10 Best Melbourne Walks Accessible By Public Transport 2025

Ditch your car and start your adventure on your doorstep with this list of the best Melbourne walks, hikes, and even island overnighters accessible by public transport.

We Are Explorers acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of the Countries on which these adventures take place who have occupied and cared for these lands, waters, and their inhabitants for thousands of years. We pay our respects to them and recognise that sovereignty was never ceded.

The best part about taking public transport to get to a hike is that the adventure starts the moment you leave your house. Sure, it may be a familiar stroll to the train station, but when was the last time you did it with a hiking pack?

Even a small tweak to your routine – like a changed destination or more hardcore boots – is enough to jolt you into adventure mode.

Admittedly, travelling to the best Melbourne walks without selling your kidney for a taxi ride can be difficult, but by making use of public transport, getting to epic trails is easy (and cheap!). Forget getting dead leg on the drive to the trail – when you bus-hop your hike starts the moment you leave your front door!

If you’re up for trains and buses, don’t mind a surprise change of plans or ripper view, grab your Myki and let’s go!

Read more: Remember to leave no trace

Adventure Better With The North Face

This article is brought to you by The North Face to help you adventure differently. The North Face gear is made to take on the unexpected, and what’s more unexpected than letting your day be dictated by a changing train timetable?

You might start out heading for Phillip Island, but with one switcheroo you could be on the 907 bus to Doncaster. The adventure opportunities here are pretty endless.

Make sure you’ve got your essentials with you for safety!

Best Melbourne Walks Near Public Transport

1. Kokoda Track Memorial Walk (1,000 Steps)

Nearest Train Station: Upper Ferntree Gully
Train Line: Belgrave Line
Walk Distance: 3km
Walk Duration: 1.5-2 hours

The popular Kokoda Track Memorial Walk, more commonly known as the 1,000 Steps (it’s actually more like 700-something), is a challenging hike up increasingly larger steps in the lush Dandenong Ranges. It honours the Australian soldiers who fought on the Kokoda Track in Papua New Guinea during World War II, and is often used by people training for tough hikes.

You’ll reach this one by jumping on a train to Upper Ferntree Gully Station and walking 1.2km uphill to the base of the steps. Along the way you’ll pass the crowded car park (suckers clearly didn’t know about the train!), a cafe, and a memorial plaque worth stopping at.

Head back down the hill via the stairs or the adjacent Lyrebird Track and stop in at one of the cafes in Upper Ferntree Gully before returning to the city the same way you arrived.

Read more: Best Short Walks in Dandenong Ranges National Park

You’ll pass this memorial en route to the base of the steps | @jessleenehme

2. Coles Ridge Track

Nearest Train Station: Belgrave
Train Line: Belgrave Line
Walk Distance: 2.2km (one-way)
Walk Duration: 2-3 hours (return)

The Coles Ridge Track is a wonderfully relaxing trail through tall Mountain Ash forest, peppered with the sounds of fossicking birds and lumbering wombats. The track is wide and well-maintained, suitable for prams and multiple people to walk side-by-side.

An excellent perk is the Grants on Sherbrooke Cafe perfectly positioned at the halfway point of this out-and-back trail. Enjoy lunch, or a coffee under the watchful supervision of the resident cockatoos and rosellas before heading back the way you came.

It’s a manageable 25 minute/2.1km walk from Belgrave Station to the start of the Coles Ridge Track where it intersects with Welch Track. Be mindful of the short slog uphill – just after crossing the Puffing Billy train track – before you hit the trailhead. Last time I drove here, even the car struggled with the incline so take it slow, wear shoes with good grip, and you’ll be through to the flat serenity of Coles Ridge in no time.

For a longer walk, continue along Coles Ridge Track to complete the 7.1km Eastern Sherbrooke Forest Loop Track using this handy map as a guide. Or jump on the 694 Bus from Belgrave Station for the the 30-minute Sherbrooke Falls Walk.

Top tip! If you want to mix up your journey, keep an eye out for the 732 Bus and take the scenic route back to the city.

Comfy in my Dryzzle Futurelight rain jacket by The North Face | @jessleenehme

3. The Organ Pipes Trail

Nearest Train Station: Diggers Rest
Train Line: Sunbury Line
Walk Distance: 3km
Walk Duration: 1.5 hours

The 3km Organ Pipes Trail is a short but completely surreal walk to a rock formation that looks like, you guessed it, organ pipes, located in the Organ Pipes National Park.

Jump on a train from the CBD and depending on the timetable, get off at either Essendon, Sunbury or Diggers Rest Train Stations (Diggers Rest is closest). You used to be able to take the 483 Bus towards Moonee Ponds and get off at the Organ Pipes National Park/Calder Fwy stop, but the stop has been removed. If you still want to take the bus you can jump off at the Keilor Golf Course/Calder Fwy stop and walk 4km back to the Organ Pipes National Park. The easiest option is to grab an Uber from Diggers Rest Train Station.

The loop trail to the pipes is easy to follow and suitable for walkers of all levels, though there is some steep incline in full sun so be mindful if you’re headed there on a warm day. Leave the white sneakers at home too, this ultra accessible Melbourne trail is all dirt.

Picnic benches are available and the views absolutely warrant lazing around on a spring afternoon with cheese and crackers. Bonus points to anyone who finds my favourite tree along the river for a nap – it’s got the perfect bend, and is the best natural piece of furniture I’ve come across.

Read more: Packing List For a Day Hike

They look cool here, but you ain’t seen nothin’ until you’ve seen them in person | @jessleenehme

4. French Island West Coast Wetlands Walk

Nearest Train Station: Stony Point (ferry departs from here too!)
Train Line: Frankston and Stony Point Lines
Walk Distance: 9.6km 
Walk Duration: 3 – 4 hours

The ambitious day tripper will enjoy the challenge of travelling to and completing this gorgeous hike in a long 12 to 14 hour day. But for the rest of us mere mortals, this walk through French Island National Park is best enjoyed as an overnighter, sleeping under our canvas of choice at Fairhaven Campground.

From Melbourne CBD, you’ll need to jump on train to Frankston, switch lines to arrive at Stony Point Train Station, and board the ferry to French Island. Transit time is just over two hours when everything runs on schedule. Book your ferry ticket from Stony Point Jetty to Tankerton Jetty ahead of time, and make sure you arrive 10 minutes before departure.

If you’re really keen to do a day trip but are worried about finishing the loop walk in time, consider hiring a bike (or bringing your own!) from the French Island General Store (1km from Tankerton Jetty where you’ll arrive).

Read more: French Island Overnight Adventure from Melbourne

This view is a pretty compelling argument for staying overnight! | @whentotalkwhentolisten

5. Daylesford Circuit Walk

Nearest Train Station: Daylesford
Train Line: Bendigo and Woodend Lines
Walk Distance: 9km
Walk Duration: 3-4 hours

The Daylesford Circuit Walk begins a twenty-minute walk from Daylesford Railway Station, at the local skate park, and takes you on a loop around town. It’s mostly flat and easy to navigate, but you should save this map to prevent taking a wrong turn.

To reach Daylesford, take the Bendigo Line from Melbourne to Woodend Station. From Woodend, take a train to Daylesford. This should only take around 90 minutes.

You can expect to be on the trail for about three hours, making it a great option for a half-day adventure. Plus it leaves some spare time to enjoy spa country and treat yourself before heading back to Melbourne via the same train lines.

If you’d like a longer hike, try the 61km Dry Diggings Track instead. It’s normally completed as a four-day hike, and the terrain is a lot more varied.

Read more: Overnight Hiking Packing List with 20+ Essentials

Photo by @tlwvision via Flickr | License

6. Cape Woolamai Loop Walk

Nearest Bus Stop: Bondi Ave/Vista Drive
Bus Service: Gippsland V/Line Service (V/Line Train can also be convenient)
Walk Distance: 8km
Walk Duration: 3 hours

Cape Woolamai is a great place to go when you know you’re up for an adventure, but you’re not sure exactly what.

Transit time is around two hours and involves jumping on connecting V/Line buses from Southern Cross Train Station to the General Store/Phillip Island Rd bus stop. From here you’ll get on the local 781 Bus towards Wonthaggi, disembarking after three stops at Bondi Ave/Vista Dr. Find the Cape Woolamai car park, swing a left and after 1km of walking along the sand, you’ll be at the trailhead.

The full Cape Woolamai Loop Walk links shorter trails to three landmarks together to make a neat 8km circuit.

If you’d rather go slow to enjoy the panoramic views and pristine sandy beach, hike directly to the Pinnacles (4.5km/1 hour), visit the old granite quarry (6km/2 hours), or head to the iconic Cape Woolamai Beacon instead (6.6km/2.5 hours).

Read more: Phillip Island is a Coastal Antidote to City Life

100% chance you won’t want to leave | @jessleenehme

7. Lilydale to Warburton Rail Trail

Nearest Train Station: Lilydale
Train Line: Lilydale Line
Walk Distance: 38km
Walk Duration: 8-12 hours

This is another beast of a trail that can be tackled as an overnighter. Conveniently, the trail starts immediately behind the station so you can disembark and go!

Rather than completing the full length of this trail over two days, I prefer to shoot there and back in a day, setting myself a time limit based on the return train, and walking as far as I can in that time. If you’re training for a hike or working on improving your fitness, this is a great walk to complete multiple times to measure improvement over time (also called a gauge hike, better explained in this article about nearby Mount Juliet).

As one of the easiest adventures on the list, all you need to do is jump on one train to Lilydale, pop on an episode of the We Are Explorers podcast, and tune out until the train reaches the end of the line – your stop!

As the name suggests the Lilydale to Warburton Rail Trail is also popular with cyclists so do us all a solid and keep the rider-walker relationship peachy by sticking to the left.

Read more: A Guide to Melbourne’s Bike Paths

Photo by @pfctdayelise via Flickr | License

8. Arthurs Seat to Kings Falls Walk

Nearest Train Station: Frankston
Train Line: Frankston Line
Walk Distance: 7.2km
Walk Duration: 90 minutes

It’s a simple train, bus, walk combo to reach Arthurs Seat Lookout for this walk, which incidentally is a combination of other walks.

Take a train to Frankston Railway Station, then transfer to the 788 Bus towards Portsea. Jump off at the Mornington Peninsula Visitor Information Centre on Point Nepean Road, and walk 3.1km (takes just under an hour) to Arthurs Seat. All up it’ll take you just under three hours to get there so you should plan on leaving early.

To find the Arthurs Seat to King Falls Circuit Walk, make a beeline for the Seawinds Garden and follow the Two Bays Trail (yes, this is part of the much bigger 26km Bay Trail hike!) until it intercepts with Kings Falls Track. Follow this to Kings Falls. At this point you’ve got the option to turn around the way you came, or make it a little more interesting and incorporate the Kings Falls Loop on your way back to where you started.

While you’re enjoying one of the best spots on the Mornington Peninsula (with zero dollars down on petrol thank you very much!), don’t forget to pause and dedicate some time to enjoying the killer views from the summit. On a clear day you can see the CBD silhouetted against the sky, and even Mount Macedon!

Read more: Rock Pools, Surfing & Hiking at Mornington Peninsula

What a view! | Photo via Visit Victoria

9. Capital City Trail

Nearest Train Station: Flinders Street
Train Line: City Loop
Walk Distance: 29km
Walk Duration: 4-6 hours

Oh no. The worst has happened. Trains have been cancelled… now what? Do a happy dance because you’ve just been granted permission to do what we always forget to do – explore our own backyard! Or in this case, Melbourne CBD.

The Capital City Trail winds around the CBD, taking in all the headliner sights like the Royal Botanic Gardens, Federation Square, and Melbourne Zoo. It’s easily one of the best Melbourne walks on this list. The best part is that you can join the trail wherever you’d like, and stop off for coffee as many times as your over-caffeinated heart desires.

In the meantime, save this map to your phone for that fateful day the train delays are longer than the list of things you’re avoiding doing with your day outside, and find something new extremely close to home instead.

Read more: Best Walks in Melbourne

The unexpected perk of this trail is that as a shared bike trail there are precious few roads to cross | Photo by @philipmallis via Flickr | License

10. The Bay Trail

Nearest Train Station: Williamstown and Altona
Train Line: Williamstown Line
Walk Distance: 23km (one-way)
Walk Duration: 4-5 hours

The Bay Trail starts in Williamstown, passes through Altona, and finishes in Point Cook. Along the way you’ll have the chance to laze on the beach, walk through mangroves in the Jawbone Marine Sanctuary, and stop for lunch at a beachside cafe. The trail itself is generally flat, and wide, so it’s perfect to enjoy with a few friends for an active catch-up.

Don’t miss the hectic lookout provided by the Cheetham Wetlands Observation Tower towards the end either. The views are mint and the structure itself is all kinds of unique.

Catch a train from the CBD to Williamstown Train Station to find the trailhead of The Bay Trail. If you just want to walk half, Altona Train Station is conveniently about halfway along so it’s very convenient to get back home.

At the end of the trail, catch the 497 Bus from Jansar St/Saltwater Prom bus stop back to Williams Landing Train Station and jump on the next train to the CBD.

Read more: Combine History and Stunning Views on the 23km Bay Trail in Melbourne’s Western Suburbs

This trail is full of variety no matter what time of day you choose to walk it | Photo by @fernando via Flickr | License

FAQs Best Melbourne Walks Accessible by Public Transport

How do I get to the best Melbourne walks without a car?

Thanks to public transport you’ve got plenty of ways to reach the best Melbourne walks if you don’t have four wheels. Jump on a bike. Utilise the free City Circle Tram. Or load up your Myki to travel using trains and buses.

What’s the easiest walk to get to from Melbourne?

The easiest walks and hikes to get to from Melbourne are those that are in the CBD! Try the Capital City Trail, walk around the Botanic Gardens or check out this list of the best walks Melbourne has to offer.

Where’s the free tram zone in Melbourne?

The city’s Free Tram Zone falls between Federation Square, Docklands, Spring St, and Queen Victoria Market. Save this map to your phone so you can reach the best walks Melbourne has in the city. Top tip – start with the parks and gardens!.

Keep Your Adventurous Spirit Alive

• The 10 Best Day Hikes in Victoria
• Melbourne Microadventures to Tick Off Your List
• Adventures in Melbourne’s City Limits
• Best Day Trips From Melbourne

Header image by @tlwvision via Flickr | License

Table of contents image by @jessleenehme