Yarra Park

Yarra Park and Melbourne sporting history

Home to the Melbourne Cricket Ground and Punt Road Oval, Yarra Park has been closely connected with Melbourne sport since the 1850s.

The parkland was established in 1856 and was once known as Richmond Paddock, an area also used for grazing police horses. The earliest recorded matches of Australian rules football were played at Richmond Paddock in 1858, before the sport moved increasingly onto enclosed cricket grounds during the following decades.

Today, avenues of mature trees and walking paths criss-cross the park around the MCG, creating pedestrian connections between East Melbourne, Richmond and the neighbouring Melbourne and Olympic Parks precinct.

The park was added to the Victorian Heritage Register in 2010, recognising its landscape, cultural and sporting significance.

Sporting statues and Wurundjeri heritage

Visitors walking around the MCG will encounter 17 sculptures commemorating prominent Australian sportspeople. Among them are Australian football greats Ron Barassi and Dick Reynolds, cricketers Sir Donald Bradman and Keith Miller, and Olympic champions Betty Cuthbert and Shirley Strickland. A statue of Richmond legend Jack Dyer stands at Punt Road Oval.

Yarra Park also preserves evidence of a much older history. A scarred eucalyptus bears the mark left when Aboriginal people harvested bark for a canoe, providing a visible connection to the Wurundjeri people of the Kulin Nation and their long association with the area.

That cultural heritage remains part of planning for the park. The Melbourne Cricket Club’s current Yarra Park Master Plan was developed with input from organisations including the Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung Cultural Heritage Aboriginal Corporation and sets a framework for the park’s future management and renewal.

Sustainability is another priority. An underground water recycling facility supplies irrigation water, helping maintain Yarra Park’s grass and significant tree population.

Visiting Yarra Park

Bordered by two railway lines and Richmond and Jolimont railway stations.

Yarra Park lies between Wellington Parade, Punt Road and the railway corridor beside Barassi Way, immediately surrounding the MCG. Richmond Station sits near its south-eastern edge, while Jolimont Station is north of the ground.

Public transport and walking are generally the simplest ways to reach the park, particularly when major events are being held at the MCG. Jolimont Station is about a five-minute walk through Yarra Park to the stadium, while Richmond Station provides another convenient approach.

From central Melbourne, pedestrians can cross the 525-metre William Barak Bridge, which provides a direct walking connection towards the MCG and Yarra Park. Footbridges across the railway corridor also connect the park with Melbourne and Olympic Parks and routes towards the Yarra River.

Vehicle access and parking arrangements can change for major events. Limited parking on Yarra Park’s grassed areas may operate on selected event days, so visitors should check current MCG transport and parking information before travelling.

Where & Getting There

Public transport and walking is advised.

--> Train - Catch train to either Richmond or Jolimont Stations + short walk
--> Car - When available (closed 2026) parking* costs $20 per vehicle (eftpos only) accessed via 7 gates around the park. Only Australian Disability Parking (ADP) permit holders.
--> Bus - refer local bus web sites
--> Bicycle - parking available around park
--> Taxi - ask driver

Walking - travel to CBD and walk via
--> William Barak Bridge from Birrarung Marr (near Fed Square) over Batman Avenue the Jolimont Railway corridor and Barassi Way before descending into Yarra Park.
--> Rod Laver Arena footbridge links the park and Rod Laver Arena.
--> John Cain Arena footbridge runs parallel to the Rod Laver Arena footbridge extending from the MCG's Gate 6 concourse over the railway corridor and descending into the Olympic Park precinct on Swan Street.

❊ What's On ❊

➼ AFL Footy Fest 2026

❊ Key Information ❊

Where

Yarra Park Jolimont Victoria 3002 Map

✆ Venue: 9657 8888

Official Links

en.wikipedia.org

Nearby Hotels

Hotel Finder

❊ Also See.. ❊

➼ Domain Parklands

➼ East Melbourne 3002

➼ Jolimont 3002

➼ La Trobe's Arrival | 170th Anniversary

➼ Melbourne Cricket Ground

➼ Melbourne Football Club | Demons

➼ Richmond Football Club | Tigers

➼ Swinburne Centre | Punt Road Oval

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Tags: Yarra Park, Yarra Park Melbourne, Melbourne Cricket Ground, MCG, Punt Road Oval, Melbourne sports precinct, Richmond Paddock, Wurundjeri heritage, sporting statues Melbourne, Melbourne parks

Yarra Park is more than the green space surrounding the Melbourne Cricket Ground. This 35-hectare heritage-listed park sits at the heart of Melbourne’s sports and entertainment precinct, combining sporting history, significant Wurundjeri cultural heritage, tree-lined walking routes and some of the city’s most recognisable sporting landmarks. Yarra Park and Melbourne sporting history Home to the Melbourne Cricket Ground and Punt Road Oval, Yarra Park has been closely connected with Melbourne sport since the 1850s. The parkland was established in 1856 and was once known as Richmond Paddock, an area also used for grazing police horses. The earliest recorded matches of Australian rules football were played at Richmond Paddock in 1858, before the sport moved increasingly onto enclosed cricket grounds during the following decades. Today, avenues of mature trees and walking paths criss-cross the park around the MCG, creating pedestrian connections between East Melbourne, Richmond and the neighbouring Melbourne and Olympic Parks precinct. The park was added to the Victorian Heritage Register in 2010, recognising its landscape, cultural and sporting significance. Sporting statues and Wurundjeri heritage Visitors walking around the MCG will encounter 17 sculptures commemorating prominent Australian sportspeople. Among them are Australian football greats Ron Barassi and Dick Reynolds, cricketers Sir Donald Bradman and Keith Miller, and Olympic champions Betty Cuthbert and Shirley Strickland. A statue of Richmond legend Jack Dyer stands at Punt Road Oval. Yarra Park also preserves evidence of a much older history. A scarred eucalyptus bears the mark left when Aboriginal people harvested bark for a canoe, providing a visible connection to the Wurundjeri people of the Kulin Nation and their long association with the area. That cultural heritage remains part of planning for the park. The Melbourne Cricket Club’s current Yarra Park Master Plan was developed with input from organisations including the Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung Cultural Heritage Aboriginal Corporation and sets a framework for the park’s future management and renewal. Sustainability is another priority. An underground water recycling facility supplies irrigation water, helping maintain Yarra Park’s grass and significant tree population. Visiting Yarra Park Bordered by two railway lines and Richmond and Jolimont railway stations. Yarra Park lies between Wellington Parade, Punt Road and the railway corridor beside Barassi Way, immediately surrounding the MCG. Richmond Station sits near its south-eastern edge, while Jolimont Station is north of the ground. Public transport and walking are generally the simplest ways to reach the park, particularly when major events are being held at the MCG. Jolimont Station is about a five-minute walk through Yarra Park to the stadium, while Richmond Station provides another convenient approach. From central Melbourne, pedestrians can cross the 525-metre William Barak Bridge, which provides a direct walking connection towards the MCG and Yarra Park. Footbridges across the railway corridor also connect the park with Melbourne and Olympic Parks and routes towards the Yarra River. Vehicle access and parking arrangements can change for major events. Limited parking on Yarra Park’s grassed areas may operate on selected event days, so visitors should check current MCG transport and parking information before travelling. Where & Getting There Public transport and walking is advised. --> Train - Catch train to either Richmond or Jolimont Stations + short walk --> Car - When available (closed 2026) parking* costs $20 per vehicle (eftpos only) accessed via 7 gates around the park. Only Australian Disability Parking (ADP) permit holders. --> Bus - refer local bus web sites --> Bicycle - parking available around park --> Taxi - ask driver Walking - travel to CBD and walk via --> William Barak Bridge from Birrarung Marr (near Fed Square) over Batman Avenue the Jolimont Railway corridor and Barassi Way before descending into Yarra Park. --> Rod Laver Arena footbridge links the park and Rod Laver Arena. --> John Cain Arena footbridge runs parallel to the Rod Laver Arena footbridge extending from the MCG's Gate 6 concourse over the railway corridor and descending into the Olympic Park precinct on Swan Street.