Maribyrnong River

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Maribyrnong River at Footscray looking towards the CBD
Maribyrnong River
Length	50km
Difficulty	Easy
Connecting Transport

Map of Maribyrnong River, Victoria

The Maribyrnong River rises about 50 km north of Melbourne Victoria (Australia), near Mount Macedon. It flows generally southward and combines with the Yarra River to flow into Port Phillip.

The inner western and north-western suburbs of Melbourne are located in the vicinity of the Maribyrnong River and the river has given its name to the suburb of Maribyrnong and the local government area, the City of Maribyrnong.

[edit] The name Maribyrnong

Maribyrnong River in the suburb Maribyrnong

The river was initially called the Saltwater River by settlers due to the tidal nature of its lower reaches.

The name Maribyrnong is derived either from mirring-gnay-bir-nong which in Woiwurrung, the language of the local Wurundjeri people, is said to mean "I can hear a ringtail possum"^{[citation needed]} or from the Woiwurrung for "saltwater river"^[1] (Gunung or Gunnung is the Woiwurrung for river^[2]).

Marriburnong is an alternate spelling listed on a map dated from 1840.^[1]

[edit] History

The Maribyrnong River valley has been home for the Wurundjeri people of the Kulin nation for up to 40,000 years. Human remains dated at least 15,000 years old have been found along the river, with much older signs of human habitation also present.

The first Europeans to explore along the river were the party led by Charles Grimes, Deputy Surveyor-General of New South Wales, in February 1803. John Batman is likely to have explored up the river in early 1835. With the establishment of the colony of Melbourne later that year, sheep runs were soon established by Edmund Davis Fergusson and Michael Solomon in the Avondale and Sunshine areas. On Solomon's sheep station the ford now near the west end of Canning Street in Avondale Heights soon became known as Solomon's Ford. This was the lowest crossing on the Saltwater (Maribyrnong) River, and the furthest inland point of tidal influence. Batman is believed to have crossed the river at this point probably in the well worn steps of Aboriginals. It was for many years the only way from Melbourne to Geelong and land west.

During the second half of the nineteenth century much of Melbourne's industry was located along the river, and the water became very degraded. With the closure of many industries since the 1960s and 1970s, much river front land has opened up to parkland and highly sought after residential estates.

[edit] Geography

[edit] Headwaters

Jacksons Creek starts its journey north of Mount Macedon, 50 km north of Melbourne.

To the west of Melbourne Airport the tributaries of Jacksons Creek and Deep Creek conjoin to form the Maribyrnong River. The Organ Pipes National Park can be found on Jacksons Creek, near the Calder Freeway: a pleasant picnic site, and a unique display of basaltic columns a geological formation so named because they look like organ pipes.

[edit] Middle reaches

Maribyrnong River at Brimbank Park

The river flows south and west. At Keilor the river winds back on itself in a giant horsehoe bend, before winding south again at Brimbank Park. Here the river flows fifty five metres below the western plains. Horseshoe Bend Farm is a small scale farm open to schools, kindergartens, playgroups and the general public.

Brimbank Park forms a huge amphitheatre in the bend in the river with picnic areas, cycle and walking trails, and a cafe, which reverberate with activity on weekends and public holidays. The area is rich in birdlife and native fauna.

The Maribyrnong River Trail shared path starts at Brimbank Park, following mostly beside the river to near its conjunction with the Yarra River in Footscray. At Avondale Heights and Essendon West residents have a spectacular view over the river valley to the skyscrapers of the Melbourne CBD.

[edit] Lower reaches

The river flows past Pipemakers Park at Maribyrnong and the Living Museum of the West which presents information on the history of the river and the early industrial history of the site. Dolphins are sometimes sighted in the lower reaches of the river, along with many water birds, especially at Burndap Park.

Footscray Park opposite the Flemington Racecourse is only metres down river from Pipemakers Park and Burndap Park, the river then meanders across the floodplain to its juncture with the Yarra River at Yarraville.

[edit] Recreational use

As the second major river in metropolitan Melbourne the Maribyrnong plays a very important part in Melbourne's recreation. Boating, cycling along its bike paths such as the Maribyrnong River Trail, fishing, and walking. Light bushwalking can also be done and nature watchers can observe Australian native fauna such as echidna, wallabies as well as the ubiquitous possums and flying foxes.

[edit] Flora and Fauna

[edit] Native species

Maribyrnong river at West Essendon

Many native species exist along the Maribyrnong River with many species thriving in the area. Parks Victoria (January 2008). Maribyrnong Valley Parklands.