Upthecreek.melbourne

01/12/2024

The DIY adventure is designed to allow you to create your own relationship and story with the lifeblood of our city: the mighty Birrarung.

As a supported self-discovery journey, we'll set you up for success, teaching paddling skills and helping you plan your route together. Then when you're ready you're free to explore at your own pace, with phone support ready for any questions. Every paddler, from first-timers to weekend enthusiasts, will find something special on the river.

The Birrarung offers both peaceful moments and exciting exploration - it's ready for you to discover. Check out the 'BOOK NOW' lin in our bio to book a journey with Birrarung.

29/11/2024

The DIY adventure is designed to allow you to create your own relationship and story with the lifeblood of our city: the mighty Birrarung.

As a supported self-discovery journey, we'll set you up for success, teaching paddling skills and helping you plan your route together. Then when you're ready you're free to explore at your own pace, with phone support ready for any questions. Every paddler, from first-timers to weekend enthusiasts, will find something special on the river.

The Birrarung offers both peaceful moments and exciting exploration - it's ready for you to discover.

🚣 Discover the Birrarung at your own pace: https://zurl.co/vtiQ?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=Zoho+Social

28/11/2024

A relational approach to help us slow down and connect with the Birrarung. In this session, you will be encouraged to feel your way with the river. Feel yourself relax as you change your focus from yourself to your connection with nature. This activity is worthwhile for beginners and experienced paddlers alike.

We'll be running this session every Saturday over the summer. Head to our website to book a spot for yourself, your family, or a bunch of friends.

👉 Plan your adventure here: https://zurl.co/vtiQ

28/11/2024

Love spending time in nature but don’t want to leave the city? The Up The Creek Summer Program is your perfect way to reconnect with the outdoors, discover Melbourne’s Yarra River, and immerse yourself in unique adventures—all without going far from home.

What’s in Store?
Our program is designed for nature lovers who value the beauty of Melbourne’s local treasures. Explore our calendar and choose from:

DIY Paddling Adventures (Tues & Fri): Paddle your way through the Yarra at your own pace. Whether you're solo or bringing a friend, this is your chance to take the reins and embrace the river’s serenity.

Bats Sunset Paddle (Wed & Thurs): Watch the Yarra come alive as the sun sets and bats take to the skies. It’s a magical moment that connects you with nature’s rhythm.

Dance with Birrarung (Sat): Celebrate the cultural and ecological essence of the Yarra through stories, movement, and meaningful connection.

How It Works
We’ve made it simple to plan your experience. Visit our site to explore the activity calendar, find what inspires you, and pick the perfect day and time for your adventure.

Nature is Closer Than You Think
You don’t need to leave Melbourne to experience the joy of being outdoors. The Yarra River has so much to offer—quiet paddles, stunning sunsets, and stories that bring the landscape to life.

👉 Plan your perfect summer day now: https://zurl.co/Rwze

It’s all waiting for you, right in your backyard. 🌿🚣♂️

22/11/2024

Summer is just around the corner, and we're busy planning our program. While you're here, is there anything you'd like to see or do with us and Birrarung? (Could include climbing up trees with Luca)

20/11/2024

Meet the team

Luca

What is your personal connection to our waterways?

My connection to rivers began on the banks and water of the Murray. Spending the hot Mallee summers of my childhood, splashing around, kayaking and fishing with my family. This was a river who was already quite sick, who’s water is stolen and given to imported plants and animals, that use more water than the river can healthily provide. A living entity, soiled with top soil that should not be running.

I remain optimistic. I dream of a future where we can re-learn. And rivers like the Murray, can have custodians again, that know how intertwined their lives are. There is no doubt this will take time, come down the ancient rivers, and learn just how much time this takes.

📷

13/11/2024

Meet the team

Dana – our storyteller and river ponderer.

What is your personal connection to our waterways?

I grew up going fishing in creeks with my dad as a kid on Brayakaulung Country, in Gippsland. It was where I learned patience. I loved sitting there with my 50c bag of lollies, waiting for a bite in the afternoon sun. It was also where I learned about caring for our waterways. I remember one day we came across a heap of rubbish and oil containers that had been dumped near the creek on a farm. Dad called the EPA the next day to report it and when we visited next month, it had all been cleaned up. Reflecting now, other than his genuine care for the river, I can also see why dad wouldn’t have wanted the oil near where he fished. These things affect us all. When I move to Melbourne/Naarm just before lockdown in 2020, rivers became my connection place again. I’d sit by Darebin Creek and ponder all my thoughts. When I moved to Finland last year, they again became the place I’d go and just be; a never-ending thread of connection to myself and place.

My dream is to have all the rivers and creeks swimmable again in Naarm. To be at a point where rubbish doesn’t hang in the trees when the Merri floods, and factories are no longer leaking into Darebin creek. And maybe even a greater return of dolphins in Birrarung. A sparkling, misty, Yarra from the mountains to the sea. That’d be the best.

09/11/2024

Experience the Magic of Daybreak on the Birrarung! 🌅

Join us and witness an unforgettable sight—the early morning flying fox fly-in! 🦇✨ Paddle up the serene Yarra River with Up the Creek, guided by the knowledgeable Davita Coronel, as we observe these nocturnal creatures returning to their colony. Learn about the beautiful connection between mother and pup, and the ecological importance of the flying fox species.

📅 Daybreak Paddle: 24.11.24
📍 Meeting just before sunrise for an immersive morning on the water.
👫 No paddling experience required—bring a friend, or make new ones on the boat!
☕ Fuel up with coffee and fresh baked goods after a morning of magic on the river.

All gear provided (canoes, paddles, life jackets, dry bags). Secure your spot and start your day with a truly unique experience! Book now: https://zurl.co/bjqz

Join us for a sunrise paddle up the Birrarung (Yarra River) and learn about the native grey-headed flying fox.

08/11/2024

What caught your eye in nature this week? Let us know in the comments.

04/11/2024

Ever seen the Birrarung at dusk… surrounded by hundreds of friendly, flapping neighbors? 🦇

Join us for a sunset bat tour and get to know the river's 'night crew'!

Book your spot now, or bring the whole flock with a private group option!



https://zurl.co/pJFV

02/11/2024

𝑳𝒐𝒄𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏: 𝑾𝒖𝒓𝒖𝒏𝒅𝒋𝒆𝒓𝒊 𝑪𝒐𝒖𝒏𝒕𝒓𝒚

𝑩𝒖𝒓𝒏𝒅𝒂𝒑 𝑩𝒊𝒓𝒓𝒂𝒓𝒖𝒏𝒈 𝒃𝒖𝒓𝒏𝒅𝒂𝒑 𝒖𝒎𝒂𝒓𝒌𝒐𝒐 (𝑾𝒐𝒊-𝒘𝒖𝒓𝒓𝒖𝒏𝒈)
𝑾𝒉𝒂𝒕'𝒔 𝒈𝒐𝒐𝒅 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒀𝒂𝒓𝒓𝒂 𝒊𝒔 𝒈𝒐𝒐𝒅 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝒂𝒍𝒍.

#𝑩𝒖𝒓𝒏𝒅𝒂𝒑𝑩𝒊𝒓𝒓𝒂𝒓𝒖𝒏𝒈 #𝑰𝒏𝒅𝒊𝒈𝒆𝒏𝒐𝒖𝒔𝑳𝒂𝒏𝒅 #𝑷𝒓𝒐𝒕𝒆𝒄𝒕𝑶𝒖𝒓𝑾𝒂𝒕𝒆𝒓𝒘𝒂𝒚𝒔 #𝑨𝒃𝒐𝒓𝒊𝒈𝒊𝒏𝒂𝒍𝑯𝒆𝒓𝒊𝒕𝒂𝒈𝒆

30/10/2024

An artist’s interpretation of our walk with Wurundjeri Elder, Uncle Ian Hunter.

‘One thing I noticed was the detail in Uncle Ian’s stories. He could pick up one plant and tell so many things about it and start mapping the web of relationships that expand outward, connecting everything to each other. Each thing has its purpose. And I knew it only scratched the surface. By the end of the walk, I was brimming with aliveness and a heightened perception of place. We could walk slowly, relationship and story everywhere.

When I drew the first image off a photo I took, it was as expected, then the second became a story as I tried to sketch some of the things Uncle Ian told us about, mapping that web just a little. We don’t exist in isolation.’

Drawings and reflections

28/10/2024

A walk with Wurundjeri Elder, Uncle Ian Hunter.

We wandered along Darebin Creek as it meandered toward Birrarung, stopping at various plant species often overlooked, turning blackwood leaves into soap, and hearing more stories of place. With thanks to Uncle Ian, our perceptions and way of relating were expanded, and we were opened up to new ways of seeing and being in this place.

This walk was co-presented by and the in association with the exhibition Reimaging Birrarung: Design Concepts for 2070.

A big thank you to Uncle Ian Hunter, always sharing so generously.

As well as to for capturing the day so beautifully.

Interested in coming along? Keep your eyes peeled for more walks with Uncle Ian Hunter and Up the Creek soon.

26/10/2024

Birrarung : Design Concepts 2070. a paddle with . Allowing our curiosity to lead.

📷

25/10/2024

What would it be like to transform the golf courses along Birrarung? To rewild the space? How would the social dynamic of Naarm/Melbourne change if we could or did swim in Birrarung? To reimagine and invite a different soundscape? What is our connection to Birrarung or other rivers in the world?

These were some of the questions we pondered as we paddled up Birrarung, rugged up in September, on one of the coldest days in months. Conversations and varied experiences from many parts of the world joined and enriched the exchange. Questions remained; questions were inspired. We'd love to hear some of yours below!

Thank you and for inspiring this conversation, and all who braved the cold.

Check out our upcoming offerings if you’d like to come Up the Creek with some more ponderings in toe. We’d love to have you.

📷

22/10/2024

Reimagining Birrarung: Design Concepts 2070 with and a bunch of curious humans.'

Hail invited a full immersion as we shifted the observational exhibition experience to an immersive interaction with the natural world. Conversations and varied experiences from many parts of the world joined and enriched the exchange. Questions remained; questions were inspired.

More to come.

📷 & storytelling

03/10/2024

Wonderful to collaborate with Uncle Ian Hunter, BUPA, NGV and the community as part of Reimagining Birrarung Design concepts for 2070. More to come......

03/10/2024

Wonderful to work with Uncle Ian Hunter, NGV, BUPA, the community and the Birrarung for Reimagining Birrarung : Design Cconcepts 2070. More to come ....