Upper Yarra Museum & Upper Yarra Valley Historical Society

UPPER YARRA MUSEUM
& the Upper Yarra Valley Historical Society

Visit the fascinating museum that is housed in the old railway station at Yarra Junction.

We are open every Sunday and most public holidays from 1.30pm ~ 5.00pm.

Entry fees are: adults $5, children (4-14yrs) $1, under 4yrs free, concession & seniors $3, family $10

A great selection of books and souvenirs are also available for purchase at the museum.

Upper Yarra Museum Upper Yarra Museum - Washing & Homeware
Upper Yarra Museum - Radios Upper Yarra Museum - Old Car

A quick history of the Upper Yarra Museum
Yarra Junction historically was the rail "junction" where the 36-inch gauge track of the Powelltown timber tramway met the standard gauge of the main Victorian Railway.

When the railway line to Warburton was opened in 1901 a small shed-like station was provided at Yarra Junction. In 1914, when an island platform was required at Lilydale, a new station was erected there. It was intended to move the old Lilydale station to Yarra Glen but this Victorian Railway's plan was disrupted when the original Yarra Glen station was accidentally burned down in 1914. It became a matter of urgency to provide another station at Yarra Glen but, as the new Lilydale station was not yet completed, the old station could not be transferred. As a result, a completely new building was constructed at Yarra Glen.

When the new Lilydale station was finally completed later in 1914, the Victorian railways cast their eyes around for another suitable place to locate the old building. Yarra Junction was chosen as traffic through that station was increasing dramatically with the opening of the Powelltown tramway.

Shortly after the last train on the Lilydale to Warburton line ran on August the 1^st 1965, the recently formed Upper Yarra Historical Society was given access to the Yarra Junction Station for use as the Upper Yarra Museum. Other than displaying a large part of the collection of the Upper Yarra Historical Society, the museum is also the home of the annual "Vintage Engine Crank-Up", which is held in late March (or early April) and is always a great day out.

Upper Yarra Museum Upper Yarra Museum Vintage Engine Crankup

Photos above are from the 2008 Vintage Engine Crank-up which was held on the 5^th and 6^th of April 2008.

If you want to support the Upper Yarra Valley Historical Society,and the Upper Yarra Museum,
membership is only $10 per year.

Meetings of the Upper Yarra Historical Society are held at the Upper Yarra Museum, in
Yarra Junction, on the last Thursday of every month and start at 8pm.

Upper Yarra Museum Location Map