Annulus Billabong is an important part of the Yarra, Birrarung floodplain. The Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung people have connections to and hold ancient knowledge of the land and water here. It’s our greatest backyard and we invite you to join us to walk and learn more about this special place.

Billabongs are important cultural, ecological and liveability features in our landscape and those along the Yarra River are generally former paths of the river. Many of Melbourne's billabongs are now more frequently dry due to lower river flows. With the changes to their water flow, the ecosystem are not able to thrive.

That’s why, each year we pump environmental water from the Yarra River into the billabong bringing life back to the billabong.

Melbourne Water are working together with Wurundjeri Woi wurrung Cultural Heritage Aboriginal Corporation, Parks Victoria, Victorian Environmental Water Holder and Banyule City Council to investigate how we can improve the health of the billabong that is essential to our native wildlife and our way of life today, tomorrow and for generations to come.

How to get there

Please meet at the Yarra Flats Park Carpark approximately 10 mins prior to the event start time (10am). You will be met by a member of the Melbourne Water team and we will begin our walk from here. The carpark is accessed via the Yarra Flats entry road, off The Boulevard, Ivanhoe East. Please note that roads nearby are currently impacted by significant roadworks, we recommend checking on conditions ahead of time. Google maps.

Accessibility: This event is not wheelchair or pram friendly.

About Riverfest

This event is part of the 2024 Birrarung Riverfest. Celebrate our river at one of 30+ events being hosted over three weeks from 1- 22 September. Whether you enjoy riverside walks, cleanups or paddling adventures, there's something for everyone at Riverfest. Riverfest is presented by the Yarra Riverkeeper Association. Check out the full Riverfest program here.

Acknowledgement of Country

The Yarra Riverkeeper Association acknowledges that the lands and waterways of the Yarra, Birrarung catchment, are the unceded territories of the Wurundjeri Woi-Wurrung and Bunurong peoples. We pay respect to Traditional Owners, who have, and continue, to care for Country. We acknowledge that the river now called Yarra has always been known as the Birrarung by its custodians.

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