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Spectators gathered along the banks of the Yarra River on March 8 to watch the Birdman Rally, a special competition held as part of the Moomba Festival.
The sun shone on the Yarra River as an elephant-shaped aircraft stood on the Birrarung platform. Crowds on both sides of the river waited expectantly for the competition to begin at 11 am.
The Birdman Rally was one of the events at the Moomba Festival. Participants wore unique costumes and used their inventive homemade aircraft to leap into the Yarra River. The goal of the competition was to raise money for charity.
According to information from the City of Melbourne website, 13 contestants took part in the 2026 Birdman Rally, including Sammy J (Moomba Monarch), Ann Hansen (The Very Grumpy Caterpillar), and Charles (Pigs Can Fly).
Alexia Lebrun, who watched the Birdman Rally from the north bank, said it was her first time attending the Moomba Festival and that she enjoyed the experience.
“It is really nice. There are a lot of people and everyone is in a good mood. Everybody is smiling,” she said.
The Yarra River is an iconic waterway in Victoria. It begins in the Yarra Ranges and flows through Manningham and Melbourne before reaching Port Phillip.
Every year, many events are held along both sides of the river. The 2026 Moomba Festival ran from March 3 to March 9 along the Yarra River in the Melbourne area. Besides watching the Birdman Rally, visitors could attend the Moomba Carnival, watch the Moomba Parade, and enjoy nightly fireworks.
As the last contestant leaped into the water, the crowd’s laughter echoed across the Yarra River, bringing a fitting end to this year’s charity event.
