April 29 2017News
The Best Walking Tracks to hit this weekend.
Before the weather descends into full blown winter, (even though after this week it already feels like it has), it’s time to spend your weekends exploring Melbourne. Pull on your active wear and some comfortable sneakers, grab the picnic lunch and a bounty of snacks and get ready to explore Melbourne like you’ve probably never seen it before.
Explore these six walking trails which extend from inner city Melbourne to the ‘burbs’, allowing you to tailor your own course;complete the full track or pit stop along the way, the choice is yours.You will not only get to see parts of Melbourne you’ve never seen before but it’s free.
Capital City Trail
The capital City Trail is circular route in which starts and ends in Southbank. It’s one of our favourite trails because it takes you past so many Melbourne monuments and highlights that usually you pass by without even noticing. It is 29km approximately from start to end, however with plenty of café, restaurants and water stops along the way this is an easy trail for anyone to tackle. If walking seems too time consuming, cycling the route only takes about 4 hours and with a predominantly flat route it’s easy for even the most novice of cyclists.
Main Yarra Trail
This is a huge 35km track that twists through bushland and takes you through amazing parks, past billabongs and inner city skyscrapers. Beginning in Abbotsford at Yarra Bend Park this track winds around the riverside of Southbank past all the gorgeous properties of Kew with their private piers along the Yarra river, and ends in Eltham a ‘mere’ 35km later. While this trail is fairly moderate in difficulty, it isn’t for the faint hearted. Tackling 35km is not a small feet. However this trail is home to five smaller trails beginning in Yarra Bend Park. Check out the next two below for some easier options.
Merri Creek Trail
This trail begins in beautiful Yarra Bend Park at Dight falls, where the Yarra river meets the Merri creek in Abbotsford, and winds its way through the northern suburbs towards the western ring road trail ending in Reservoir. It connects to multiple other trails including Moonee Ponds creek trail, Maribyrnong river trail and Brimbank Park. It is approximately 21km in distance and is an easy walking trail to tackle. We don’t suggest riding this trail, as parts are steep and uneven for bikes to navigate.
Dight Falls Loop Trail
Also located in Yarra Bend Park this trail starts on the north side of Kane’s footbridge and loops around the park for 4.5 km passing the former site of the lunatic asylum, and Dight falls. This walking track will take you 1.5 hours to complete and is perfect for families with small children and prams.This one is definitely for everyone, so no excused here.
The Bay Trail
A beautiful coastal trail that is perfect for a sunny weekend stroll. The 6km path starts at St Kilda pier and ends in Bay Street, Brighton. With a completely flat path this track is perfect for a leisurely stroll along the beautiful beaches of Melbourne. Bring the bikes, bring the kids, the strollers and friends a plenty because this one is sure to be a winner for everyone.
1000 Steps Kokoda Trail
Located in the beautiful Dandenong ranges, this 3km trail is definitely not for the faint hearted, this 1000 step walk although only a short distance is certain to bring a burn to those legs and gluts. Originally made out of tree trunks, the 1000 steps or Kokoda Trail is hard, so leave the bikes, prams, and children at home and grab your support team and get going. Make sure to bring plenty of water because even on the coldest of days you are sure to work up a sweat.
Don’t let the difficulty make you shy away, this trail isn’t a race and you can take as long as you like to tackle the challenge. And regardless, the scenery is absolutely stunning and will provide constant amazement to distract you.