Melbourne’s best family bike-riding tracks to try this weekend

Lockdown means we can’t stray too far from home, but locals can still get on their bike and make the most of these family riding trails in their area this weekend. 41 DAYS TO GO.

The Bay Trail between Sandown Street and the Royal Brighton Yacht Club in Brighton. Picture: Wayne Taylor

Six weeks stuck at home seems like a lifetime right now, but we’ve got you covered for daily entertainment.

Lockdown Life, a digital subscriber special, will give you a five minute brain break each day from coronavirus and arm you with some handy tips as well on keeping the family busy with movies to watch and bike rides to enjoy, and the adults well stocked with wine and recipes ideas — just to name a few.

So keep an eye out each lunchtime online.

Today we share some of Melbourne’s best family bike-riding tracks.

Lockdown Life 41 days to go

Mal and Diane Poulton, the Spence's Simone, Owen, 4, and Ethan, 6, and Lauren Howes, 22, on Remi on the Lilydale to Warburton Rail Trail.

LILYDALE TO WARBURTON RAIL TRAIL

This is one of Australia’s iconic rail trails which travels through the Yarra Valley between the Dandenong Ranges and the Great Dividing Ranges. Start the scenic route at the Lilydale Railway Station, following the historic railway before finishing in Warburton.

Travel Time: One way, 3 to 4 hours, 38km

Difficulty: Easy

Capital City Trail at the Docklands. Picture: Jake Nowakowski

CAPITAL CITY TRAIL

Travelling past some of Melbourne’s main attractions, the path follows the Yarra River east towards Docklands. You can also travel east along the Main Yarra Trail through urban bushlands to Dights Falls.

Travel Time: Loop, 4 hours, 29.6km

Difficulty: Easy

Maribyrnong River Trail.

MARIBYRNONG RIVER TRAIL

Starting and finishing in Southbank, this track follows the Maribyrnong River through inner west suburbs past the historic Polly Woodside sailing ship, Pipemakers Park and the Lily St scenic lookout.

Travel Time: Loop, 3 hours, 25km

D ifficulty: East to medium

Merri Creek Trail.

MERRI CREEK TRAIL

Winding along Merri Creek, the trail begins at Dights Falls in Yarra Bend Park and onto Melbourne’s northern suburbs to the Western Ring Road Trail passing the Abbotsford Convent precinct and CERES community park.

Travel Time: One way, 1 to 2 hours, 21km

Difficulty: Easy

John and Barbara Cormack riding along the Ringwood part of the EastLink Trail.

DANDENONG CREEK TRAIL AND EASTLINK TRAIL

The EastLink trail forms Melbourne’s longest sealed bike path using existing paths to take riders from Carrum through to wetlands, parks and natural bushland and the city centre. Winding through the Mullum Mullum valley the path heads south to join the Dandenong Creek Trail.

Travel Time: One way, 49km

Difficulty: Intermediate

Katie Rowe, Nicky Ridgers, and Tina McCarthy are riding along the Gardiners Creek Trail, Burwood, near Deakin University. Picture: Steve Tanner

GARDINERS CREEK TRAIL

This popular commuter path runs between Melbourne’s southeastern suburbs and the city centre. Connecting with the Capital City Trail, the return trip begins at Heyington train station in Toorak following Gardiners Creek through parkland to Blackburn train station.

Travel Time: One way, 2 hours, 17km

Difficulty: Easy

A woman runs along the Main Yarra Trail in Heidelberg. Picture: Andy Brownbill

MAIN YARRA TRAIL

Starting in Southbank, this cycling track follows the riverside path away from the city passing gum trees to Templestowe ending at the start of the Mullum Mullum Creek Trail. The path between Cremorne Rail Bridge and Punt Rd Bridge is currently closed for removal works.

Travel Time: One way, 5 hours, 33km

Difficulty: East to medium

The Mullum Mullum Creek Trail to Ringwood Lake and return. Picture: Steve Tanner

MULLUM MULLUM TRAIL

Appealing to nature lovers, this trail is abundant with natural flora and opportunities to bird watch, see frogs in wetlands and spot the occasional koala. For a longer circuit, the Koonung Trail and Main Yarra Trail at Templestowe can be connected.

Travel Time: Loop, 18.5km

Difficulty: Easy

View of the Plenty River Trail in Viewbank, Victoria, Australia. Picture: Hamish Blair

PLENTY RIVER TRAIL

Starting north of the Western Ring Road in Greensborough, this trail covers a range of landscapes from towering eucalyptus trees to landscaped parklands. It passes through art installations and the historic bluestone bridge at the Heidelberg Rd finish.

Travel Time: One way, 12.3km

Difficulty: Medium

The Bay Trail between Sandown Street and the Royal Brighton Yacht Club in Brighton. Picture: Wayne Taylor.

THE BAY TRAIL

Starting along the foreshore from Head St in Brighton, this seaside route passes gardens, playgrounds, heritage beach boxes up to Red Bluff to take in view of Half Moon Bay before ending in Beaumaris.

Travel Time: One way, 1.5 hours, 17km

Difficulty: Easy

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