Plan for pop-up hotels, attractions on Yarra River

Floating pop-up hotels, recre­ation­al attractions and performance spaces could join water bars under a plan to reinvigorate the Yarra River in Melbourne’s CBD.

New plans for Melbourne's Yarra river are getting underway to have more bars and entertainment on the river itself. Picture: Alex Coppel

Floating pop-up hotels, recre­ation­al attractions and performance spaces could join water bars under a plan to reinvigorate the Yarra River in the CBD.

Parks Victoria has put out the call for ideas to activate the Yarra and maximise the river’s potential for local and international tourism.

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Pop-up bar and cafe Arbory Afloat already operates near Flinders St Station, but expressions of interest are being sought for floating concepts at two other prime spots.

One is at Southbank next to Evan Walker Bridge and the other at Sandridge Wharf, also on the south side of the river, near Sandridge Bridge. The Sandridge spot has a maximum licence area of 60m by 10m on a concrete landing, while the Southbank landing has a potential licence area of up to 30m by 10m.

Arbory Afloat is a summer fixture on the Yarra River. Picture: Alex Coppel

New plans for Melbourne's Yarra river are getting underway to have more bars and entertainment on the river itself. Arbory Afloat. Picture: Alex Coppel

“An opportunity is open for floating recreational activities, pop-up-style accommodation packages, performance spaces, on-water food and beverage offerings or interpretative services,” said Parks Victoria’s Yarra River Activation document.

The organisation’s chief operating officer, Simon Talbot, said the Yarra was a central feature of one of the world’s most liveable cities.

“We’re seeking proposals that will bring high-quality experiences to the Yarra River over a number of years, complementing existing river users while creating opportunities for new and innovative activities to enhance the broader visitor experience,” Mr Talbot said.

“These expressions of interest follow a similar process last summer where we successfully trialled two on-water food and beverage offers — Supafish and Arbory Afloat.

“These spots have been popular for people to enjoy the on-river experience over the summer months.”

Temporary bar Supafish also popped up on the river last summer.

Lord Mayor Sally Capp said it was great to see creative initiatives to bring “our beloved Yarra” to life.

“Our river deserves to be celebrated, and I’m excited to see what new and different ideas to activate the Yarra may come to fruition from this process,” she said.

Arbory Afloat, which is operated by the adjacent Arbory Bar and Eatery, owned by HQ Group, is located at Flinders Landing, with a maximum licence area of 70m by 12m.

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HQ Group marketing manager Daniel Manly said the organisation strived to deliver an innovative world-class hospitality experience.

“We have proudly operated Arbory Afloat for three seasons and hope that the experiences delivered heighten the awareness of the Yarra River, our precinct, its beauty and also its environmental challenges,” he said.

The expressions of interest are open for application until February 1, 2019, at parks.vic.gov.au/eoi

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