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The Best Walks in Melbourne to Crush Your Step Goal
From waterfront circuits and historic gardens to coastal paths and forest climbs, these are the best walks in Melbourne for getting out and exploring.
The best walks in Melbourne range from inner-city circuits to forest climbs. There’s the 3.8-kilometre Tan around the Royal Botanic Gardens, the historic Fitzroy Gardens in East Melbourne, Yarra Bend Park’s riverside trails in Kew and the Foreshore Trail connecting Port Melbourne with St Kilda and Elwood. Further afield, the 1000 Steps climbs into the Dandenong Ranges, while Organ Pipes National Park offers a close encounter with Victoria’s volcanic past.
Melbourne has an enviable habit of putting extraordinary landscapes within reach of an ordinary afternoon. A tram ride can deliver you to a waterfront promenade, a suburban street can give way to a gorge, and some of the city’s finest walking routes have been under our noses for decades.
From easy CBD circuits to more ambitious bushwalks, we’ve gathered the Melbourne walking trails worth knowing, with distances, difficulty levels and practical details to help you find your next favourite.
In This Guide
Best Easy Walks in Melbourne’s CBD and Inner City
The Tan
Before the Lycra, there were horses. Melbourne’s most famous running circuit began life as an equestrian track, its name borrowed from the original tanbark surface. These days, the 3.8-kilometre loop attracts marathon hopefuls, dog walkers and Melburnians getting their steps in before breakfast. Start at the Pillars of Wisdom on Alexandra Avenue, following the Royal Botanic Gardens boundary before tackling Anderson Street’s notorious Heartbreak Hill. Kings Domain and the Shrine of Remembrance provide the scenery on the return leg, with enormous elms overhead and city views between the trees.
There’s even a digital leaderboard recording the fastest laps. But walking is entirely acceptable, and far more conducive to conversation.
Where: Birdwood Avenue, Melbourne
Distance: 3.8km circuit, approximately 45–60 minutes
Difficulty: Easy to moderate, with one steep climb
Cost: Free
Best For: Fitness, dog walking, locals, city views
Need To Know: Mostly gravel, with distance markers every 250 metres. Floodlit from 5am to midnight. Dogs are welcome on leads.
Royal Botanic Gardens, Kings Domain & Alexandra Gardens
A nineteenth-century water reservoir full of cacti might seem an unlikely starting point for one of Melbourne’s finest garden walks. But Guilfoyle’s Volcano is only one reason to investigate the Royal Botanic Gardens beyond the usual lawns and lake.
Follow the Ornamental Lake, venture into the shaded greenery of Fern Gully, then make your way through Kings Domain towards the Shrine of Remembrance. The elevated views back to the city deserve a moment before the route descends to Alexandra Gardens, where historic rowing boathouses line the Birrarung.
Finish at the NGV on St Kilda Road. After an afternoon among so many impressive specimens, a little art seems an appropriate final indulgence.
Where: Birdwood Avenue, Melbourne
Distance: Approximately 3–5km, depending on your self-guided route
Difficulty: Easy to moderate, with gentle hills
Cost: Free; selected NGV exhibitions may be ticketed
Best For: Gardens, cultural outings, visitors, weekend afternoons
Need To Know: The Royal Botanic Gardens opens daily from 7.30am, with seasonal closing times. Allow at least two hours.
Fitzroy Gardens Walk
Melbourne’s eccentric streak extends to its parklands, and Fitzroy Gardens is proof. The miniature Tudor Village was gifted by the people of Lambeth in thanks for Australian food parcels sent during the Second World War. Nearby, sculptor Ola Cohn transformed an old red gum into the Fairies’ Tree, carving woodland creatures into its trunk. Even Cooks’ Cottage has travelled further than most Melburnians, transported from Yorkshire brick by numbered brick in 1934.
Between these historical diversions, the two-kilometre circuit passes beneath English elms and through gardens designed in the grand Victorian tradition. Make time for the peach-coloured Conservatory, where elaborate floral displays change five times a year. A lunchtime walk could easily become an afternoon’s occupation.
Where: Wellington Parade, East Melbourne
Distance: 2km circuit, approximately 40–90 minutes with stops
Difficulty: Easy, with wide, mostly level paths
Cost: Free; Cooks’ Cottage is ticketed
Best For: History, families, easy CBD walks, garden lovers
Need To Know: The Conservatory is free to enter but occasionally closes for seasonal display changes.
Albert Park Lake
A Formula 1 circuit on its doorstep, and the black swans couldn’t care less. For most of the year, Albert Park Lake belongs to sailing crews, morning runners and Melburnians who know a good walking circuit when they find one.
The 4.7-kilometre path follows the shoreline, with yachts crossing the water and the city skyline making its finest appearance from the southern bank. It’s flat enough for an uninterrupted conversation, with plenty of benches should the occasion call for a break.
Sitchu Tip: Come in the late afternoon. The sailing boats are often still out, the city looks its finest across the water and there’s time for a drink afterwards.
Where: Lakeside Drive, Albert Park
Distance: 4.7km circuit, approximately 50–60 minutes
Difficulty: Easy, predominantly flat and paved
Cost: Free
Best For: Dog walking, fitness, easy circuits, sunset views
Need To Know: Dogs are welcome on leads. Swimming in the lake is prohibited, and access may change during major events, including the Australian Grand Prix.
Flinders Street to Jolimont Walk
Who says the walk to the ‘G needs a match on the calendar? Starting beneath the famous Flinders Street clocks, this 2.15-kilometre route crosses Federation Square and heads into Birrarung Marr, where 39 brass Federation Bells occasionally provide the soundtrack.
Near ArtPlay, the Birrarung Wilam installation introduces an older Melbourne, its winding eel pathway and sculptural shields acknowledging the cultural connections of the Kulin Nations to the river.
William Barak Bridge then carries you towards the MCG, with public art and city views keeping things interesting before Jolimont Station. Melbourne’s cultural history is remarkably well represented over two kilometres. No football ticket required.
Where: Flinders Street Station to Jolimont Station, Melbourne
Distance: 2.15km one way, approximately 30–40 minutes
Difficulty: Easy, predominantly paved
Cost: Free
Best For: Visitors, public art, city landmarks, short walks
Need To Know: A car-free route with public transport at both ends. Allow extra time to explore the artworks at Birrarung Marr.
Docklands Waterfront Walk
Docklands is much better appreciated at walking pace. Start at NewQuay Promenade, passing the marina and Callum Morton’s Monument Park, where familiar city landmarks have been recast as curious concrete sculptures.
Harbour Esplanade leads towards Victoria Harbour, past contemporary architecture and waterside public art, with the timber-clad Library at The Dock providing an architectural highlight. Wide, level paths make this an easy outing, and the marina has its own appeal when the boats are coming and going.
Late afternoon is the time to be here. Give the waterfront its due, then find a table for a glass of something cold.
Where: NewQuay Promenade and Victoria Harbour, Docklands
Distance: Approximately 2.2km for the mapped Waterfront Wander; route variations available
Difficulty: Easy, flat and predominantly paved
Cost: Free
Best For: Accessible waterfront paths, public art, architecture, city views
Need To Know: Accessible via Docklands’ free trams. The waterfront is exposed to wind. For more ideas nearby, explore our Docklands guide.
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Best River and Creek Walks in Melbourne
Yarra Bend Park Walk
The city has an idyllic stretch of bushland hiding between Kew and Fairfield, complete with steep riverbanks, flying foxes and a boathouse that has been sending rowboats onto the Yarra since 1863.
Begin at Studley Park Boathouse and follow the riverside paths towards Kane’s Bridge, the timber suspension bridge connecting Kew with Fairfield. From here, the short Bushland Circuit offers an accessible introduction to the park’s eucalypt woodland, while longer trails lead towards Galatea Point and the river’s more secluded bends.
Kingfishers are among the birds worth watching for, although the sight of hundreds of flying foxes hanging in the trees is difficult to compete with. Oh, and do finish at the Boathouse, for a coffee overlooking the water.
Where: Studley Park Boathouse, 1 Boathouse Road, Kew
Distance: 850m Bushland Circuit; approximately 5.1km for a longer mapped walk
Difficulty: Easy to moderate, depending on route
Cost: Free
Best For: Wildlife, riverside walking, families, short bushwalks
Need To Know: The Bushland Circuit has compacted gravel paths and rest benches. Longer routes include uneven surfaces and inclines.
Fairfield to Federation Square: Maree’s Inner-Yarra Hike
Sixteen kilometres from Fairfield to Federation Square, with an impressive amount of Melbourne packed into the middle. Begin with breakfast at Fairfield Boathouse before following the Birrarung through Yarra Bend to Dights Falls, where Merri Creek joins the river beside remnants of Melbourne’s early flour-milling industry. Further along, Collingwood Children’s Farm and Abbotsford Convent provide excellent reasons to interrupt proceedings. The route continues towards Burnley, passing the culturally significant Corroboree Tree, before following the river into the city. By the time Federation Square appears, bushland has given way to bridges and high-rises, and you’ve crossed several centuries of Melbourne history without straying far from the water. Sixteen kilometres in the legs. A tram home is entirely justified.
Where: Fairfield Boathouse to Federation Square, Melbourne
Distance: 16.2km one way, approximately 4–5 hours
Difficulty: Moderate, largely due to distance
Cost: Free
Best For: Long walks, riverside scenery, history, cultural discoveries
Need To Know: Short on time? Finish at Abbotsford Convent instead.
Merri Creek Trail
Merri Creek is where Melbourne’s northside shows its less domesticated side. Behind the terrace houses and tramlines, bluestone escarpments give way to revegetated creek banks, wetlands and stretches of native grassland.
One of the most interesting sections passes CERES Community Environment Park in Brunswick East, where gardens and environmental projects have reclaimed a former quarry site. Further north, the path continues towards Coburg and Reservoir, with white-faced herons among the birds regularly seen along the creek.
The full route is a substantial undertaking, but the beauty of the Merri Creek Trail is its many entry and exit points. Start around Rushall or Brunswick East and see where the afternoon takes you.
Sitchu Tip: The section around CERES makes an especially good introduction, with coffee and a look through the gardens easily incorporated.
Where: Merri Creek corridor, Clifton Hill towards Reservoir
Distance: Approximately 21km, depending on section and endpoints
Difficulty: Mostly easy, with some gradients and road crossings
Cost: Free
Best For: Northside exploring, nature, longer walks, cycling connections
Need To Know: Shared with cyclists. Some sections have narrower paths and on-road diversions.
Maribyrnong River Trail
There are entire chapters of Melbourne’s history written along the Maribyrnong. At Brimbank Park, the river cuts through a deep valley beneath basalt escarpments. Further downstream, the landscape carries evidence of the west’s industrial beginnings.
Pipemakers Park preserves remnants of an old factory complex, while Footscray Park’s Edwardian gardens offer a more cultivated outlook across the water. Beyond the formal terraces, the trail connects wetlands, riverfront parks and neighbourhoods that are too often overlooked on a Melbourne walking itinerary.
The route is largely flat, making shorter sections approachable without committing to the entire distance. For a walk with very little geographical ambition but plenty to see, Footscray Park is a fine place to begin.
Where: Brimbank Park, Keilor East, towards Footscray
Distance: Approximately 25km one way; shorter routes available
Difficulty: Easy to moderate, with some steeper access paths
Cost: Free
Best For: Western suburbs, industrial heritage, river views, extended walks
Need To Know: A shared pedestrian and cycling route. Flooding can affect riverside sections after heavy rain.
Main Yarra Trail
At Westerfolds Park, the Yarra belongs to the kangaroos. By Southbank, it’s sharing the waterfront with office towers and expensive restaurants.
The Main Yarra Trail connects these two very different Melbournes, travelling through river country that changes character with every suburb. Banyule Flats brings billabongs thick with birdlife; Fairfield has its historic boathouses, while Dights Falls marks the meeting of the Yarra and Merri Creek, with reminders of Melbourne’s early industry nearby.
Around Abbotsford, the old convent buildings make an appealing interruption. The full distance demands sturdy footwear and a fair bit of stamina, but shorter sections are easily worth an afternoon. Try Fairfield to Abbotsford first. There’s a good deal of Melbourne to discover between the two.
Where: Templestowe to Southbank, Melbourne
Distance: Approximately 33–35km one way, depending on endpoints
Difficulty: Mostly easy to moderate terrain; challenging in full
Cost: Free
Best For: Long-distance walking, riverside scenery, wildlife, urban exploration
Need To Know: Predominantly sealed and shared with cyclists. Public transport connections make shorter sections manageable.
Capital City Trail
Twenty-nine kilometres and a remarkably comprehensive education in Melbourne. The Capital City Trail takes the long way around the inner suburbs, linking the Yarra with old railway corridors, established parklands and the city’s industrial edges.
A section through Fitzroy North and Carlton North follows the former Inner Circle railway, while Royal Park opens into broad grasslands before the route heads along Moonee Ponds Creek towards Docklands. Along the southern stretches, the city’s sports precinct and riverfront landmarks provide another perspective entirely.
Completing the circuit is an achievement worth claiming, but there’s no obligation to spend the entire day on your feet. Choose a section and leave the rest for another weekend.
Sitchu Tip: Begin at Princes Bridge and follow the river towards Abbotsford for an accessible introduction, finishing with a visit to the Convent.
Where: Circuit around Melbourne’s inner suburbs
Distance: Approximately 29–30km circuit
Difficulty: Mostly easy terrain; challenging over the full distance
Cost: Free
Best For: Long walks, cycling, urban discovery, inner-suburban exploring
Need To Know: Predominantly paved and shared with cyclists. Numerous train and tram connections allow shorter itineraries.
Best Coastal and Bayside Walks in Melbourne
The Foreshore Trail, Port Melbourne to Elwood
Eleven kilometres of Melbourne behaving like a seaside holiday town. Port Melbourne provides the starting point, with its maritime history and handsome waterfront buildings, before the path continues past Middle Park’s Victorian terraces towards Catani Gardens.
St Kilda brings its familiar cast of characters: the Sea Baths, historic pier and Luna Park’s enormous painted grin. Acland Street makes its case for a detour, with its famous cake shops, but there’s still plenty of coastline to cover.
Continue past the marina towards Elwood, where Point Ormond offers one of the finest views back to the city skyline. It’s a thoroughly Melbourne combination of beach life, architectural history and excellent opportunities to eat something along the way.
Where: Port Melbourne to Elwood, via St Kilda
Distance: Approximately 11km one way, allow 2.5–3 hours
Difficulty: Easy, predominantly flat and paved
Cost: Free
Best For: Coastal walks, visitors, weekend outings, seaside dining
Need To Know: Shared paths are popular with cyclists and runners. Frequent public transport connections make shorter sections easy to arrange.
Williamstown Foreshore Walk
Williamstown’s maritime past has left some very good things to look at. Follow the coast from Williamstown Beach towards Point Gellibrand, passing rocky shores and the nineteenth-century Timeball Tower, once used by ships to set their clocks for navigation.
Across the bay, Melbourne’s skyline presents the familiar postcard view, although the working port has its own appeal, with container ships and enormous cranes on the horizon. Continue towards Gem Pier, where the Second World War minesweeper HMAS Castlemaine is permanently moored.
Nelson Place makes a suitably civilised finish, with heritage buildings and waterfront cafes occupying some of the suburb’s finest real estate.
Where: Williamstown Beach to Gem Pier, Williamstown
Distance: Approximately 4–4.5km, depending on route
Difficulty: Easy, predominantly flat and paved
Cost: Free; optional museum entry may incur a charge
Best For: Maritime history, coastal scenery, day trips, easy walks
Need To Know: Williamstown Beach Station provides a convenient starting point. Allow 1–1.5 hours before stops.
Bayside Coastal Trail
Brighton’s bathing boxes get the postcards, but the coastline has plenty more to offer further south.
The route follows Port Phillip Bay through Hampton and Sandringham, passing beaches and sandstone cliffs before reaching Black Rock. Here, the ochre face of Red Bluff rises above Half Moon Bay, with the rusting remains of HMVS Cerberus offshore.
At Ricketts Point Marine Sanctuary, low tide reveals sandstone rockpools, with the marine environment offering an entirely different reason to pay attention to the shoreline. Continue towards Beaumaris, where the bay’s geological history becomes increasingly visible in the cliffs.
It’s a magnificent stretch of coast to explore in sections, particularly with a fish-and-chip shop somewhere in the afternoon’s plans.
Where: Brighton to Beaumaris, Melbourne
Distance: Approximately 17km of coastline; shorter sections available
Difficulty: Easy to moderate, with some uneven coastal sections
Cost: Free
Best For: Coastal scenery, nature, photography, beachside outings
Need To Know: Expect a mix of paved paths and coastal access points. Check tides for rockpool exploration, and wear an extra layer on windy days.
Best Nature Walks in Melbourne’s Suburbs
Newport Lakes Reserve Loop
The bluestone cliffs are the giveaway. Newport Lakes has had several lives, not all of them glamorous. First a quarry, then a rubbish tip, this 33-hectare pocket of Melbourne’s west has undergone an impressive environmental transformation.
A two-kilometre nature trail winds through the reclaimed landscape, with twin lakes beneath the old rock walls and stepping stones connecting sections of the reserve. A bird hide offers a chance to watch the waterbirds without interrupting proceedings, while more than 200 native plant species have been recorded here.
The quarry walls remain the most arresting feature. They give this suburban reserve an unexpected sense of scale, with a history that’s hard to imagine from the surrounding streets.
Where: Lakes Drive, Newport
Distance: Approximately 2km circuit, allow 40 minutes
Difficulty: Easy to moderate, with some uneven paths
Cost: Free
Best For: Families, wildlife, short nature walks, western suburbs
Need To Know: Dogs aren’t permitted in the conservation area. Newport Station is approximately a 15-minute walk away.
Diamond Creek Trail, Eltham to Hurstbridge
A creekside walk with country-town stops and a train to take you home is an appealing proposition. The Diamond Creek Trail runs between Eltham and Hurstbridge, connecting a succession of leafy reserves and townships along a largely level, sealed path. Edendale Community Environment Farm provides a good excuse to investigate the route’s southern end, while Diamond Creek’s independent shops and cafes merit a detour. Beyond Wattle Glen, the suburbs begin to loosen their grip, replaced by a more rural landscape.
The full journey is long enough to occupy much of the day, but the Hurstbridge train line means there’s no need to retrace your steps. A little logistical planning, and the afternoon is yours. Bliss.
Where: Eltham to Hurstbridge, via Diamond Creek and Wattle Glen
Distance: 17.3km one way
Difficulty: Easy terrain, mostly sealed, with gentle gradients
Cost: Free
Best For: Accessible trails, dog walking, regional-style day trips, cycling
Need To Know: Shared with cyclists and horse riders. Dogs must remain on leads. The Hurstbridge train line makes one-way walks possible.
Maroondah Aqueduct Trail, Eltham to Research
The engineers who built Melbourne’s nineteenth-century water supply system probably didn’t have weekend walkers in mind. Their attention to a consistent gradient, however, has proved useful. Following the former Maroondah Aqueduct corridor, this four-kilometre trail between Eltham and Research passes through established greenery on a mostly level bitumen path. It’s an appealing choice for anyone seeking bushland scenery without a significant climb.
Those with more time can connect to the Research Trail for a roughly nine-kilometre circuit through the surrounding neighbourhoods. There’s also an unsealed aqueduct section at Kangaroo Ground for walkers who prefer a more rural setting.
Civil engineering has produced far worse Saturday plans, that’s for sure.
Where: Allendale Road, Eltham, to Main Road, Research
Distance: 4km one way; approximately 9km for the linked circuit
Difficulty: Easy, mostly flat and sealed
Cost: Free
Best For: Family walks, prams, easy cycling, local history
Need To Know: Shared-use path with several road crossings. The Kangaroo Ground section is separate and unsealed.
Plenty Gorge Parklands
South Morang has a geological secret worth leaving the house for. The Plenty River has carved its way through contrasting layers of basalt and sedimentary rock, producing steep escarpments, dense woodland and a lake that occasionally turns an extraordinary shade of turquoise.
Yellow Gum Recreation Area provides access to Blue Lake’s lookout, while Middle Gorge offers more demanding trails and elevated views over the river. For birdwatching, the paths around Morang Wetlands will delight.
The park is large enough to warrant repeat visits, with each entrance opening onto a different landscape. One important distinction: Blue Lake is for admiring, not swimming.
Where: Plenty Gorge Parklands, South Morang
Distance: Various short and longer walking trails
Difficulty: Easy to challenging, depending on route
Cost: Free
Best For: Nature, birdwatching, photography, adventurous bushwalks
Need To Know: Blue-green algae is present in Blue Lake; swimming and fishing are not advised. Check Parks Victoria for trail access and park upgrades.
Organ Pipes National Park
The Keilor Plains have an astonishing geological past, and Organ Pipes National Park is the evidence. A steep descent into the Jacksons Creek valley reveals towering hexagonal columns of basalt, formed as molten lava cooled around a million years ago. The main formation rises some 20 metres above the creek, but the investigation shouldn’t end there.
Continue along the walking tracks towards Rosette Rock, whose columns radiate like the spokes of a wheel, and the Tessellated Pavement, where ancient volcanic stone resembles an enormous tiled floor. Wallabies are occasionally seen among the eucalypts, while picnic areas offer a good place to recover before the steep return climb.
Where: Organ Pipes Road, Keilor North
Distance: Short linked tracks; allow approximately 1.5 hours to explore
Difficulty: Moderate, with a very steep descent and return climb
Cost: Free
Best For: Geology, nature, families with older children, short bushwalks
Need To Know: The sealed access path is extremely steep and unsuitable for some visitors with limited mobility. No dogs permitted.
Mount Lofty Circuit, Warrandyte
At Wittons Reserve, the Yarra is close enough to hear. By the time you reach Mount Lofty’s grassy summit, it’s a narrow brown ribbon threading through the valley below.
This circuit in Warrandyte State Park begins beside the river, passing tea-tree thickets and open grassland before climbing towards the highest point in the park. Wildflowers and native orchids appear in spring, and wedge-tailed eagles are sometimes seen overhead.
The summit looks across the Yarra Valley towards the Dandenong Ranges, giving the climb a satisfying geographical perspective. Take care on the gravelly descent before returning to the riverbank at Wittons Reserve.
Where: Wittons Reserve, Reserve Road, Wonga Park
Distance: 4.7km official circuit
Difficulty: Moderate, with steep climbs and loose gravel
Cost: Free
Best For: Bushwalking, fitness, river views, spring wildflowers
Need To Know: Allow approximately 2.5 hours. Dogs aren’t permitted in Warrandyte State Park.
Best Bushwalks Near Melbourne for a Day Trip
The 1000 Steps (Kokoda Track Memorial Walk)
There’s always the point on the 1000 Steps when conversation gives way to the sound of your own breathing. Starting at Ferntree Gully Picnic Ground, the Kokoda Track Memorial Walk climbs steeply through mountain ash and tree ferns towards One Tree Hill. But this Melbourne institution is much more than a physical challenge.
Bronze plaques along the route commemorate Australian soldiers who fought and died during the Kokoda campaign in Papua New Guinea in the Second World War. Taking the time to read them is an important part of the experience.
Near the top, glimpses of Melbourne appear between the trees before Lyrebird Track leads back down.
Sitchu Tip: Choose a quiet weekday morning. The resident superb lyrebirds are easier to spot before the crowds arrive.
Where: Ferntree Gully Picnic Ground, Mount Dandenong Tourist Road, Upper Ferntree Gully
Distance: Approximately 1.4km uphill, returning via Lyrebird Track
Difficulty: Challenging, with steep, narrow and uneven steps
Cost: Free
Best For: Fitness, bushwalking, military history, forest scenery
Need To Know: Allow approximately 1–1.5 hours for the return walk. Dogs are prohibited. The track can become slippery after rain.
Sugarloaf Reservoir Park
The scale of Sugarloaf Reservoir is best appreciated from its surrounding hills. Beyond the picnic lawns, tracks climb through eucalypt woodland towards viewpoints overlooking the water and the Yarra Valley.
The full reservoir circuit covers a demanding 18 kilometres, making it an undertaking for well-prepared walkers. Shorter tracks, including the Ironbark and Chris Phillips routes, offer alternatives for those with less time.
Birdwatchers have plenty to occupy them, with wedge-tailed eagles among the possible sightings. Saddle Dam Picnic Area provides a natural starting point and somewhere to settle afterwards with lunch.
Where: Sugarloaf Reservoir Park, Simpson Road, Christmas Hills
Distance: 18km reservoir circuit; shorter walks available
Difficulty: Easy to challenging, depending on route
Cost: Free
Best For: Long bushwalks, birdwatching, picnics, reservoir views
Need To Know: No dogs or swimming permitted. Gates open at 8.30am and close at 5pm, or 7pm during daylight saving.
O’Shannassy Aqueduct Trail
Melbourne’s former water supply system makes an unlikely candidate for one of the Upper Yarra Valley’s finest forest walks. High on the slopes above Warburton, the O’Shannassy Aqueduct’s old maintenance track follows the contours of the mountain for 30 kilometres, passing fern gullies and towering mountain ash.
The relatively level gradient is a gift for walkers, particularly on shorter out-and-back sections. There’s engineering history to investigate, too, including the timber Dee Slip Bridge, originally built in 1947 and reopened in April 2026 following extensive restoration.
Choose a section around Warburton or Millgrove, then make an afternoon of it in the valley. The former waterworks have found an excellent second occupation.
Where: O’Shannassy Aqueduct Trail, Warburton and surrounding Upper Yarra Valley
Distance: 30km in full; shorter sections available
Difficulty: Easy to moderate terrain, with mostly level unsealed paths
Cost: Free
Best For: Forest walking, heritage, photography, day trips
Need To Know: Shared with cyclists. Dogs on leads are permitted only on designated sections. Check Parks Victoria for current access conditions and closures.
Best Walks in Melbourne: FAQs
The best walks in Melbourne include the 3.8-kilometre Tan around the Royal Botanic Gardens, the two-kilometre Fitzroy Gardens Walk in East Melbourne, the 4.7-kilometre Albert Park Lake circuit and Yarra Bend Park’s riverside trails in Kew. For coastal scenery, the 11-kilometre Foreshore Trail runs from Port Melbourne to Elwood via St Kilda. Walkers after a longer day can tackle the 29-kilometre Capital City Trail in sections, while the 1000 Steps in Upper Ferntree Gully and Organ Pipes National Park in Keilor North offer steeper, more challenging bushwalks within easy reach of the city.
Fitzroy Gardens, Albert Park Lake and the Tan are among the easiest walks close to Melbourne’s CBD. Fitzroy Gardens in East Melbourne offers a two-kilometre heritage circuit on wide, mostly level paths, passing Cooks’ Cottage, the Fairies’ Tree and the Conservatory. Albert Park Lake has a flat, paved 4.7-kilometre loop that takes around 50 to 60 minutes. The 3.8-kilometre Tan circles the Royal Botanic Gardens and Kings Domain, with one steep climb at Anderson Street. The Flinders Street to Jolimont Walk is another easy, car-free option, taking approximately 30 to 40 minutes one way.
Allow approximately one to one and a half hours to complete the 1000 Steps, also known as the Kokoda Track Memorial Walk, in Upper Ferntree Gully. The climb starts at Ferntree Gully Picnic Ground and covers around 1.4 kilometres uphill through mountain ash and tree ferns towards One Tree Hill, with Lyrebird Track providing the return route. The steps are steep, narrow and uneven, and can be slippery after rain, so wear suitable footwear and allow time for breaks. Entry is free, dogs are prohibited, and quiet weekday mornings offer the best chance of spotting superb lyrebirds.
Melbourne’s best coastal walks follow Port Phillip Bay. The 11-kilometre Foreshore Trail runs from Port Melbourne to Elwood via St Kilda’s Sea Baths, pier and Luna Park, finishing at Point Ormond with views back to the city skyline. The Bayside Coastal Trail follows approximately 17 kilometres of coastline from Brighton’s bathing boxes through Hampton, Sandringham and Black Rock to Beaumaris, passing Red Bluff, HMVS Cerberus and the rockpools of Ricketts Point Marine Sanctuary. For maritime history, the roughly four-kilometre Williamstown Foreshore Walk links Williamstown Beach, the Timeball Tower at Point Gellibrand and Gem Pier.
Several of Melbourne’s best walks welcome dogs on leads, including the 3.8-kilometre Tan around the Royal Botanic Gardens, the 4.7-kilometre Albert Park Lake circuit and the 17.3-kilometre Diamond Creek Trail between Eltham and Hurstbridge. Dogs on leads are also permitted on designated sections of the O’Shannassy Aqueduct Trail near Warburton. Dogs are not allowed on the 1000 Steps, at Organ Pipes National Park, in the Newport Lakes conservation area, in Warrandyte State Park, including the Mount Lofty Circuit, or at Sugarloaf Reservoir Park, so check the rules for each trail before setting out.
Yes. Most of Melbourne’s best walking trails are free to use, including the Tan, Fitzroy Gardens, Yarra Bend Park, Albert Park Lake, the Merri Creek Trail, the Foreshore Trail and the Bayside Coastal Trail. Entry to the Royal Botanic Gardens is also free, as are the 1000 Steps, Organ Pipes National Park and Sugarloaf Reservoir Park. Some attractions along the way charge admission, including Cooks’ Cottage in Fitzroy Gardens, selected NGV exhibitions at the end of the Royal Botanic Gardens walk and optional museum entry in Williamstown, but access to the walking trails themselves costs nothing.
Melbourne’s best walks don’t require a long weekend or an elaborate itinerary. Some begin at a tram stop; others demand an early start and a decent pair of boots. What they share is the opportunity to see parts of the city that are easily missed between appointments, commutes and the usual Saturday plans. For more adventurous outings, explore our guide to the best hikes near Melbourne, or take your walking shoes further south with the best walks on the Mornington Peninsula.
