Main Yarra Trail (Melbourne)
The 40km Main Yarra Trail starts in the Docklands precinct and winds its way north east through Templestowe, connects with the Diamond Creek Trail to Eltham and then the Mullum Mullum Creek Trail to Ringwood. The initial section is part of the Capital City Trail.
The shared use trail follows the Yarra River fairly closely as it winds its way for 40km through the suburbs. It also passes by or comes close to many attractions including Polly Woodside, Southbank, the MCG, Royal Botanic Gardens, Herring Island Sculpture Park, Abbotsford Convent arts precinct, Collingwood Children's Farm, Studley Park Boathouse, Heide Museum of Modern Art and Mia Mia Gallery.
The section from the end of Gardiners Creek trail in Richmond into the city is very popular with people commuting into the city for work by bike. If you are riding the trail for recreational purposes, it is best to avoid the peak periods for city cyclers which is before 9am and between 4 and 6pm on weekdays. Away from the central city area there are still quite a few riders but less hectic.
The trail which is easy riding has a mixture of surfaces including concrete, bitumen, gravel and boardwalk.
Main Yarra Trail Map from RideOn
A route description from RideOn is:
There is no clearly defined start point for the trail but Webb Bridge, a cycling and pedestrian bridge built to resemble a Koori eel trap, in the Docklands is a decent place to start if you want to start in the central city. The trail heads east from here on both sides of the river. Riding along the southern bank is generally preferred because it's a lot wider than the path on the northern side and less congested.
After passing in front of the boat sheds and underneath Swan Street Bridge, cross back over to the northern side of the river via Morrell bridge at the end of Anderson Street and the edge of the Botanic Gardens, Still heading east, the path is on floating pontoons next to the Monash Freeway. There's a bouldering wall built onto the freeway supports. Stop and admore the excellent views back towards the city and the Botanical Gardens.
At Walmer Street, the path zig-zags up on some wooden scaffolding before crossing over the Yarra at the Walmer Street Bridge. This bridge is quite narrow so you may have to walk your bike if pedestrians or other riders are about. There's a very steep but mercifully short climb just over the bridge but then the trail turns left and enters Yarra Bend Park.
This park is the largest area of native bush in the inner city. It is home to many native plant and animal species and it's hard to believe that you're so close to the heart of Melbourne.
Soon you will cross over another bridge at Gipps Street in Abbotsford. Here there is a break in the path and you must walk your bike down three or four flights of steps to re-join the path at river level.
You then pass by the former Abbotsford Convent, which is now a renowned arts and cultural precinct. Many people stop off for a drink and snack at the Convent Bakery.
A little further along is the Collingwood Children's Farm. This is a working farm only five kilometres from the city, established in 1979 to provide a taste of rural life to city folk. There is a popular cafe on site and once a month there is a farmers' market.
Dight's Falls is the site of a weir and Melbourne's first water mill built in the 1840s. The remnants of the mill are still there but the weir has been upgraded to incorporate a new fish ladder to allow fish to migrate up stream. Cross the narrow bridge over Merri Creek at Dight's Falls, turn left immediately afterwards and ride up the hill towards the Studley Park Boathouse. This is another good place for a break as there are picnic tables, toilets and the restaurant and tea rooms at the boathouse.
Continue on the trail by crossing over the pipeline bridge and rising up the steep hill to Yarra Boulevard. This is quite a steep climb and you will probably want to stop for a breather at the top to admire the views back over towards the city skyline.
Follow the path adjacent to Yarra Boulevard down to the junction with Chandler Highway. There are more steps to negotiate here but many people choose to ride on the road for a short distance, crossing the highway at the pedestrian lights and re-joining the path by the Guide Dogs Centre.
There is another longish climb as the trail runs parallel to the Eastern Freeway. The trail surface is rough and uneven here, sections are gradually being replaced.
Leaving the freeway, ride through some native forest then make a left turn over a footbridge just before the Burke Road underpass. The path soon turns to gravel as you enter Yarra Flats Park. This area was cleared for farming at the time of white settlement. It is now being revegetated with native flora and is one of the most attractive sections of the trail.
There is a short but very steep winding climb at the Banksia Road underpass. It is very difficult to negotiate and many people have to walk. The surface of the trail is quite rough here as it passes in front of The Greenery nursery and heads into Banksia Park. Turn right immediately after crossing a small footbridge, there is a small Main Yarra Trail sign here but it is very easy to miss. Just stay as close to the river as you can.
Banyule Flats Reserve is an important wetland very popular with bird-watchers. There are good views of the birdlife from High Hill which is a small rise in the trail.
You will soon enter Westerfolds Park near the end of the trail. Navigation can be confusing but if you stay as close to the river as you can, you can't go wrong. Alternatively, you may wish to visit Mia Mia Gallery and Cafe at the high point in the park - just head uphill and you will find it.
The Main Yarra Trail finishes a couple of kilometres after Westerfolds Park where it meets up with the Mullum Mullum Creek Trail which will, one day, connect with the Eastlink Trail. Many people cross over the Yarra again just after the Fitzsimmons Road underpass and head north on to the Diamond Creek Trail. This takes you to the suburb of Eltham 3 or 4 kilometres away, where you can catch a train on the metropolitan network.
Web Links
→ Main Yarra Trail (RideOn)
