HERRING ISLAND
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located in the Yarra River, 4 kilometers upstream from the Melbourne central business district.
The Island contains indigenous vegetation, and provides important habitat for native fauna, particularly birds. Such areas are rare in the inner suburbs, and are a valuable ecological resource. Herring Island is also an important recreational resource which provides opportunities for nature study, passive recreation and adventure play.
Herring Island is little known to the people of Melbourne despite its prominent position in the Yarra River. For years, the Island had been used as a depository for silt dredged from the Yarra River and has experienced periods of neglect. This has left a legacy of land degradation, particularly soil salting, tree dieback, and weed invasion.
The Friends group is working with Parks Victoria to restore the Island. There is a unique opportunity to become involved in this project, as new members and associates are welcome.
.....to form an island.
1934
Yarra River flood level reached the height of the current freeway deck.
1930 - 76

Levee banks formed and silt dumped over 'Como Island'
1950 - 60
Scouts occupy the island. In 1952, the island is renamed "Herring Island" after Sir Edmund Herring.
1970
Scouts leave Island.
1997
Herring Island is the site of Melbourne Festival's "Environmental Sculpture" Park.
VIEW THIS SITE WITH A MENU BAR
About Herring Island |
Getting to and What's on |
Island Map |
Artworks |
Plants |
Birds |
Sir Edmund Herring |
6 seasons |
Other Sculpture Parks
To join the Friends |
Annual Reports |
Planting Days |
Our other Friends
or see our videos - "Herring Island Halfway" and "Herring Island Update"
available from the libraries of the Cities of Yarra, Stonnington or Melbourne.
Herring Island homepages written in a Text Editor by Stanley Barker
and viewable in almost any browser, new or old!