2 Comments Written by Ed Servoice on April 17, 2010 – 9:00 am

In the prophetic and oft repeated words of Mattafix; ‘Big city life, my try fi get by, pressure nah ease up no matter how hard me try’. These words haunt my brain with every toot of a car or ‘ding’ of the tram. It can be a constant frustration being a city/ culture/ community and event loving kid who also adores and craves the nature he emerged from. Ah, for those halcyon childhood days; splashing around in the clean waters of New Zealand’s Hutt River, sneaking beers and cigarettes from the folks while checking out the babes on the rocks across the way. The most daring kids bombing off the top rock to impress said babes with the meeker (and unnamed) of us impressing them with our creative dam building skills.

Oh, to be down by the riverside… One with a local fauna consisting of more than swimming rats and Southbank’s corporate elite. Well, so it turns out paradise is just a quick jaunt to Fairfield away…

Just north of Fitzroy, Fairfield Boathouse is a literal Victorian oasis hidden in the heart of urban sprawl. For around 10 bucks each, up to 5 people can rent a boat and row the day away on a clean, quiet and gorgeous river for as long as they may dream. Head about 1km south along the river and you’ll hit the immense (recently relocated from the Botanical Gardens) bat colony; thousands upon thousands of bats, chatting, sleeping, flapping, occasionally getting excited and going quite batty. It’s a sight to see. Touted as Melbourne’s only remaining natural bushland, it feels as if you’re deep into the Murray somewhere, when in reality an excellent flat white (or beer) and scone is just a quick 15 min row back to base. Also one of the very few times you can  justify singing ‘On a Boat’ and really mean it, feels surprisingly gratifying.

We had a wonderful Easter Saturday enjoying the last hours of daylight savings; kicking back and just floating on a river. Joy. Chuck on your boating pants, take your loveliest friends and get there while the weather permits.

Also available for bookings, parties and functions. Though no loud music. So sadly, River Rave is off the cards…For now…