Birrarung Marr is an 8-hectare urban park on the north bank of the Yarra River between Federation Square and Melbourne Park. Opened in 2002, it was Melbourne‘s first significant new inner-city park in over a century. The name comes from the Woiwurrung language of the Wurundjeri people — ‘birrarung’ means ‘river of mists’ and ‘marr’ refers to the side of the river. The park provides open terraces, native plantings, pedestrian and cycle paths, public art, and space for festivals and major events.
Birrarung Marr location and access
The park is between Federation Square and Rod Laver Arena, directly behind Flinders Street Station. You can enter from Federation Square, from Batman Avenue, or from the William Barak Bridge that connects to the MCG. Most city trams pass Flinders Street Station, and the location falls within Melbourne’s Free Tram Zone. From the station, cross Swanston Street toward Federation Square and follow the river along Princes Walk.
The Fed Square car park on Russell Street Extension offers the nearest parking, charging a bleakly expensive $16 per hour. Given the central location and free tram zone, public transport makes much more sense than driving. The park is open 24 hours daily with free entry.
Park layout
The park is designed as three open terraces at different levels. The lower terrace next to the river has gravel surfaces and elm trees. The middle terrace on the east side adjacent to Batman Avenue is grassed. The upper grassed terrace on the north side is at the same level as Flinders Street, about 10 metres above the river bank. These terraces were formed using spoil from construction of nearby Federation Square, the rail lines, and Melbourne Arena, with basalt boulders from excavations reused as retaining walls.
The terraces and drainage channels lined with river red gums evoke the billabongs that once existed on the site. Linear paths and bridge structures reference the railways that dominated this area through much of Melbourne’s history. Despite proximity to major roads and rail lines, the park is surprisingly quiet and peaceful.
Five great things to do while you’re in Melbourne
- 🏙️ Get to know the city’s history and culture on a laneways walking tour.
- 🍷 Take a Yarra Valley day tour with indulgent wine-tasting.
- 🚴 Cover far more of Melbourne’s highlights on an electric bike tour.
- 🛶 Kayak along the Yarra River at sunset.
- 🍽️ Discover Melbourne’s multicultural dining scene on a top-rated food tour.
What to see in Birrarung Marr
Birrarung Wilam is a collection of artworks exploring Victoria‘s Indigenous culture. A winding pathway shaped like an eel acknowledges the significance of eels as a traditional food source for the Wurundjeri people. A semicircle of metal shields represents each of the five groups of the Kulin Nation. An audio installation tells the story of contemporary Wurundjeri.
The Federation Bells installation comprises 39 upturned bronze bells ranging from 500 grams to 1.2 tonnes. Created for Australia’s federation centenary in 2001, the bells are on the middle terrace in the centre of the park. They play three times daily — 8am to 9am, 12:30pm to 1:30pm, and 5pm to 6pm — performing compositions from Australian and international composers. The bells are audible within about 100 metres.
Angel, a colourful two-headed sculpture by artist Deborah Halpern, is by the river’s edge. The sculpture appears on many Melbourne tourist materials and is a popular photo spot.
ArtPlay occupies the former Princes Bridge Lecture Room, a red brick railway training building from 1916-17. The City of Melbourne runs this children’s art centre offering creative workshops where children from babies to 13 years work with professional artists. Programs include painting, puppeteering, sculpture, digital arts, and more. The venue only opens when events are scheduled, typically Wednesday to Sunday 10am to 4pm during program times. Most workshops require pre-booking — check the City of Melbourne website for the current schedule. A playground is next to ArtPlay.
Bridges and connections
The William Barak Bridge is a pedestrian bridge at the east end of the park leading directly to the Melbourne Cricket Ground, where the tours are worth taking. As you cross, listen for songs, words and sounds representing Melbourne’s cultural diversity — the bridge includes an audio installation. The Tanderrum Bridge leads to Melbourne Park tennis centre.
The park forms part of the Capital City Trail, providing continuous bike access around central Melbourne. The Yarra River Trail runs through the park on its south side, popular with walkers and cyclists.
Birrarung Marr: Practical details
The park has public toilets near Speakers’ Corner. Barbecue facilities are available for picnics. The terraces are wheelchair accessible, with a footbridge connecting the three levels. Benches throughout provide seating with views of the city skyline, Yarra River, and surrounding landmarks including the Victorian Arts Centre spires and St Paul’s Cathedral.
Dogs are permitted on leads. The park hosts major events throughout the year including festivals, Circus Oz performances, Moomba Waterfest activities, and outdoor concerts. During these events, sections may be closed or crowded.
Speakers’ Corner
The southeastern section of Birrarung Marr contains Speakers’ Corner, also known as Yarra Bank. This area has historical and social significance as one of the few places in Melbourne where large groups could gather and speak without special permits. In 1916, about 50,000 people gathered here to protest conscription. The site is listed on the Victorian Heritage Register. Small mounds mark where speakers once stood to address crowds.
Nearby attractions
Federation Square is immediately adjacent. NGV Australia (The Ian Potter Centre) displays Australian art from Indigenous works to contemporary practice across 20 galleries with free entry to permanent collections. ACMI is Australia’s museum of screen culture, exploring film, television, videogames and digital art through interactive exhibitions and cinema screenings. The Koorie Heritage Trust celebrates southeastern Aboriginal culture.
Flinders Street Station, Melbourne’s grand Edwardian railway terminus from 1910, is directly opposite. St Paul’s Cathedral next door offers Gothic Revival architecture. Hosier Lane, a five-minute walk away, is Melbourne’s most famous street art location where murals constantly evolve.
The Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) is directly across the William Barak Bridge. The stadium holds 100,000 people and hosts cricket in summer and AFL football in winter. The National Sports Museum is inside, while tours go behind the scenes. Rod Laver Arena and Melbourne Park are at the eastern edge of Birrarung Marr, hosting the Australian Open tennis tournament each January.
The Royal Botanic Gardens are about 1.5km southeast along the river. These 38-hectare gardens are among the world’s finest examples of Victorian-era landscaping, featuring themed gardens, lakes, and over 8,500 plant species. The Shrine of Remembrance, Victoria’s major war memorial, is nearby in parkland with impressive city views from its balcony.
Southbank Promenade along the Yarra’s south bank offers riverside dining, bars, and the Arts Centre Melbourne. Walk west to Crown Casino’s entertainment precinct or explore the restaurants and cafés that line the river.
Melbourne’s laneways — Degraves Street, Centre Place, Hardware Lane — are within easy walking distance. These narrow spaces filled with cafés, bars and restaurants define Melbourne’s dining culture better than major streets.
Queen Victoria Market, about 1.5km north, is the Southern Hemisphere’s largest open-air market with over 600 traders. Best visited early morning, particularly for the food hall. Night markets operate during summer.
Making the most of your visit
The park works well as a quiet break between busier attractions or as a walking route between the city centre and sporting venues. Time your visit around the Federation Bells performances at 8am-9am, 12:30pm-1:30pm, or 5pm-6pm to experience the installation at its best.
Early morning offers the most peaceful atmosphere before crowds arrive at Federation Square and nearby venues. Late afternoon provides good light for photography and views of the city skyline. The park is pleasant year-round, though summer can be hot with limited shade on the upper terraces.
If you have children, check the ArtPlay schedule before visiting — free exhibitions sometimes run alongside ticketed workshops, and drop-in sessions occasionally operate during school holidays.
During major events at the MCG or Rod Laver Arena, the park becomes busy with crowds using the pedestrian bridges. On Melbourne Cup Day, Australian Open fortnight, and during big AFL matches, expect thousands of people walking through.
The Australian Open Festival takes over Birrarung Marr each January with live music, food stalls, and entertainment. During this period, normal access to parts of the park is restricted. The park also hosts Night Noodle Markets and other food festivals throughout the year.
Birrarung Marr demonstrates how former industrial land can be transformed into valuable public space. The thoughtful design respects Indigenous heritage while creating a functional urban park that serves multiple purposes — quiet recreation, major events, and pedestrian connections. For visitors, it offers a pleasant riverside walk, interesting public art, and a perspective on Melbourne’s evolution from railway yards to modern city.
More Melbourne travel
Other Melbourne travel articles on Planet Whitley include:
- Planning a visit to Melbourne’s Immigration Museum.
- A guide to visiting Luna Park Melbourne.
- Melbourne Zoo visitor guide.
- 9 surprisingly old attractions in big cities.
- Australia’s capital cities – ranked.
