Riverfest returns bigger than ever

A three-week celebration of the Birrarung-Yarra River will kick off in September with thousands expected to join in the festivities.

From Westgate Park to Warburton east of Melbourne, the Birrarung Riverfest will include more than 30 community-led events and activities for all ages, including platypus spotting, art exhibitions, cultural walks, canoe clean ups and jazz at Ponyfish Island.

“Whether you like arts and music, history and culture, or nature and storytelling, there really is something for everyone at Riverfest,” Yarra Riverkeeper Association president Janet Bolitho said.

“We are delighted to have more than 24 organisations and hundreds of individuals helping to host events this year.”

The Yarra Riverkeeper Association first presented Riverfest in 2023.

Event producer Carolyn Tate said the local response was overwhelming.

“I think during COVID, people found themselves reconnecting to nature and realising the river is so much more than a beautiful backdrop,” Ms Tate said.

Riverfest is a great opportunity to get in among the local community and really celebrate the Birrarung.

The festival kicks off on Father’s Day, September 1, with a Little Explorers event at Studley Park Boathouse in Kew.

Almost all events are free, with donations encouraged.

“The donations and funding from these events will help unlock capacity and resources for Yarra Riverkeeper Association to continue their essential work caring for the River,” Ms Bolitho said.

Founded in 2005, the Yarra Riverkeeper Asssociation is an independent, community-led organisation that advocates for and works to maintain and protect the Birrarung-Yarra River.

The 2024 festival is presented in partnership with Melbourne Water’s Yarra Strategic Plan collaboration and Regen Melbourne.

A full calendar of events is available online.