Yarra Flats Park
Visitor Guide
Yarra Flats Park features 85 hectares of pastoral and heritage landscapes, natural bushland,
wetlands, abundant birdlife and a number of informal picnic areas.
Access to the park
Pedestrian and cyclist access is available from
various points in the park at all times. Vehicle
entry is available from The Boulevard, East
Ivanhoe (Melway 32 B6). Car park gates are
open 6am to 6pm, extending to 9pm during
daylight savings.
Dogs are permitted in the park but must remain on
a leash at all times. Dogs are not permitted within
the (fenced) Annulus Billabong Wildlife Sanctuary.
Droughts and floods in the 1860s forced many
farmers off the land and dairy farms were then
established. Yarra Flats Park comprised land that
was originally the properties of the Charterisville
and Hartlands estate, built in the 1800s. A
hawthorn hedgerow planted to define the common
boundary remains today. Chinese market
gardeners built bluestone walls to divert river
water into their gardens. In 1934, floods wiped
out the gardens, but the walls remain as
reminders of this land practice. The last dairy
farmers were the Flemming brothers who sold
their land to the state government in the 1970s.
Yarra Flats Park was officially opened in 1984 and
is now a significant part of the open space
network of interconnecting linear parks, trails,
wetlands and waterways throughout the
metropolitan area.
Flora and Fauna
Facilities and Activities
There is a wood barbecue, picnic tables and
shelters located near the car park. Fires are
permitted only in the barbecue provided, and you
are welcome to bring your own small gas
barbecue.
The toilet block at Yarra Flats Park is wheelchair
accessible.
Along the Main Yarra Trail is the Heidelberg
School Artists Trail, which illustrates how artists a
century ago (such as Condor, McCubbin and
Streeton) interpreted the landscape. Many of
these works are now recognised as National
Treasures.
History
The Yarra Flats areas was a popular site for
Aboriginal gatherings of the Wurundjeri people up
until the 1950’s. From the 1830s the land was
claimed by the state and sold as prime agricultural
land. The fertile soils provided excellent
conditions for growing wheat and barley.
Most of the Yarra Flats area is classed as
‘Riparian Floodplain Woodland’ particularly
featuring River Red Gum and wetlands. At the
billabong in the Annulus Wildlife Sanctuary, a
chorus of local frog
species can be heard.
Billabongs dry out
occasionally as part of
their natural cycle.
Native birds such as
the Azure Kingfisher
have been sighted
here and play a crucial role controlling native
insect populations in the trees. Keep a sharp eye
out at dusk and you may get a glimpse of our local
bat species. After dark, keep a watch out for
possums and owls.
Groups
Organised events or groups of 100 people or
more require a permit from Parks Victoria.
Permits detail park regulations and guide
appropriate activities.
Updated May 2011
Australian-made 100% recycled paper
LOCALITY MAP
For further information
YARRA VALLEY PARKLANDS
Parks Victoria
Information Centre
Call 13 1963
or visit the
Parks Victoria website
www.parkweb.vic.gov.au
LOWER
PLENTY
PRESTON
Caring for the
environment
YARRA
FLATS
NORTHCOTE
BULLEEN
Help us look after your park
by following these guidelines:
Please take rubbish away with
you for recycling & disposal
All native plants & animals
are protected by law.
Please do not disturb them
in any way
Dogs are permitted in the park
(except the Annulus Wildlife
Sanctuary), but must be kept on
a leash at all times
Portable gas barbeques are
allowed
No fires, including barbeques,
may be lit on a day of Total Fire
Ban
Rd
1.5
0
KEW
BOX HILL
MELBOURNE
→
Main Yarra Trail
to Westerfolds Park
3
Kilometres
BANKSIA
PARK
Entrance
(Banksia Park)
ENTRANCE
Annulus
Wildlife Sanctuary
Yarra Flats
Major Road
Minor Road
Multi-Purpose Track
Bolin Bolin
Billabong
Park Boundary
Car Park
Wetland
Yarra
Healthy Parks Healthy People
Visiting a park can improve
your health, mind, body and
soul. So, with over four million
hectares of parkland available
to Victorians, why not escape
to a park today!
Water Body
Picnic Area
Barbecues
Chinese bluestone walls
used for damming Yarra
to irrigate crops.
Shelter
Information
Main Yarra Trail
to the City
Disabled Toilets
Toilets
Bird Watching
Cycling Track
Walking Track
No Dogs Allowed
0
125
250
Metres
A
Cartography by Parks Victoria
Mapping Systems, March 2000
J:/Mapping/Parknotes/Yarra/
YarraFlats/YarraFlats.wor