Traveller safety information

At Yarra Bend Park, the largest area of natural vegetation near the City of Melbourne, the landscape varies from steep, wild river escarpments to open woodlands, formal parkland, playing fields and golf courses. It has over 16 km of river frontage, and superb views of the city and the Dandenongs from the higher areas.

Yarra Bend Park Strategic Management Plan - Have Your Say

A new Strategic Management Plan is being prepared for Yarra Bend Park. The Plan will set management directions for the next 10 years to protect natural and cultural values, improve recreation opportunities, and enhance community involvement and appreciation.

Information on the plan is provided in the first project newsletter:
Yarra Bend Park Strategic Management Plan – Project Newsletter No. 1

Further information, including a values and overall directions chart and precinct directions plan, is available in the Yarra Bend Park Strategic Management Plan Issues and Options Paper.

There are several opportunities to contribute to the plan.

• Contact the consultant team to find out more about the project or offer comments. Phone Robin Crocker on 9830 2242 or email robin@crocker-jones.net.au
• Complete a Comments Sheet and return to the consultant team.

• The park is used for boating, canoeing, team sports, golf, fishing, orienteering, picnicking, dining out, bird watching and just enjoying the bush.
• A shared walking and bicycle path follows the Yarra and high above the Merri Creek in the western and northern parts of the park.'
• Practise your casting at the international fly-casting pool
• Open space and sporting fields are used for organised and informal sports including cricket, football, soccer and bocce.
• There are many walking tracks at Yarra Bend Park to suit all fitness levels. The popular Main Yarra Trail passes through the park extending from Templestowe to Southbank. Secluded riverside trails follow the Yarra through peaceful bush surrounds. Varying length circuit trails take you to popular sites including Dights Falls and Deep Rock.
• 18 hole golf course and 9 hole par 3 golf course.

Yarra Bend Golf Course

Summer Twilight Special at Yarra Bend Golf Course
(October 2009 – March 2010)
Special 1: Play unlimited golf for just $20.00 between 2pm and 5pm (Mon-Fri)
Special 2: Play unlimited golf for just $15.00 after 5pm (Mon-Fri)

For bookings contact the Pro Shop on (03) 9481 3729.

The Yarra Bend Golf Course is situated in Yarra Bend Park, Fairfield, only 4 km from the Melbourne CBD. The majestic Yarra River hugs the edges of this scenic course, providing picturesque views of the river and rocky cliffs. Well known as one of Melbourne's premier public courses for years, Yarra Bend features high quality greens and sculptured fairways.

Golfpass Centre: 18 Holes, Par 70, ACR 68.6, 5538m

Teaching Professional: Brett McMartin
Hire: Clubs $25.00 full set, $15.00 half set, Buggies $4.50, Motorised carts 18 holes $35.00, Motorised carts 9 holes $20.00.
Green Fees
Adult, 18 holes: $25.00 (Monday to Friday), $26.00 (Saturday, Sunday); concession: $18.00 (Monday to Friday only); junior: $11.00.
Midweek, 9-hole: $19.00; Summer Twilight Fee: 2.00pm – 5.00pm $20.00; after 5.00pm $15.00.
Golf lessons (½ hour lesson): $40.00.

Yarra Bend Golf Course
Yarra Bend Road
Fairfield VIC 3101
(Melway Ref: 2D G6)

For more information on Yarra Bend Golf Course visit www.ausgolf.com.au or email: YarraBendGolfCourse@parks.vic.gov.au

Studley Park Golf Course

This 9 hole course features all Par 3 holes and is ideal for the beginner, senior, or relaxing game of golf. With stunning views of the city from the Course, Studley Park makes for a more informal round of golf.

9 Holes, Par 27, 1196m
Hire: Clubs $12.50

Practice putting green.

Club House with breakfast, lunch and coffee available.
Green Fees: $10.00 daily, $7.00 juniors/concession.

Studley Park Golf Course
Cnr of Studley Park Road and Walmer Street
Kew VIC 3101
(Melway Ref: 2D F11)
Phone (03) 9852 8144

Studley Park Boathouse

Historic Studley Park Boathouse, Kew, is only 10 minutes from the city centre and offers visitors the opportunity to dine in the restaurant, relax over a lighter meal in the indoor/outdoor café, or have a light snack from the kiosk while enjoying sweeping views of the Yarra River and natural bushland. You can also hire row boats, canoes and kayaks from the oldest operating boathouse in Australia.

Opening Hours
Open for Breakfast from 9.00 am until 11.00 am Saturday, Sunday and public holidays. Also open for afternoon teas and lunches daily from 12.00 pm.

Contact Details
Boathouse Road
Kew, Victoria, 3101.
The Restaurant (03) 9853 1828
Boathouse Cafe (03) 9853 8707
Kiosk Boathire (03) 9853 1972
Fax: (03) 9853 9694

Website Address: www.studleyparkboathouse.com.au
Email: info@studleyparkboathouse.com.au

The Boulevard Restaurant and Functions

The Boulevard Restaurant and Functions is uniquely situated in the bushland of Kew, only minutes from Melbourne's CBD, yet with spectacular views of the city and the local Studley Park precinct.

This makes the venue an ideal place for breakfast and lunch, private and corporate functions, weddings and other special occasions such as Christenings and Communal celebrations.

The chef specialises in creative cuisine and the restaurant is fully licensed.

There is ample free car parking and plenty of space to accommodate your specific requirements.

The Boulevard is open seven days per week for breakfast and lunch, a leisurely coffee or an afternoon champagne.

Opening Hours
Monday to Friday
Breakfast: 7:30am - 11:00am
Lunch: 12:00pm - 3:00pm

Saturday and Sundays
Breakfast: 8:00am - 11:00am
Lunch: 12:00pm - 3:00pm

Contact Details
For restaurant bookings and function enquires please phone (03) 9852 8144.
Fax: (03) 9852 7419
Email: info@theboulevard.com.au
Web: www.theboulevard.com.au

Victorian Indigenous Nurseries Co-operative (VINC)

VINC is a not for profit, SGA certified plant nursery that has been producing local indigenous flora from the north and east of Melbourne for supply to local government and government agencies, community groups and schools, landscape contractors and members of the public since 1985. VINC’s objectives are to supply the local community with sustainably grown, quality tubestock and to demonstrate the benefits of using indigenous plants through community awareness and education. VINC also runs community events, supports volunteers and FO VINC wetlands.

Nursery Hours
Monday to Friday: 9.30 am - 4.30 pm
Saturday and Sunday: 12.00 pm - 4.00 pm

Contact Details
Victorian Indigenous Nurseries Co-operative
Yarra Bend Road
Fairfield VIC 3078
Turn Off Heidelberg Road
Melways Ref: 2D F4

Phone: (03) 9482 1710
Website: www.vinc.net.au
Email: inc@vicnet.net.au

Dog Training at Yarra Bend Park

Naturally Wild Holistic Animal Care provides dog training classes at Yarra Bend Park. Group or private classes are available for your puppy through to the adult dog. From basic to advanced obedience or tricks to sports. Positive, motivational based techniques are utilised, building the relationship between you and your dog. For more information visit: www.naturallywild.net.au

• Studley Park Boathouse, built in 1863 and recently restored, offers cafe, bistro and restaurant dining and canoe and rowboat hire.
• Picnic areas
• Kanes Bridge leads across the river to picnic areas, sports grounds and the 18 hole Yarra Bend Golf Course.
• The nine hole Studley Park Par 3 Golf Course is situated on Walmer Street, Kew.
• Studley Park Picnic Area (close by Studley Park Boathouse) offers picnic shelters, electric barbecues and toilet facilities.
• Bellbird Picnic Area (off Yarra Boulevard) offers a peaceful alternative to busy Studley Park. This setting provides a shelter, electric barbecue, toilet facilities and canoe-launching ramp.

Hire a site for your group function

Yarra Bend Park offers a number of sites that can be hired on a casual or seasonal basis. Whether it be a picnic, wedding ceremony, sporting activity or community event, the information below should assist with reserving a site for your next function.

Picnic Areas

Three picnic shelters are available for hire until 1 April 2010. Areas currently available for hire include the Westfield Picnic Shelter (cnr of Heidelberg and Yarra Bend Road) and the North and South Rotunda (Yarra Bend Loop Road). Parks Victoria does not reserve any shelters at the Studley Park Picnic Area (near the Boathouse). This area operates on a first come, first served basis.

Two grassed sites with spectacular river views are also available for hire near Yarra Bend Loop Road.

Please note that from 1 April 2010, Parks Victoria will no longer issue permits for exclusive use of the above mentioned areas.

Sports Fields

Sports grounds are available for hire for social matches, including two synthetic pitch ovals. Sports grounds are often not available on Saturdays and some Sundays during the cricket season, when used by Licenced cricket clubs. Pavilion rooms are not included in social match bookings. Turf pitches cannot be hired. Please contact the Park Office regarding seasonal use of cricket pitches.

How to Book

To reserve an area at Yarra Bend Park, please review the bookings information sheet and complete an 'expression of interest' form. This form should be returned to the Yarra Bend Park Office where a permit will be issued as confirmation.

• Yarra Bend Park Booking Information
• Yarra Bend Park Booking Form
• Pictures of Shelters
• Map of Yarra Bend Park

All unreserved areas continue to be available on a first-in first-served basis.

Events

Yarra Bend Park is a popular venue for hosting events such as cross-country runs and community-based events. Deep Rock Picnic Area is the preferred site for all events at Yarra Bend Park and is suitable for groups up to 500 people. Approval of events at Yarra Bend Park is managed separately to the picnic booking process. Please contact the Event Coordinator at the Yarra Bend Park Office (Phone: 13 1963) for further information about holding an event at Yarra Bend Park.

Personal Training

Yarra Bend Park is an ideal location for personal training activities, with many trails and open space areas suitable for one-on-one and group training sessions. A variety of activities to suit all fitness levels can be accommodated in a large variety of locations. All personal training activities require a permit, which can be obtained by completing the form below and returning to the Event Coordinator at Yarra Bend Park . For further enquiries please contact the Event coordinator at the Yarra Bend Park Office (Phone: 13 1963).

Personal Training Permit Application
Personal Training Permit Information Sheet

The junction of the Merri Creek and Yarra River on the western side of the park was an important meeting site for the Wurrundjeri people, with good hunting and fishing.

When Europeans arrived, the natural beauty of the area was soon recognised and a location in the south of the park was considered as a site for the first Government House. This area and surrounds were reserved as parkland in 1877.

At Dight's Falls, a weir was built on a natural rock bar in the early 1840s to supply water to the Dight brothers' flour mill - the old bluestone water channel and ruins of the mill can still be found on the north bank.

A number of institutions were established in the park throughout the nineteenth century, the most significant being the Yarra Bend Lunatic Asylum established at the end of Yarra Bend Road in 1848. The Asylum was closed in 1925, the only remnants being mature Elms and Moreton Bay fig trees, and a bluestone pillar.

Further information about the history of Yarra Bend Park is available here.

Yarra Bend Park Trust

In 2008, a "Review of the Management and Financial Arrangements for Yarra Bend Park" was undertaken in consultation with the park’s stakeholders including Trust members, Parks Victoria Staff and representatives from the Cities of Boroondara, Yarra and Darebin. The Report of the Review recommended that the Crown land that is Yarra Bend Park be assigned to DSE and that Parks Victoria be appointed as the Committee of Management of that land.

While the Trust system has worked well at Yarra Bend Park for over 70 years, the recommended governance arrangements will ensure the park’s future is sustained and enable improved access to the State’s management resources. A Bill passed through Parliament on 27 November 2009 to repeal the Kew and Heidelberg Lands Act 1933, effectively discontinuing the management responsibilities of the Trust while preserving the permanent reserve status of the park. The Bill also appointed Parks Victoria as a Committee of Management over the park.

Parks Victoria has undertaken the operational management of the park on behalf of the Trust through a Management Services Agreement since 1997. It is anticipated there will be little change in the day-to-day operations within the park, with Parks Victoria continuing to provide high quality service to the park and its stakeholders.

Aboriginal Traditional Owners

Parks Victoria acknowledges the Aboriginal Traditional Owners of Victoria - including its parks and reserves. Through their cultural traditions, Aboriginal people maintain their connection to their ancestral lands and waters.
Further information is available from Aboriginal Affairs Victoria AAV and Native Title Services Victoria

A total of 185 indigenous native fauna species have been recorded within Yarra Bend Park, including 125 bird, 10 mammal, 19 reptile, 15 butterfly, 5 amphibian and 11 freshwater fish. The Park contains 13 of Victorian’s 178 threatened fauna species including seven endangered and four vulnerable species. Birds commonly seen in Yarra Bend Park include the Rainbow Lorikeet, Red-rumped Parrot and on occasions, theYellow-tailed Black Cockatoo. Mammals found in the park include Echidnas, native Water Rats and Brush-tail and Ringtail Possums.

Grey-headed Flying-foxes at Yarra Bend Park
Grey-headed Flying-foxes are an important part of Melbourne’s wildlife, and until recently have been roosting in the Royal Botanic Gardens. Their presence in the Royal Botanic Gardens was not sustainable due to the sensitive nature of the vegetation.

A relocation project was undertaken and the colony was successfully moved out of the Royal Botanic Gardens. In October 2003, the colony moved to Yarra Bend Park, where the females gave birth and raised their young over the summer months.

Recently the State Government announced that Yarra Bend Park would remain the permanent roost site for Melbourne’s colony of Grey-headed Flying-foxes.

The flying-fox colony is best viewed from Yarra Boulevard or Bellbird Picnic Area (Melway Map 44 K3). For more information about Melbourne’s flying-foxes, contact the Department of Sustainability and Environment on 136 186 or visit the Department’s website: www.dse.vic.gov.au

Yarra Bend Park contains some of the last stands of original bushland in inner Melbourne, with approximately half of the park covered by indigenous vegetation. The Park supports a high diversity of indigenous plants (approximately 292) and is defined by two broad vegetation groups, these being Plains Grassy Woodland and Valley Grassy Forest. Yarra Bend Park contains 7 of the state’s threatened flora species, one endangered, three vulnerable and three species suspected of being endangered, vulnerable or rare. In addition, 117 flora species are recognised as being important in the Melbourne Region.

• No dogs or bicycles in bushland conservation areas.
• Yarra Bend Park has a “Carry In - Carry Out” rubbish policy. Please take all rubbish with you when you leave.
• Abide by the On and Off Lead Dog Zones shown on the park map.
• Solid fuel barbecues or ovens (those that use wood, charcoal or briquettes) are not permitted at Yarra Bend Park.
• On days of Total Fire Ban, use only electric barbeques provided.
• Car parking is permitted only in marked spaces. No vehicles to be parked on ovals or open grass areas.
• Remember that all native plants and animals are protected.

• Care should be taken while walking on trails in bush areas near escarpments.
• Snakes are active during the warmer months at Yarra Bend Park.
• Emergency markers points are located in this park to help pinpoint your exact location in the case of an emergency. In an emergency call 000 and quote the emergency marker code. Further information about emergency markers is available here.

The park can be accessed by car or bus via Studley Park Road and Yarra Boulevard, Kew, or Yarra Bend Road, off Heidelberg Road, Fairfield. (Melway ref: 2D).

Bellbird Picnic Area

Bellbird picnic area offers good picnic settings near the Yarra River. A drainage channel around the area is a potential obstacle. The path to the jetty and river lookout is steep because of the downward slope of the riverbank. There is no designated accessible disabled toilet at this site. General accessible toilets are available.

Studley Park Boathouse

The Studley Park Boathouse area of Yarra Bend Park has picnic facilities and toilets that are generally accessible, though they do not meet all access criteria. There is a designated accessible toilet next to the car park. Some paths have unsealed surfaces, and there is no easy access to the river, or the boats. The cafe is accessed via stairs. The restaurant and kiosk are reasonably accessible.

Golf Course Loop Road

The picnic area at Golf Course Loop Road includes a rotunda that serves as a picnic shelter. The area is free of significant obstacles but lacks an access path. A potential obstacle is a spoon drain running across the car park designated for people with a disability. The walking tracks are unsealed.

Westfield Reserve

Westfield Reserve picnic area is down an embankment from the car park. The picnic shelter has good access, and is free of steps. There is an accessible toilet facility near the car parking area. This site is near the Main Yarra Trail, popular with cyclists and walkers.

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