Correction (4 October 2026): an earlier version of this page listed places and details we could not stand behind. It has been rewritten from scratch: every place below was confirmed at two independent sources on 4 October 2026.
Free first, always. This page covers four places in and around Richmond: two parks, a council library and a Saturday market. The council lists three of them in Richmond, and Yarra Bend Park is in Fairfield.
One catch comes before the rest. Herring Island’s free punt runs in a season, so read that entry before you plan a day around it.
Every place was checked against at least two sources, mostly Yarra City Council and Parks Victoria pages plus OpenStreetMap. Each entry says whose listing a fact comes from.
The quick picks
| If you’re after | Head to | Where |
|---|---|---|
| Sculpture trail on an island | Herring Island Environmental Sculpture Park | Herring Island, Yarra River, Richmond |
| Indoor, rainy-day option | Richmond Library | 415 Church St, Richmond |
| Saturday morning produce browse | Gleadell Street Market | Gleadell Street, Richmond |
| Bushland walks and trails | Yarra Bend Park | Yarra Bend Road, Fairfield |
Herring Island Environmental Sculpture Park — Herring Island, Yarra River, Richmond VIC 3121
Parks Victoria describes Herring Island as a small 3.2ha artificial island on the Birrarung. Its page points to nine environmental sculptures along the Herring Island Sculpture Trail, plus a grassy picnic area with free electric barbecues. The crossing is the part to read twice: Parks Victoria says the free punt runs on weekends and public holidays from January until Easter.
Get there: outside the punt season you would need another way across, such as your own boat, canoe, kayak or paddleboard, so check the Parks Victoria page before you set out.
Richmond Library — 415 Church St, Richmond VIC 3121
The council says Richmond Library is on the corner of Church and Charlotte streets. Its listing mentions public Wi-Fi, computers and printer, open study spaces, a dedicated children’s area with a storypod and a local history collection. On its hours page the council lists Saturday as 10 am - 4 pm and Sunday as 2 pm - 5 pm.
Rain backup: with open study spaces and a local history collection listed by the council, this is the indoor option on the page.
Gleadell Street Market — Gleadell Street, Richmond VIC 3121
Yarra City Council operates Gleadell Street Market, and its page lists Every Saturday 7:00am to 1:00pm. The council describes seasonal fruit and vegetables, artisan breads and pastries, fresh herbs, meats and dairy products. It also says the market is plastic-free, and we found no entry fee stated on the page.
Plan it: go on a Saturday morning with a reusable bag, and check the council page for closures, which it lists as Christmas Day, New Year’s Day, Easter Saturday and Anzac Day when they fall on a market day.
Yarra Bend Park — Yarra Bend Road, Fairfield VIC 3078
Parks Victoria calls Yarra Bend Park Melbourne’s largest natural bushland park. Its page lists the Dights Falls Walk, trails for strolling or biking, and a free guided Park Walk. The council’s facility list for the park shows barbecue, car parking, picnic area, playground and public toilets.
Free first: Parks Victoria advertises a free guided Park Walk, so check its page for current details before you go.
Quick answers
Is Herring Island free to get to?
Parks Victoria says to get to the island you catch the free punt service, which runs on weekends and public holidays from January until Easter. Outside that window the punt is not on, so you would need another way across, such as your own boat, canoe, kayak or paddleboard. Check the Parks Victoria page for the current season before you plan around it.
Is there a Saturday market in Richmond?
Yes, Gleadell Street Market. Yarra City Council operates it and lists Every Saturday 7:00am to 1:00pm. The council describes fresh produce, artisan breads and pastries, and says the market is plastic-free, so bring a reusable bag.
What can I do in Richmond on a rainy day for free?
Richmond Library is the indoor pick on this page. The council lists open study spaces, a dedicated children’s area with a storypod and a local history collection, and gives Saturday hours of 10 am - 4 pm on its hours page. Check the council page for current hours before you go.
Can I take my dog to Yarra Bend Park?
Parks Victoria says visitors can bring up to 4 dogs into Yarra Bend Park and journey on-lead around much of the park, with popular off lead areas including Westfield and Deep Rock. It also notes restrictions in some areas, so read the Parks Victoria dog rules before you head out.
How we checked
We checked every place on this page against at least two independent sources on 4 October 2026: OpenStreetMap, council pages and government pages. Facilities and opening hours change, so check the official page before you go. The cover photo is from Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0), and it does not show any place on this page.
Seen something out of date? Email [email protected] with the page link and what has changed, and we will check it again.
Sources
- Herring Island Environmental Sculpture Park: openstreetmap.org/49458524, yarracity.vic.gov.au/herring-island, parks.vic.gov.au/herring-island-environmental-sculpture
- Richmond Library: openstreetmap.org/293952957, yarracity.vic.gov.au/richmond-library, yarracity.vic.gov.au/hours-and-locations
- Gleadell Street Market: openstreetmap.org/10067707826, yarracity.vic.gov.au/gleadell-street-market, yarracity.vic.gov.au/markets
- Yarra Bend Park: openstreetmap.org/9278415, yarracity.vic.gov.au/yarra-bend-park, parks.vic.gov.au/yarra-bend-park
