What Maribyrnong River parks can I visit in Melbourne?
The Maribyrnong River flows through north-west Melbourne. Highlights on the route include Brimbank Park, the Canning Reserve, the Avondale Heights Parklands, Fairbairn Park and the Flemington Racecourse.
Melbourne’s main river is the Yarra. The Yarra River forms the natural southern boundary of Melbourne CBD before flowing into Port Phillip Bay at Port Melbourne. But it’s not the only river in the Victorian capital.
The Maribyrnong River doesn’t get nearly as much attention as the Yarra. It doesn’t get trams and shops named after it. But it does have some enjoyable parks and green spaces along its path.
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.
How long is the Maribyrnong River?
The Maribyrnong River is 40km long, with its headwaters in the Macedon Ranges to the north of Melbourne. The Maribyrnong officially starts at the confluence of Deep Creek and Jacksons Creek. That’s just north of the Keilor Public Golf Course near Taylors Lakes, east of the Organ Pipes National Park and west of Melbourne Airport.
The Maribyrnong River very quickly enters Melbourne’s northern suburbs, passing the eastern edge of Keilor before becoming the centrepiece of Brimbank Park in Keilor East. This is a great spot for fishing and birdwatching.
👇 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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Maribyrnong River parks
Brimbank Park is the biggest park on the path of the river, although there are more downstream. These include the Thompson Reserve, Cranwell Park, Grimes Flat and the Canning Reserve.
Further along the river’s course come the Tea Gardens Reserve, Avondale Heights Parklands, Lily Reserve and Afton Street Conservation Reserve.
Aberfeldy Park, Fairbairn Park, Pipemakers Park all come before the biggest attraction on the Maribyrnong River – the Flemington Racecourse. This is where Australia’s biggest horse race – the Melbourne Cup – is held in November each year.
Maribyrnong River neighbourhoods: Footscray and Coode Island
From here, the Maribyrnong has just a short journey around the edge of the Footscray neighbourhood before entering the Yarra River at Coode Island.
The individual parks of the Maribyrnong River are perfectly enjoyable, but the best way to enjoy the river is along the Maribyrnong River Trail.
The Maribyrnong River Trail follows the river for most of its course. Walking along it is a great way to experience some of the most scenic parts of Melbourne.
More Melbourne attractions
Karkarook Park in Heatherton.
Helicopter flights from Moorabbin Airport.
Food shopping at Prahran Market.
Barefoot bowling in Flagstaff Gardens.
Swimming at Sandringham Beach.