Explore
Yarra River - Princes Bridge to Swan St Bridge (Yarra River, Princes Warf)
The Princess Bridge to Swan St Bridge section of the Yarra River embraces the open spaces of Birrarung Marr, the historic boatsheds along Boathouse Drive and beautiful Alexandra Gardens. Cycle or walk along the Capital City Trail to experience the Yarra from land or launch a canoe or kayak and paddle along the river.
How to get there
Yarra River - Princes Bridge to Swan St Bridge (Yarra River, Princes Warf)
Facilities
Boat Ramp
Need to know
Yarra River - Princes Bridge to Swan St Bridge (Yarra River, Princes Warf)
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.
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.
Warnings & Restrictions
Dogs
Dogs are allowed but must be on a leash
Restrictions
- No swimming
- Boating zones apply
Warnings
-
Terrain hazards
- Slippery surface
- Uneven ground
-
Water hazards
- Flash flooding
- Deep water
- Strong currents
Be Prepared
Stay safe and get the most out of your park visit by preparing for natural hazards and other outdoor risks in Victoria’s parks. You are responsible for your own safety and the safety of those in your care. Find out more.
Change of Conditions
Nature being nature, sometimes conditions can change at short notice. It’s a good idea to check this page ahead of your visit for any updates.
Notice to river users - river closures, works, and events
Notice Issued 12th January 2022
As Waterway Manager under the Marine Safety Act 2010 Parks Victoria wishes to advise the following waterway closures and activities on the Yarra River, Maribyrnong River and Victoria Harbour.
January 2022 Events
12 January
13:30 – 14:30
15:30 – 16:30
City of Melbourne Drone Show testing
Victoria Habour - Situated as a square in the middle of Victoria Harbour 30 meters west of central pier, extending for 280mts west and covering the 280meter width of Victoria Harbour from the outer edge of d’Albora Marina to the outer edge of New Quay West Marina as marked by buoys.
13 January – 31 January
1845 – 1915
2045 – 2245
Please note following onsite approval single transit lanes will remain open on the southern and northern sides of Victoria Habour for commercial vessels only, during the hours of: 20:45 – 21:20
21:45 – 22:20
Closed
Victoria Habour - Situated as a square in the middle of Victoria Harbour 30 meters west of central pier, extending for 280mts west and covering the 280meter width of Victoria Harbour from the outer edge of d’Albora Marina to the outer edge of New Quay West Marina as marked by buoys.
Works
Ongoing
Banana Alley Wharf maintenance works
Closed
Banana Alley Wharf closed for all use and purposes both on land and in water
4 October – 22 March
Hydrographic surveying
Open
17 January – 1 March
Botanic Gardens Landing dredging. Disposal site adjacent to Botanic Gardens Landing
Open
Botanic Gardens Landing closed – exclusion zone around works at dredging site and disposal site
20 September – 10 January
Lynch’s (Smithfield) Bridge works, Maribrynong River
Open
Lynch’s Bridge works – updated dates (see appended Gazettal Notice)
Until December 2022
Demolition of Western Tip of Central Pier Victoria Harbour
Open
Central Pier- Western Tip demolition (see appended Gazettal Notice)
Please note:
- There is currently infrastructure berthed alongside Enterprize Wharf.
- Arbory Afloat is in place alongside Flinders Walk.
- AVC is in place alongside Sandridge Wharf.
- Herring Island Meander has sediment build up creating shallow waters around the Island, please proceed with caution or avoid entering if unfamiliar with the area.
- There is crowd load and berthing restrictions currently in place at Leonda Landing, with 10 person crowd load limit and no berthing on the upstream 5m span of the landing.
- Herring Island Southern landing is tilted at a steep incline during low tide.
*All closed river events will be conditional upon publishing of an Activity Exclusion Zone Notice in the Government Gazette in accordance with section 208(2) of the Marine Safety Act 2010. For the purposes of planning and/or operations, river users may assume the river is closed unless otherwise notified, in writing, by Parks Victoria.
# Event operates under a Flag System. A flag marshal will be positioned at the starting and finishing points of the course to indicate when vessels can proceed through.
## See Notice to Rivers Users
All vessels in the area of activities are advised to travel with caution and to follow any directions given by Parks Victoria Officers. River traffic along these sections of river during event times may encounter delays due to congestion and are urged to maintain a courteous manner toward other river users.
For further information, contact Parks Victoria on 13 1963 or visit Parks Victoria website www.parks.vic.gov.au.
Marine Safety Act 2010
Section 211(1)(b)
NOTICE CONTROLLING NAVIGATION IN THE VICINITY OF WORKS
Parks Victoria, as the declared waterway manager for the waters of Maribyrnong River upstream of Shepherd Bridge on Footscray Road, makes the following notice under section 211(1)(b)(i) of the Marine Safety Act 2010 (Vic) (the Act).
For the purposes of the works activity proposed by Fitzgerald Constructions Pty Ltd and AWS Services to undertake maintenance and rehabilitation works on Lynch’s Bridge over Maribyrnong River, the navigation and movement of vessels is prohibited in the waters of the Maribyrnong River as detailed below in Table 1, excluding vessels involved in the works and Parks Victoria vessels.
Table 1: Lynch’s (Smithfield) Bridge works
Dates/Stages
Prohibited Waters
Open for transit
Stage 1:
20 September to 8 November 2021
Northern spans 1, 2 and 3 closed to river traffic, extending 30 metres upstream and downstream of the bridge to the northern bank
Southern span - single lane open to river traffic
Stage 2:
9 November to 22 December 2021
Southern spans 3, 4 and 5 closed to river traffic, extending 30 metres upstream and downstream of the bridge to the southern bank
Northern span - single lane open to river traffic
Stage 3:
23 November 2021
Full width of river extending 30 metres upstream and downstream of the bridge
Closed
The prohibited waters will be marked by lit yellow communication buoys, unlit stringline buoys and sign float information buoys on approach from both upstream and downstream. Vessels travelling downstream have right of way.
Times and dates are subject to change. Changes to times, durations or days will be advertised on Parks Victoria's website and Notice to River Users.
This notice has effect from 7am on 20 September 2021 to 5pm on 22 December 2021.
BY ORDER OF PARKS VICTORIA
Date: 17/09/2021
Marine Safety Act 2010
Section 211(1)(b)
NOTICE CONTROLLING NAVIGATION IN THE VICINITY OF WORKS
Parks Victoria, as the declared waterway manager for the waters of the Yarra River upstream of the port waters of the Port of Melbourne, makes the following notice under section 211(1)(b)(i) of the Marine Safety Act 2010 (Vic) (the Act) for the purposes of works activity proposed by Australian Venue Co to undertake the installation and fit out of Yarra Botanicals floating bar & eatery.
The navigation and movement of vessels is prohibited from waters of the Yarra River as detailed below in Table 1, excluding vessels involved in the works and Parks Victoria vessels.
Table 1: Yarra Botanicals
Date
Site
Prohibited Waters
22 November 2021 – 13 December 2021
Prahran Main Drain site, between Cremorne Rail Bridge & Church St Bridge
Along the southern bank 100 metres wide and extending 15 metres into the river as marked by buoys
Sandridge Wharf, 30 metres upstream of Sandridge Bridge
Along the southern bank, extending 100 metres further upstream and 20 metres into the river as marked by buoys
The prohibited waters will be marked by four (4) lit yellow communication buoys and unlit stringline buoys on approach from upstream and downstream.
Times and dates are subject to change. Changes to times, durations or days will be advertised on Parks Victoria's website and Notice to River Users.
This notice has effect from 6:00am on 22 November 2021 until 5:00pm on 13 December 2021.
BY ORDER OF PARKS VICTORIA
Date:17/11/21
NOTICE CONTROLLING NAVIGATION IN THE VICINITY OF WORKS
Parks Victoria, as the declared waterway manager for the waters of the Yarra River upstream of the port waters of the Port of Melbourne, makes the following notice under section 211(1)(b)(i) of the Marine Safety Act 2010 (Vic) (the Act) for the purposes of works activity proposed by Fitzgerald Constructions Pty Ltd to undertake the demolition of the Western Tip of Central Pier within Victoria Harbour.
The navigation and movement of vessels is prohibited from waters of Victoria Harbour, Yarra River, as detailed below in Table 1, excluding vessels involved in the works and Parks Victoria vessels.
Table 1: Victoria Harbour prohibited waters
Dates
Work Site
Prohibited Waters
29 November 2021 – 23 December 2022
Western tip of Central Pier, Victoria Harbour
Extending 30 metres from either the northern, southern or western side of the pier, as marked by yellow “exclusion zone” buoys
Adjacent to vacant MAB site (West of New Quay West Marina), Victoria Harbour
Extending approximately 30 metres from the embankment of the MAB Site into the harbour, to a length of 150 metres along the shoreline as marked by yellow “exclusion zone” buoys
The exclusion zone will be marked by six (6) water communication buoys and a silt curtain installed around works area. Floating information signage will be installed upon approach to advise vessels of no wash around the work sites.
Times and dates are subject to change. Changes to times, durations or days will be advertised on Parks Victoria's website and Notice to River Users.
This notice has effect from 7:00am on 29 November 2021 to 6:00pm on 23 December 2022.
BY ORDER OF PARKS VICTORIA
Date: 25/11/21
Advisory Note to commercial vessel operators on the Yarra River – South Wharf Landing Berthing arrangements
Parks Victoria proposes to amend the berthing arrangements for South Wharf Landing. The current berthing classification for South Wharf Landing, as listed in the Vessel Operating and Zoning Rules for Victorian Waters Version 33 (VOZR), is ‘4 hour limit’. Parks Victoria proposes to amend the classification in the VOZR by creating two designated 30 metres berths at South Wharf Landing, with the following classifications:
South Wharf Landing - Berth No. 1 - 4 hour limit
South Wharf Landing - Berth No. 2 - Authorised commercial vessels only
South Wharf Landing Berth No 1 will be the downstream berth, and Berth No 2 will be the upstream berth. Parks Victoria has requested the amendment to the Director Transport Safety via Maritime Safety Victoria. If/when the amendment is approved by the Director Transport Safety, a further advisory note will be sent to all commercial vessel operators.
The reason for the alternation to the berthing classification is to allow Berth No. 2 to be used exclusively by commercial vessel operators who are issued a berthing licence for Berth No. 2.
Attachments: NTRU January 12 (414KB)
Botanic Gardens Landing Closure
Botanic Gardens Landing will be closed for all use and purposes on land and on water between 24 January and 24 February 2022 due to dredging works. Please ensure to stay clear of the exclusion zone and to give way to all river traffic travelling in a downstream direction past the exclusion zone. For more information - see attached information sheet.
Attachments: Botanic Gardens Landing Closure - Information (432KB)
Shallow waters - Herring Island Environmental Sculpture Park
The Herring Island meander on the Yarra River has reduced water depth as a result of built up sediments. Please ensure that you navigate this area with caution as certain sections have encroached into the main section of the river (near Como and Wesley Rowing landing).
Further updates and changes to conditions will be provided as needed.
Lower Yarra River Maintenance Dredging Program- Dredging Campaign 2021/22
The second year of dredging under the current four-year Maintenance Dredging Program will commence on 15 October and be completed 31 March. Dredging will occur at four sites between Botanic Gardens Landing and Burnley Harbour. See attached River User Update for more information and the current Notice to River Users for detailed information on safe navigation and exclusion zones related to the works.
Attachments: Edition 2 - River User Update Yarra Maintenance Dredging Program Sep 2021 (1,069KB)
Notice to river users - river closures, works, and events
As Waterway Manager under the Marine Safety Act 2010 Parks Victoria wishes to advise these waterway closures and activities (PDF) on the Yarra River, Maribyrnong River and Victoria Harbour.
Attachments: NTRU January 12 (414KB)
