History Mystery Monday: What are the Henley Terraces?

Have you ever strolled along the Maribyrnong River in Moonee Ponds and wondered about the steep, bluestone and grass terraces that line the river by Maribyrnong Park? It’s certainly a nice spot to sit and watch the river, but why were they built and what were they used for?

Henley Terraces


The terraces have been known by various names, including the Henley on Maribyrnong Terraces, and the Henley Grandstand. But what was this ‘Henley’? 

The Henley on Maribyrnong was an annual water carnival run by the Essendon River League from 1912, to raise funds for their work protecting, improving and beautifying the Saltwater (now Maribyrnong) River. The carnival was modelled on the popularity of a similar carnival- the Henley on Yarra- and included activities such as rowing, swimming, novelty events and fairground attractions. The first Henley on Maribyrnong drew a crowd of 20,000 – 30,000 spectators! It was quite an event on the social calander for local residents.

And these spectators would need somewhere to watch the events from- this is where the Terraces come into the story. Originally this area of riverbank was mainly sandstone cliffs, which were becoming increasingly eroded and dangerous. The land by the river had been privately owned, but was purchased by Essendon Council in 1906. The Essendon River League had argued for some time that the cliffs were ‘dangerous and unsightly’, and in an apparent joint effort by the council and the Melbourne and Metropolitan Board of Works, the cliff was replaced by an open-air grandstand. Interestingly, this portion of the river was straightened at the same time, to provide a straight mile of river for racing! 

The grandstand featured 7 bluestone terraces, and was completed in time for the 1932 carnival, and spectators were able to finally enjoy an uninterrupted view of the events from the grandstand.

Henley on Maribyrnong, 1925 - before the terraces were constructed. Photograph courtesy of State Library Victoria.



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