Kayak along the Yarra River as it winds through downtown Melbourne and discover how the city protects its fragile environment and local birdlife. The river is considered the social heart of Melbourne because so many attractions and popular parks line its banks. As your guide will explain, the Yarra’s water quality and ecology have improved significantly since the 1970s, when the river contained high levels of industrial waste. As you paddle along at a comfortable pace, you will pass under the Princes Bridge—a landmark on the Victorian Heritage Register—and skirt by the Flinders Street Railway Station, both extraordinary examples of 19th-century architecture. Melbourne also values its greenspaces, including verdant Alexandra Gardens and lush Batman Park, which you will find on opposite sides of the Yarra. Oases such as these attract a vast array of birds, so be sure to look for parrots, grey fantails and white-plumed honeyeaters, which thrive even in dense urban habitats.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Paddle a kayak along the Yarra River as it meanders through downtown Melbourne.
• Hear how Melbourne has protected its environment despite increased urban sprawl.
• Look for birds that thrive in dense urban settings.
• Pass some of Melbourne’s iconic architecture, some of it dating to the 19th century.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.