Melbourne is one of the best cycling cities in the world with an amazing network of bike paths for gravel rides. With any form of overseas or domestic travel out of the question In 2021, I spent the year exploring Melbourne’s cycle and gravel riding paths. What surprised me was the amazing variety available.
Here are five of my favourite gravel rides all starting from my South Yarra apartment. I have included the Strava link which means you will be able to copy them to create your own route and starting point.
In this post:
Brimbank Park – Scone and Gravel Ride
Distance: 67km
Elevation: 398m
Effort: Easy
This ride starts heading in the same direction as the Altona Coastal Park ride but once you cross the Maribyrnong River you swing under the bridge and away from Williamstown. You will cross the river a number of times following the bike path the whole way. This ride is less crowded than other trails considering how close you are to the city.
At about the halfway point, the route switches to gravel all the way to Brimbank Park; a gravel bike is best. There are a couple of stiff hills on the route which you notice particularly on the return leg, so be prepared. Of course the views of Melbourne at the top of the hills on the way back are worth enjoying.
The Maribyrnong River is a lovely river particularly in the upper reaches where it can be fast flowing in flood with beautiful river gums lining the banks.
The absolute highlight is Lambar and Co coffee shop at the turnaround point and its very generous scone and cream and jam offering.
Moonee Ponds Creek and Woodlands Historic Park Gravel Ride
Distance: 67km
Elevation: 582m
Effort: Easy
This is one of those rides that makes you feel like you’re a school kid wagging school. The trail actually runs through the canals you see on your way to and from the airport. You can cycle five abreast without having to worry about anyone else on the trail.
There are a few small parts of the ride you need to share with cars but it is mainly bike paved and gravel trails. This is another gravel bike preferred ride. There is an easy hill at the end and the views of Melbourne Airport are spectacular. We only saw a few planes due to lockdown but once things return to normal it would be a great location for plane spotters.
The other highlight are the kangaroos in Woodland Historic Park. On the two occasions we did this ride we saw mobs of kangaroos so I imagine they are permanent residents.
There are no coffee shops at Woodland Historic Park but you can pick up a coffee on the way home. We would pack our own snacks and eat them watching the planes take off and land.
Altona Coastal Park Wetlands
Distance: 53km
Elevation: 214m
Effort: Easy
One of our favourite recovery rides is the Altona Coastal Park Wetlands loop. An easy ride from the Melbourne CBD that can be done solely along bike paths is to the Altona Wetlands via Williamstown. Highlights include :
- Port of Melbourne which is Australia’s biggest container port
- Cycling under the Westgate Bridge and the memorial to the workers who died when it collapsed in 1970.
- Historic Williamstown, and
- Altona Coastal Park Wetlands which is a unique salt marsh reserve with bird watching stations.
As it is a wetland the ride can sometimes be flooded, however when this happened to us it only removed the last few kilometers.
This bike ride can easily be done on a road bike as most of the route is paved. You get great views looking back to Melbourne city across the marshlands.
There are heaps of food options available around Williamstown. However as it is a short ride we just head back to Port Melbourne for coffee and muffins.
Main Yarra Trail to Pettys Orchards Templestowe Gravel Ride
Distance: 62km
Elevation: 559m
Effort: Easy
The Main Yarra Trail is probably the best gravel ride in Melbourne. You can start the ride at Southbank and follow the trail all the way to Templestowe. I would usually cut across Richmond and start at Yarra Boulevard.
While there are options to link with other trails for a return loop, I preferred it as a there and back ride. The reason is because you get a totally different perspective on the way back.
The highlight is Pettys Orchard at the end of the ride who have a great selection of cakes and coffee set in a ramshackle farm. This is another ride with a good chance of kangaroo spotting.
Darebin Creek/Plenty Creek Loop Gravel Ride
Distance: 75km
Elevation: 707m
Effort: Moderate
The Darebin Creek and Plenty Creek loop is a well paved ride suitable for road and gravel bikes. In heavy rain this ride can get washed out, so best to check the weather forecast.
It starts and finishes on the Main Yarra Trail. You travel up the Darebin Trail until you meet the M80 bike path. Turning right along the bike path you need to travel a few kilometres to the unmarked turnoff.
This is one ride where it’s best to follow the Strava route as there are lots of chances to take a wrong turn.
You then have a downhill run on a quiet road until you cross the Plenty Creek. This hill combined with heavy foot traffic on Darebin Creek later in the day makes clockwise the best option.
Just before you reconnect with the Main Yarra Trail you get some great views of the city as you cycle along the shared brindle path.
We never found any place to stop for coffee so you may want to plan ahead.
