Birrarung RiverfestAround Melbourne
Free
It stretches 242 kilometres from the Yarra Ranges to Port Phillip Bay, winds through the heart of Melbourne and is home to an abundance of wildlife. Originally referred to as Birrarung, it became known as the Yarra River in the 1830s after a surveyor reportedly misunderstood local Aboriginal people saying ‘Yarro Yarro’, meaning ‘it flows’. For generations, it has been central to the lives and culture of the Wurundjeri and Bunurong Boonwurrung peoples.
Yes, we’re talking about the Yarra River/Birrarung, whose catchment is home to more than one-third of Victoria’s population. And to celebrate it, Birrarung Riverfest is returning for a fourth year. Running from September 27 to October 18, it features more than 70 free events along the river, from Warburton to Westgate Park.
And who better to champion the cause than comedian, author and broadcaster Sammy J, this year’s Riverfest ambassador.
Highlights from the program include an Open Day at Wandersloe Sanctuary and riverside picnic with Yarra riverkeepers on September 27, learn-to-paddle sessions for schoolkids on September 29, an eight-kilometre walk along the Birrarung on September 30, and an evening walk at Finn’s Reserve on October 2 to spot the elusive platypus. There’s also an opportunity to plant indigenous groundcovers and shrubs on October 4. And that’s just week one.
Sammy J will MC and perform at River Rhythms, a singer-songwriter competition in Warburton on September 27, before leading the Big Birrarung Paddle on October 10. Volunteers will take to the water in kayaks and rowboats, collecting rubbish from the river as they go.
Riverfest will also shine a spotlight on stormwater pollution, one of the biggest threats to the river. More than 828 million pieces of litter enter Port Phillip Bay via the Yarra’s waters every year, much of it made up of microplastics.
Presented by the Yarra Riverkeeper Association, Birrarung Riverfest wraps up with Confluence 2026, a forum for community waterways supporters at Fed Square. After all, the more we connect with and clean up the Birrarung, the better it is for everybody.
Birrarung Riverfest runs from September 27 to October 18. Find out more here.
Stay in the loop: sign up for our free Time Out Melbourne newsletter for more city news, straight to your inbox.
