On the latest instalment of Great Australian Walks, Melbourne’s Main Yarra Trail is the focal point, as hosted by Julia Zemiro.
Airing on SBS, this series is a commendable new entrant to the network’s documentary offerings.
Melbourne, frequently labelled as Australia’s cultural nexus, plays host to over five million residents. While many perceive the city’s core as its sports arenas or the intricate inner-city laneways, a significant count opine that the real pulse of the city is the Yarra River. This emblematic stream not only demarcates the societal strata but its adjacent pathways also encompass the metropolis’s essential cultural symbols, presenting a rare vantage point of the city’s panorama.
Commencing her journey at a previously familiar abode, Julia Zemiro treads a notable 14.5km stretch of the Main Yarra Trail. Her expedition is an eclectic mix of experiences. She observes the early risers in their fitness routines, drops by an amphitheatre revamped by the city’s Greek denizens, and interacts with the Yarra Yabbies, a tenacious lot of swimmers. Additionally, she acquaints herself with the river’s inherent importance to the First Nations individuals and indulges in the humour quotient of Melbourne before culminating her trek by voyaging into the city via the aquatic route.
“Brought to you by SBS, the series is a fresh addition to their documentary slate.” The show doesn’t merely provide picturesque sights but delves into Australia’s distinctive charm. Encompassing treks in New South Wales, Victoria, ACT, and Tasmania, the series spans from the coastal precincts of Byron Bay and Kiama to the peaks of Tasmania’s Mount Wellington.
Under Julia Zemiro’s evocative storytelling, the programme emerges as more than a visual delight. It becomes an odyssey through Australia’s essence.
