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5 of the Most Exciting Bike Trails around Melbourne
Author: Cycling Deal Date Posted:15 December 2016
Melbourne isn’t just the coffee and music capital of Australia; it’s arguably also the best city for cyclists, with incredible bike trails offering hours of great riding. Here’s five of the best:
- St Kilda Beach to Half Moon Bay
This 13-kilometre trail follows the beachside bike path from St Kilda Beach via Brighton and Sandringham to Half Moon Bay. It's flat coasting all the way, with great views over Melbourne's bayside coast. The navigation is pretty simple – just keep the land/shops/glassed-in tycoon residences on one side and the amazing coastal views on the other.
- The Capital City Trail
A 30-kilometre trail along car-free paths around inner Melbourne; this is a great way to get to know the city and its landmarks. The loop follows part of the Yarra River and passes by Docklands, Federation Square, the Royal Botanic Gardens, Como House, Abbotsford Convent, Dights Falls, and the Melbourne Zoo. This is a circuit trail, so there's no designated start or end point, but you could easily start from Flinders Street Station.
If you don't have the time or energy to follow the whole 30-kilometre loop, there are shorter sections – you could do the 13 kilometres from Federation Square to Abbotsford Convent, or the 9 kilometres from the convent to the zoo, or the 9 kilometres from the zoo to the Docklands.
- Bass Coast Rail Trail
This 16-kilometre trail is about a 90-minute drive from Melbourne and follows the disused railway line from Anderson to Wonthaggi, in Gippsland. It has spectacular views over the Bass Strait. The landscape varies, from rugged coastline at Kilcunda to flat farmland and coastal bushland. There are historical coal mining areas at Wonthaggi and Kilcunda.
- Lilydale to Warburton Rail Trail
This 38-kilometre rail trail follows the disused railway line from Lilydale to Warburton. There's green Yarra Valley scenery, wineries, and native forest to enjoy. Well-maintained and clearly signed, the trail follows an easy gradient with minimal road crossings. The entire return trail can be done as a long day trip, or you could just ride a shorter section and stop at one of the towns along the way. If you'd rather do the entire route but only one way, go with friends and leave a car at either end.
- Around the Bay
For the serious, lycra-clad cycling connoisseur, there's a 210-kilometre route around Port Phillip Bay. You can start the trail at Alexandra Gardens and either cycle south-east towards Sorrento or west towards Queenscliff. Unless you fancy swimming with your bike, take the ferry between Queenscliff and Sorrento to get across the bay. The ride ends where you began, at Alexandra Gardens. Bicycle Victoria organise the ride as an annual event – or you can do it yourself at any time.
Another great place for cycling in Melbourne – the Cycling Deal Store in Dandenong South, of course! Come and visit us for all the best bikes, gear and accessories or shop online if you’re outside of Melbourne.
