Birrarung Marr, Melbourne: Location, history, playground & name meaning

Birrarung Marr is an impressive-looking Melbourne Park on the north bank of the Yarra River. Go there for sculptures, events, a playground and the ArtPlay children’s art centre.

What is Birrarung Marr?

Birrarung Marr is a park in Melbourne, Victoria. It opened in 2002 on the site of a former railyard. Rail lines had run through this area since 1856.

Where is Birrarung Marr?

Birrarung Marr is on the north bank of the Yarra River at the eastern end of Melbourne City Centre. It provides a link between Federation Square and Melbourne Park – where the Australian Open tennis tournament is played.

At the eastern end, the William Barak pedestrian bridge connects Birrarung Marr to the Melbourne Cricket Ground – the biggest sports stadium in Australia.

14 fantastic experiences that make the most of your free time in Melbourne

Get the very best views – on a hot air balloon flight over the city.
See the changing colours of the river – on a sunset kayaking tour – with dinner. (Highly recommended ✅)
Feast and see the sights at the same time – on a four course dinner cruise along the Yarra River.
A genuinely excellent street art tour, led by prominent street artists. (Highly recommended ✅)
The also superb Aboriginal heritage, plants and bush food tour in the Botanic Gardens. (💲 Great value 💲)
Best of Melbourne bike tour – you can see more on two wheels than walking.
Hidden laneways bar crawl OR foodie discovery tour OR chocolate and dessert tour.
Combo ticket for Australian Sports Museum and MCG tour.
Hassle-dodging advance tickets for the Melbourne Skydeck, Melbourne Zoo, the Ice Bar (with cocktails) and Sea Life Aquarium.

What does Birrarung Marr mean?

In the local Woi Wurrung and Boon Wurrung culture, Birrarung is the name of the Yarra River. The Marr is a reference to the mist that sometimes settles over the Yarra. So Birrarung Marr means River of Mists.

How to do Melbourne IN STYLE

If there’s a special occasion while you’re in Melbourne, consider splashing out on these memory-making experiences…

An indulgent Yarra Valley food and wine tour – with lunch at Yering Station.
A sunrise hot air balloon flight across the city – followed by a champagne breakfast.
See the city by helicopter.
A private Great Ocean Road tour – with an early start to beat the crowds.
Tandem skydive from 14,000ft – and land on the beach.

What is there to do at Birrarung Marr?

Birrarung Marr is a heavily sculpted, busy park, and it hosts several festivals and events. Walk through, and there’s a decent chance you’ll find something going on.

There are several pedestrian and bike paths running through Melbourne’s top riverside park, and several artworks to admire.

At the western end of Birrarung Marr is a popular children’s playground.

👇 7 great day trips while you’re in Melbourne 👇

Great Ocean Road tour – with koalas 🐨.
Brighton Beach, Moonlit Sanctuary and Phillip Island tour – with penguins 🐧.
Yarra Valley wine tour – with gin, cider and cheese 🍷.
Grampians National Park tour – with bushwalks and LOADS of kangaroos 🦘.
Mornington Peninsula tour – with hot springs bathing 🛀.
Wilsons Promontory tour – with all manner of native wildlife 🦘🐨.
Dandenong Ranges steam train ride – plus wildlife at Healesville Sanctuary and chocolate-tasting in the Yarra Valley.

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ArtPlay in Melbourne

Next to the Birrarung Marr playground is what used to be a railway training building. It is now home to ArtPlay, a gallery and children’s art centre, which hosts an impressive programme of events where children can meet artists and learn skills from them.

For more information on Birrarung Marr, visit the City of Melbourne website.

Other attractions in Melbourne within walking distance of Birrarung Marr include the heritage buildings of Collins Street, the Block Arcade, the Immigration Museum and Cooks’ Cottage.

For alternative outdoor spaces, try the Royal Botanic Gardens, Albert Park and Flagstaff Gardens.