Reimagining Birrarung - embark on a journey with Birrarung (Yarra River) and engage with the Burndap Birrarung Burndap Umarkoo (woi wurrung)- What's good for the Yarra is good for all (Yarra River Strategic Plan) 2022- 2032.

Slip away from the northern roads of the city and into a space shaped by the rhythms of the more-than-human world. Yarra Bend Park — Melbourne’s largest area of natural bushland — is a sanctuary for diverse birdlife, marsupials, reptiles, and mammals. Most strikingly, it is home to a large colony of Grey-headed Flying-foxes, with numbers ranging from 10,000 to 30,000 throughout the year. Paddle beneath them as they roost by day, take to the skies at sunset, or return with the first light of morning.

This immersive experience will take you on a journey along the Birrarung, engaging with the river as a living system. We aim to leave it better than we found it and foster a shared responsibility for its future.

This day adventure includes an indulgent nature basket lunch is provided by our partner Seed to Serve.

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About

What's included

Activities and certified guides
Paddling: introduction to collaborating with the river
All paddling and activity equipment provided
Saftey gear
Rubbish collection equipment or other seasonally appropriate River Care activity

Permits and insurances
20mill$ Public Liability insurance
Licenced tour operator

Private group
Your booking is for a private group. We will focus on your developing awarness and health in Relation with the Birrarung.

Regenerative experience
Regeneration means to restore, renew, and heal. Nature, by design, is regenerative—so why not follow her lead? Regenerative Tourism emphasizes working in harmony with nature, learning from her systems, and co-evolving with the ecosystems we are part of. This form of tourism is developed collaboratively with local communities and puts the natural world at the heart of its design. Come and relearn your innate connection to nature.

Duration 2 hours.

Conservation donation
Funds go to the Yarra River Keeper Association

Lunch included (see below)

Getting There

Food and Accommodation

Up The Creek is delighted to partner with Seed to Serve.

Their vision is to lead the movement toward a regenerative, zero-waste food system that nourishes communities, strengthens health, and sustains the planet for future generations. Sustainably crafted, plant-forward, thoughtfully measured, and nourishingly delicious. Seed to Serve create conscious catering experiences that bring people together over great food.

Featuring seasonal, locally grown, plant-based ingredients and sustainable practices that make a difference.

A savoury-sweet pairing that satisfies. Start with our signature savoury bite, share a salad, then end on a high note with handcrafted plant-based desserts.

What to bring

Gallery

Itinerary

Join us for a 6hrs regenerative canoe experience and let your team get closer to nature

Our Intention is to curate programs for connection, as such We invite you to jump down the rabbit hole with us and embark on a collaborative adventure with the Birrarung/ Yarra.

Meet us on the Birrarung for conversation and unfolding adventure. We aim to collaborate with you blending storytelling, imagination and tangible action. Up the creek experiences run with wonder and conversation. Our unguides will meet your curiosities, craft actions and awareness that will open doors for developing these curiosities into long-lived memories and awareness in relation with the river.

Location

Things to keep in mind

Cancellation Policy

The following Refund Policy applies to all events and courses conducted by Up The Creek Melbourne:

If you are unable to attend your course on the day you have booked we will endeavor to reschedule you to a later time with no penalty fee, given sufficient notice.
Refunds will only be granted for medical reasons and must be accompanied by a doctor’s certificate.
A $10 administration fee will be deducted from any refund.
All requests must be submitted here along with doctor’s certificate

Prior to 14 days before the course refunds will be full (less $10 administration fee).
Between 7-14 days of the course a cancellation fee of 25% will be deducted from the refund.
Within 7 days of the course no refund will be issued as staffing is still requiring to be remunerated unless sufficient medical documentation is supplied.

FAQ

What can we see here

Yarra Bend Park — Melbourne’s largest area of natural bushland — is a sanctuary for diverse birdlife, marsupials, reptiles, and mammals. Most strikingly, it is home to a large colony of Grey-headed Flying-foxes, with numbers ranging from 10,000 to 30,000 throughout the year. Paddle beneath them as they roost by day, take to the skies at sunset, or return with the first light of morning.

Is there a guide

Yes, a qualified guide will always be there to ensure the safety of your team.

Do I need prior experience

No prior experience is required. Qualified instructors will lead the canoe activity and all safety equipment provided.

What can I expect

Up the Creek fosters collaborations with the more-than-human-world, as well as each other and ourselves. We aim to create space for this exploration. Although we have influence - these forces (wind speed, a cute family of ducks to look at, traffic) are sometimes beyond our control. Part of the journey is surrendering to this and coming to terms with our human selves.