dights falls By andisidea Jun 3, 1804 Charles Grimes first european to explore the yarra river Charles Grimes, Surveyor General of New South Wales, is believed to be the first European to explore the Yarra River. Dec 1, 1836 first overlanders John Gardiner, Joseph Hawdon and Captain John Hepburn were the first overlander. Jan 1, 1840 artificale weir built date unkown