Let’s face it, unless you are hopelessly addicted to an adrenaline rush, your thrill-seeking adventures are probably behind you.
And that’s okay, there’s a lot to be said for taking the slow road, drinking in the surroundings and setting your own pace.
With that in mind, we have taken a look at some of the best walks you can do around Melbourne, from the leisurely to the spectacular.
Here are some of our favourites.
Elwood to Sandringham
Distance: 9km.
Melbourne beaches quite rightly don’t have the cachet of Sydney’s, but that doesn’t mean they aren’t without their charm. This beach walk takes in some of the best city beaches, including cosmopolitan St Kilda and Brighton’s ‘Golden Mile’ stretch that showcases some of Australia’s most lavish houses.
Known for: Brighton beach bathing boxes, one of Australia’s most photographed tourist attractions.
While you are there: Break your walk with fish and chips or a refreshing beverage, and do some people watching with the posh locals at the Middle Brighton Baths.
Top tip: Take the Elwood to Sandringham direction, then you can jump on the Sandringham train back into the city. If even that’s too far, Hampton Station is also close to the beach trail.
Yarra Trail
Distance: Depending on who you ask, anywhere between 23 to 38km.
As the name implies, this trail travels along the Yarra River from the city to Eltham, or maybe even Templestowe. No-one seems to agree on an official start and finish, hence the lack of clarity about how long it is.
Unless you are a super freaky walker, you probably won’t want to do it all, certainly not in one day. A section or two is a great way to get back to nature in the heart of the city.
Known for: Beautiful riverfront houses, the ambitiously named Dights Falls, perhaps the world’s smallest ‘waterfall’, and once you get out of town a bit, the divine sights and smells of gum trees.
While you are there: The gorgeous Fairfield Park Boathouse restaurant is a great way to reward yourself for a walk well done.
Top tip: Leads to numerous other trails, so do a bit of research if you want to get even more off the beaten track.
Sherbrooke Falls Loop
Distance: 2.7km.
This walk is a bit like stepping into a fairytale. It is temperate rainforest territory. Towering trees cast shadows over lush undergrowth with a babbling brook, otherwise known as the Sherbrooke Creek, thrown in for good measure. And when I say towering trees, I’m not messing around, the big ones are mountain ash, the world’s largest flowering tree. And the waterfall, once again, nothing too spectacular height-wise, but beautiful all the same.
Known for: Bird life, including high chances of seeing a lyrebird.
While you are there: Check out the nearby teahouses in Olinda and Sassafras.
Top tip: Being a temperate rainforest, the weather will almost certainly be colder and wetter than Melbourne, so be sure to dress accordingly.
Darebin Creek Trail
Distance: 58km.
Another whopper, but once again no-one expects to traverse the whole distance and there are plenty of places to hop on and off. Also many food and drink options in the surrounding suburbs if you need a break.
Known for: Finding a bit of peace in a busy city setting.
While you are there: The northern suburbs have some of the best cuisine in Melbourne. Do a bit of research and you could combine beautiful food and a stout bit of exercise to walk it all off.
Top tip: If you want a taste of the whole walk, try the Darebin Creek Trail Day Hike itinerary at just under 9km.
Point Nepean National Park
Distance: Depends on what you feel like.
Point Nepean is steeped in history, with walks to match. At various points it hosted a quarantine station, an officer training school, an army health school and at one stage was the most heavily fortified fort in the Southern Hemisphere.
My advice would be to grab a free map at the visitor centre, take the hop-on, hop-off bus to the southernmost point and walk back to your car. You can choose a variety of walks from the map, taking in the decommissioned fortifications, settlers’ huts, the heartbreaking cemetery with many shipwreck victims or simply stroll along the beach.
Known for: Some of the best views in Victoria of the Mornington Peninsula out to the Port Phillip Bay Heads.
While you are there: Pretend you are rich and enjoy a meal at the Portsea Hotel, or considering the prices, maybe just a beer.
Top tip: Take the ferry from nearby Sorrento to Queenscliff for a charming day tour.
Have you been on any of these walks? Could you recommend any others? We’d love to hear about it in the comments section below?
