flooding. In doing so the natural course of the river, which winds around the southern side of the island was altered. Natural outcrops of basalt can still be seen on the northern corner of the island, revealing a glimpse of the fascinating history of the site. In 1934, the biggest flood ever recorded submerged the island after which the levee banks were rebuilt, and revegetation of the island began.
During the 1950s and 1970s, the Scout Association of Australia leased the island, then known as Como Island. The name of the island was changed by the Scouts in 1952 to Herring Island in honour of the association’s president, Sir Edmund Herring.
In the 1990s the island became managed by the state government and, 1996, Parks Victoria in association with Maudie Palmer developed the concept for an Environmental Sculpture Park. Over the next five years, unique sculptures were added to the island's landscape to enhance the island's natural and recreational attributes and provide a retreat from the urban environment of the city.
Things To Do
Sculpture Trail
Barbecuing and picnicking at Herring Island
Herring Island flora and fauna
Tours and adventure experiences in parks
One of the best ways you can get into nature is with a Licensed Tour Operator.
There are more than 400 Licensed Tour Operators across Victoria who are ready and waiting to help you experience and connect with Victoria’s spectacular parks and waterways.
Discover more than 60 different types of nature-based experiences including hiking, mountain biking, boating, four-wheel driving, indigenous culture tours, birdwatching, surfing, diving and so much more.
Licensed Tour Operators know all the best places to go and will plan and prepare your visit to ensure you are safe and can enjoy your nature-based adventure to the fullest.
How to get there
Herring Island Environmental Sculpture Park
Herring Island Environmental Sculpture Park is accessible by boat, canoe, kayak, and stand-up paddleboard. Licensed Tour Operators also provide transport options to the island.
On weekends and public holidays in the summertime, catch the free punt across from Como Landing from the first weekend of January until the Easter long weekend (Easter Monday included). See the information about the Herring Island Punt below.
When you're there
Download the Herring Island visitor guide for more information and a map of the island.
Site hire
The old Scout Hall was renovated to form the Herring Island Gallery. Open for the Summer Arts Festival, the building and some areas of the island are available to hire for events and exhibitions.
Volunteer
There is an area set aside on Herring Island called the Conservation Area where the Friends of Herring Island have undertaken an intense programme of native revegetation which creates a special sense of place. The friends group meet once a month to help protect, maintain, and restore the islands unique environment through activities including invasive plant management and supporting indigenous flora and fauna through planting. The group encourages new volunteers to get involved, to become a volunteer, register with ParkConnect, create your volunteer profile and explore many diverse and exciting activities.
Need to know
Herring Island Environmental Sculpture Park
Accessibility
Visiting a park can be more of a challenge for people with disabilities, however, in Victoria there are a wide range of facilities to help people of all abilities enjoy our wonderful parks around the state. Parks Victoria provides a range of a equipment, including all-terrain and beach wheelchairs, facilities, accommodation and accessibility information and programs to help you plan and enjoy your visit to Victoria's parks.
Assistance dogs are welcome in Parks Victoria parks and reserves. Entry requirements apply for parks and reserves that are usually dog prohibited, such as national parks.
Herring Island Punt
Visitors can catch a free punt service to Herring Island. The punt service runs:
- Weekends and public holidays from 11am to 5pm (no service from 12:30-1pm)
- Approximately every 15 minutes
- Only between 6 January 2024 until 1 April 2024.
The punt operates between Como Landing and Herring Island North Landing. Please be patient as delays getting to and from the island may occur. Please consider wearing a mask on the punt for the health and safety of staff. In the event of extreme weather conditions, Parks Victoria may cancel the punt operation and stop access to Herring Island.
Access via boat or kayak
Herring Island Environmental Sculpture Park is accessible by boat, canoe, kayak, and stand-up paddleboard. Licensed Tour Operators also provide transport options to the island.
On weekends and public holidays in the summertime, catch the punt across from Como Landing from the first weekend of January until the Easter long weekend (Easter Monday included).
The landing on the northern side of the island is more suited to powered vessels, the following berthing restrictions apply to vessels using the landing:
- Short Term Berth 4-hour time limit
- Vessels can be unmanned
The landing on the southern side of the island is more suited to passive vessels as this section of the river has shallow waters as a result of sediment build-up, vessel operators are advised to navigate this area with caution due to reduced water depth. The following berthing restrictions apply to vessels using the landing:
- Loading zone for pick up and drop off of passengers and cargo only
- Vessels must be manned at all times
Passive vessel storage facilities are available near the southern landing on the island.
No diving, jumping, or swimming is permitted from either landing or in the Yarra River due to safety risks posed by high levels of vessel activity and unpredictable conditions such as water depths, submerged debris, tidal movements, and other unexpected hazards.
The paths on Herring Island are gravel and undulating with inclines so are not easily accessible for people in wheelchairs or with prams. From the southern landing visitors with limited mobility will encounter a sloping path to reach the picnic area however once at this location they will with relative ease be able to visit the gallery and view a modified sculpture trail which excludes the western end of the island due to unsuitable terrain.
Safety in nature
You can benefit both mind and body when you get outdoors to explore and experience Victoria's natural places. Before you go, take a look at our safety tips and check our changed conditions and closures information for a great visit.
Please stick to paths on the island to avoid snakes and rough terrain.
Swimming is not permitted in the Yarra River and is not permissible for accessing Herring Island due to safety risks posed by the area being dedicated as a boating channel with subsequent high levels of vessel activity.
Restrictions
Please note that no dogs, cats or pets are allowed on the island. Bicycles are not permitted. Camping is also not permitted on the island.
How we keep it special
Herring Island Environmental Sculpture Park is the only island on the Birrarung “Yarra River,” located just 4km from the central business district of Melbourne. The island is home to a series of environmental sculptures, created by internationally renowned artists, which are interwoven into the park landscape. As per the Crown Land (Reserves) (Metropolitan and Regional Parks) Regulations 2023, areas of Herring Island are set aside for the activities specified or the prohibition or restriction of access, in accordance with the conditions, as indicated in the Set Asides. Please refer to the Set Aside(s) for Herring Island Environmental Sculpture Park.
Help us look after your park by following these guidelines: Please take rubbish away with you for recycling & disposal. All native plants and animals are protected by law. Please do not disturb them in any way.
Parks Victoria is proud to be a key partner in the implementation of the Yarra Strategic Plan, Burndap Birrarung burndap umarkoo. Delivering the plan is a Victorian Government commitment to protect our treasured Yarra River, Birrarung, and its parklands for future generations.