11 Best Walks in Melbourne 2025

1. Merri Creek Trail

Location: Fitzroy North to Coburg
Distance: 19km one way
Time from Melbourne: 25 minutes (to Coburg)
Level of difficulty: Easy

This cute trail follows Merri Creek through Melbourne’s northern suburbs and beautiful bushland. As you walk along the trail you’ll pass bubbling waterfalls, native wetlands (much of it thanks to replanting efforts) and even cross a pretty neat cable suspension bridge. Keep an eye out for White-faced herons as you pass through the wetlands!

This pamphlet has everything you need to know about the walk, including public transport info, BBQ spots and the location of CERES, a community environmental hub (with a dope café, of course).

Photo by Ewen Bell via Visit Victoria

2. The Yarra Trail

Location: Fairfield Boathouse to Eltham
Distance: 38km one way
Time from Melbourne: It’s in Melbourne!
Level of difficulty: Easy

There are a LOT of ways to slice the Yarra Trail, a route so iconic that there’s a shmancy brand named after it. The path roughly follows a dreaming route for the Wurundjeri people based around Bunwurrung, or the Yarra River. As it meanders further away from the CBD through the Melbourne suburbs, concrete gives way to dirt and breathtaking views of the city give way to cheeky billabongs and lazy gums.

As you get closer to Eltham you’ll walk close to the Heide Museum of Modern Art, which has a fantastic outdoor section, well worth a wander around.

Heads up, this walking path is shared with cyclists so keep your wits about you as you walk.

Read more: A Guide to Melbourne’s Bike Paths

Photo via Visit Victoria

3. Yarra Bend Park

Location: Fairfield
Distance: 500m to 6.3km (different walks)
Time from Melbourne: It’s in Melbourne!
Level of difficulty: Easy

Yarra Bend Park is Melbourne’s largest natural bushland park, there’s over 260 hectares to explore! The Yarra River winds its way through the park and is a visual feature of almost every pathway across the grounds.

There are six different walks throughout Yarra Bend Park, ranging from a quick 20 minutes, to a decent 2 hours, and is suitable for people of all fitness levels. It’s dog-friendly too so if you can’t find a human being to join you, bring along a canine!

There’s beautiful flora and fauna to spot along your walk, including at least 320 types of Indigenous plant species. Make sure you don’t miss the chance to walk along Dights Falls loop track, which will lead you to one of the Yarra River weirs.

Want more walks to enjoy with your doggo? Take them to one of Melbourne’s best dog beaches.

@bee_pinkydoony

4. Capital City Trail

Location: Starts/ends at Flinders Street Station
Distance: 29km loop
Time from Melbourne: 10 minutes
Level of difficulty: Easy

The Capital City Trail is the poster child of Melbourne’s bike network but it’s also perfect for use by walkers – we even get our own lane! This mostly flat 27km loop encircles the city, passing by iconic sites including Docklands, Melbourne Zoo, Federation Square, and the Royal Botanic Gardens.

The walking path showcases some of Melbourne’s best streetscapes, parklands, and rivers. Most of the trail follows the former course of the Inner Circle railway line and as a result, features few road crossings or steep hills. The hike starts wherever you decide you’d like a good stroll – it’s a loop so you can choose your favourite section or explore the whole trail.

With incredible views the whole way, and plenty of places to jump on, it’s an easy lunchtime circuit walk no matter where you’re working in the CBD.

@abbyvogelsang

5. Main Yarra Trail

Location: Starts at Westerfolds Park in Templestowe, ends in Southbank
Distance: 33km one-way
Time from Melbourne: 35 minutes (to Templestowe)
Level of difficulty: Easy

The Main Yarra Trail runs from the eastern suburbs into Port Melbourne and forms part of the Capital City Trail (we spoke about this above!). It’s one of the best walking trails we have and is super popular with joggers and walkers, especially in the sections closer to the CBD.

This elegantly constructed trail follows the course of the Yarra River and uses many extravagant design solutions, including boardwalks and bridges to avoid road crossings. If you typically avoid walking in the city because you hate stopping at traffic lights or standing beside roads breathing in fumes… this is the first of this list of melbourne walks you should tackle.

A sneaky walk bonus is that this one passes by the Royal Botanical Gardens. I’m yet to meet someone that hasn’t enjoyed a walk around arguably Victoria’s most beautifully maintained lush vegetation. Aside from being arguably more beautiful than the Great Otway National Park, it’s a great place to go for a quick walk when you haven’t got much time.

For that matter, while you’re at the other end in Templestowe, you should take a quick walk in the natural beauty of Ruffey Lake Park too – it’s massive and full of hills if you’re keen to get the heart pumping or chasing a post-walk burn! Ruffey boasts picnic tables, a generous car park, and has convenient public transport to whisk you back to the city when you’re done.

Note: Thanks to the awesome boardwalks and lack of road crossings, this is beloved by cyclists. Make sure to stick to the left and keep an ear out for bike bells!

@embarlow_

6. Albert Park Lake Loop Walk

Location: City of Port Phillip
Distance: 4.8km
Time from Melbourne: 15 minutes
Level of difficulty: Easy

Located a mere 4km from the centre of Melbourne’s CBD, a walk around the peaceful Albert Lake is the welcome respite you need from a busy day at the office. The loop walk is flat and well maintained but it is endlessly popular so while you’ll have gorgeous scenery to enjoy, you’re unlikely to be enjoying it solo.

It’s the setting for a tonne of active events, particularly runs, and utilised by running clubs often so you’ll want to keep this in mind when visiting early in the morning or on weekends.

The lake is a great place to base yourself for sunrise and sunset, there’s a reason photographers love it! While there’s no dense bushland or highest point for a panoramic view, a walk around this lake is a treat for nature lovers with plenty of birdlife to enjoy.

Only a stone’s throw from St Kilda beach and St Kilda pier, you can extend your walk in that direction to increase the distance while staying near Melbourne.

Photo via Visit Victoria

7. Foreshore Heritage Trail

Location: Sandridge to Elwood
Distance: 11km
Time from Melbourne: 7 minutes
Level of difficulty: Easy

Take a walk by the coast on the 11km Foreshore Heritage Trail. This walk stretches from Sandridge Beach, in Port Melbourne, along the coastline to Elwood beach and takes most people about three hours end to end. Along the way you’ll pass many historical Melbourne sights, including the Sea Baths, Luna Park, and St Kilda Pier.

If you like to pair your walks with pastries, don’t miss the opportunity to stop in at one of the many cake shops on Acland St in St Kilda to indulge your sweet tooth!

The trail is also popular with our two-wheeled friends and kiddos keen to play in the sand, so as always, be sure to stick to the left and stay alert!

Photo via Visit Victoria

8. Bay Trail

Location: Brighton to Williamstown
Distance: 18km
Time from Melbourne: 30 minutes (to Brighton)
Level of difficulty: Easy

The walk starts at the Westgate Bridge in Williamstown, finishing in Brighton. It’s a well-paved walking route that follows along the coastline of Port Phillip Bay, passing through St Kilda on the way.

The Bay Trail is a great urban walk that gives beautiful sunset views across the city. It’s mostly flat and like most walking trails on this list, also popular with cyclists. A nice perk is that you’ll come across multiple places to swim, which is a refreshing way to break up the walk on a hot day.

@mydreamadventure

9. Edinburgh Gardens

Location: Brighton to Williamstown
Distance: 18km
Time from Melbourne: 15 minutes
Level of difficulty: Easy

Easily the most beautiful park in the inner north, Edinburgh Gardens is a great spot for a quick walk to get your daily dose of vitamin D. It’s also beloved by dogs, so if you’ve got a four-legged friend, make sure to bring them along for some socialising and tantalising sniffs.

While this is the ideal walk near Melbourne to free yourself from the need to follow a path and let yourself follow your instincts – or your dogs nose if he’s anything like mine – here are three great walking routes you can follow if you prefer more structure.

The park is full of hidden treasures, and has its own beauty, but it’s not quite on the same level as the Royal Botanic Gardens in terms of scenery. Despite this, it’s still one of the best walks and is much more interesting than nearby Carlton Gardens.

Read more: Best Dog Friendly Walks Melbourne

Photo via Visit Victoria

10. Hobsons Bay Coastal Trail

Location: Westgate Bridge to Skeleton Creek
Distance: 23km
Time from Melbourne: 15 minutes
Level of difficulty: Moderate

This bay side walking track picks up where the Melbourne Bayside Trail ends. The two coastal walks are divided by the Yarra River, making this walk perfect for anyone on the west side of town.

The Hobsons Bay Coastal Trail starts at the Westgate Bridge and winds past wetlands, beaches, and historic and cultural sites to end at Skeleton Creek. This handy map shows you exactly what you can expect to find along the way. My favourite part is the historical maritime precinct of Williamstown because the boats look so beautiful, especially as the sun goes down.

Break up your walk by squeezing in a sneaky doggy paddle or two at Altona Beach (it’s pup friendly provided your dog stays on leash). Swapping dog parks for coastal parks helps keep your walks interesting.

Photo via Visit Victoria

11. The Tan

Location: Starts/ends at the Pillars of Wisdom, opposite the Swan St Bridge
Distance: 3.8km
Time from Melbourne: 15 minutes
Level of difficulty: Easy

The Tan is easily the most well-known and popular running track near Melbourne, which conveniently also makes it one of the best walks in the CBD. It loops around Kings Domain and the Botanical Gardens and has a consistently wide, well maintained path which is lit up by floodlights until midnight daily – great news for night owls.

While you can start anywhere, the most popular point is at the Pillars of Wisdom. It’s a mostly flat place to walk or run, with the exception of one short steep section along Anderson St.

While it’s very much beloved, I’ve got to say that I don’t head here for a walk unless the weather is pretty sub-optimal. Why? Most of the time it’s just too busy. If you like your walks crowded by sweaty runners, groups of parents with prams, and people using it as a shortcut to get somewhere else, then you’ll love it. I prefer to find quieter pockets, rugged mountains, or a secluded beach to enjoy a bit of serenity. Granted these are pretty tricky to find in the city!

If it’s too busy when I arrive, or it suddenly resembles a boxing day shopping event, I’ll just duck into one of the many entrances to the botanic gardens instead.

Photo via Visit Victoria

What’s the best time to go for a walk in Melbourne?

Let’s be honest, the CBD is pretty busy almost all the time so if you normally schedule your walks based around how many other people might be there… you might want to forget that strategy.

Walking in Melbourne is most comfortable in autumn and spring, between March to May and September to November. But you can definitely still enjoy a lovely walk in gumboots and a raincoat while the sky cries. And there’s something magical about late night walks in summer, feeling the last heat of the day radiating off the concrete, and finally feeling comfortable.

So ultimately, the best time to go for a walk in Melbourne is when you have time, or when you feel like you need one. Walks are great for fitness, but they’re also restorative and good for the mind. If you’re chasing relaxation, head for a garden. If you want a workout, make a beeline for Albert Park or The Tan.

Read more: How To Live in the Moment on Your Next Outdoor Adventure

Shot by Roman Bintang

FAQs Best Walks in Melbourne CBD

Are walks in Melbourne CBD quiet?

Remember, the best places to walk in Melbourne CBD are also some of the best places to ride, jog, rollerblade, and walk your dog so you won’t be alone out there and it might not always be quiet. If you’re seeking solitude, head outside around sunrise for the best chance of serenity.

Is it safe to walk in the CBD with headphones?

Wear headphones, sure, but keep your wits about you so you’re aware of who else is around you. This might mean choosing headphones without active noise cancelling or using only one earbud so you can also hear the sounds of the street. Safety first!

Where did the name ‘The Tan’ come from?

There’s a couple of theories about the origin of the name of The Tan Track, or ‘The Tan’ as it’s more commonly called. The first is that it was named that due to the abbreviation of ‘BoTANical Gardens’, which it encircles. The second is that it’s because it’s original surface was a tan-coloured bark equestrian track. Not many people remember this because it was replaced by gravel in 1974.

Where can I go for a walk in Melbourne?

Try the places on the above list for a start. If you run out of those, consider checking out these urban parks – they’ve got heaps of great wildlife to spot while you’re there.

Is Melbourne a walkable city?

Absolutely! Melbourne is well known for how easy it is to walk around. If you get tired, you can always catch a lift on the free trams around the city circle.

Where are the best walking trails near Melbourne?

There are some really great walks and challenging hikes to enjoy within a few hours of Melbourne. Hike in Werribee Gorge State Park, hit up Flinders Peak Walk in the You Yangs, try the Bushrangers Bay Trail, or visit Cape Schanck on the Mornington Peninsula.

What gear do I need for a walk?

There are a few essentials every walker should have on them, like sunscreen, water, and basic first aid items. This article describing required gear for day hikes should help you narrow down what you need to take with you. Make sure to load the best hiking navigation apps to your phone before you head out too!

Feature photo by Visit Victoria