What is the Yarra River also known as?
Q: What is the Yarra River also known as?
A: The Yarra River is also known as the Yarra Yarra River, Aboriginal: Berrern, Birr-arrung, Bay-ray-rung, Birarang. Birrarung, and Wongete).
Q: Where does the river flow from?
A: The river flows from its source in the Yarra Ranges 242 kilometres (150 mi) west through the Yarra Valley.
Q: How was it used by indigenous Australians?
A: The river was a major food source for indigenous Australians during prehistoric times. It also served as a meeting place during those times.
Q: What did the Wurundjeri call it?
A: The Wurundjeri called it Birrarung.
Q: What does Yarro-yarro mean?
A: Yarro-yarro means "ever-flowing" in another Wurundjeri term in the Boonwurrung language.
Q: How has the landscape of the river changed since 1835?
A: The course of the river has been changed and widened in places and dams like Upper Yarra Reservoir have been built to help protect Melbourne from major flooding. Industrialisation led to destruction of marshlands at joining of Yarra and Maribyrnong Rivers near Coode Island in West Melbourne.
Q: How is its meaning celebrated each year?
A:The yearly Moomba festival celebrates the Yarra River's meaning to Melbourne.
