Top 5 Sightseeing Walks in Melbourne

You’re never going to get an appreciation for why Melbourne has been repeatedly voted “The World’s Most Liveable City” by sitting in the car. You need to walk around to really get a feel for her varied architecture, landscapes and neighbourhoods.

Among our favourite things to do in Melbourne, here are 5 of the best ways to get some fresh air, a little exercise and see Melbourne at her very finest. All of the walks are “easy”, meaning you won’t need any fancy footwear or a particularly high fitness level to enjoy the stroll. We also recommend doing a free walking tour of Melbourne during your stay if your are visiting.

Let’s get into some sightseeing walks in Melbourne.

1. The Capital City Trail
If you want to get to know Melbourne up close, start with any or all of the Capital City Trail. It is essentially an urban loop that circles for about 30 km around the inner-city. You will pass all of Melbourne’s most renown and picturesque landmarks including the Botanical Gardens, the Arts Centre and Dight Falls.

If you are feeling energetic and want to walk the entire trail, start at Southbank. You will be following the Yarra River, overlapping with parts of the Yarra Trail as you set out. If you have the time, taking a punt over to the Herring Island Environmental Sculpture Park is well worth the effort.

The trail then follows the old Inner Circle Railway Line through Royal Park, and on towards Docklands. The Inner Circle Line opened in 1888 and ran steam engines out of Spencer Street Station to what are now the inner suburbs. The line was officially closed in 1981 and the tracks removed, making way for this stretch of the Inner City Trail. There’s lots of shopping and things to see on the entire length of the trail, so even though you can walk it comfortably in four hours, you may want to give yourself the whole day to cover the circuit.
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2. The Yarra Trail
The source of the Yarra River lies deep within the Yarra Ranges, 242 km from where it flows into Port Philip Bay in Melbourne. A shared pedestrian/cyclist path winds from the mouth of the Yarra to Eltham, where the river merges with the waters of Mullum Mullum Creek. Almost 40 km of easy walking through natural bushland and beautiful parks, sheltered from the city’s noise and commotion.

Walking the Yarra Trail will initially take you through the central business district and provide access to the MCG, Federation Square and Como House along with dozens of other points of interest as it overlaps with the Capital City Trail. Further out, you’ll get the chance to see replica paintings by artists of the Heidelberg School, displayed in their original settings, at four locations along the way. The path starts just to the north of West Gate Bridge. If you don’t want to walk the entire trail, there are multiple entry points from which you can easily access and exit the path. More info about the path.
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3. The Bay Trail
It’s a 50 km walk from Seaford to Port Melbourne, following the coastline along Port Phillip Bay. The trail officially starts near the Seaford Railway Station at the Edith-Seaford Wetlands viewing platform, and runs all the way to the West Gate Bridge in Port Melbourne. If you just want a leisurely walk with captivating views of the coastline, try the 6km portion from St. Kilda to Brighton.

You’ll start at the St. Kilda Pier. Built in 1904, the pier provides a stunning view of the Melbourne skyline, and an opportunity to spot penguins from the breakwater. From there, you’ll head towards Luna Park with its roller coasters, rides and carnival games. Make sure to make a quick stop at Ackland street where the cafes specialise in cakes and treats. Along the way, you’re bound to see plenty of boats out on the water, and a really lovely stretch of coast.

4. The Bayside Coastal Art Trail
If you’re only just getting warmed up and want to keep going, Brighton marks the beginning of a 17km walk along red cliffs dotted with some 90 interpretive signs that celebrate the works of Australian artists. If you took the Yarra Trail, you’ll be familiar with the Heidelberg School and will again see depictions of their art in the spot where the original works were painted. One of the trail highlights is the work of Australia’s indigenous artists, based on the stories of Carolyn Briggs, a Boon wurrung elder.

If you can tear your eyes away from the paintings, you’ll see exactly why this stretch of coastline was so popular with the artist community. Vivid red rock, hidden coves and pounding surf. The trail ends at Beaumaris, but if you need to stop along the way, there are lots of cafes and watering holes to explore. More information on the official brochure.
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By Cookaa CC BY-SA 3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0)], via Wikimedia Commons

5. The Royal Botanic Gardens Trail
Established in 1846 on the south bank of the Yarra River, these gardens are truly world-class. You can wander through almost 40 hectares of ever changing terrain, adorned with over 12,000 different species of native and exotic plants. If you’re new to the country and think we can only grow rhododendrons, you really need to walk this winding 3km trail.

As an added bonus, the Botanic Gardens provide an urban sanctuary for an array of Australian wildlife. You can hear the call of bell birds, cockatoos and kookaburras, while admiring the matching pairs of regal black swans. The Gardens are also encircled by ‘The Tan,’ a 3.8 km repurposed horse-track, originally built for Melbourne’s high society but now a popular venue for local joggers. Yes, you’re still allowed on if you’re only walking.

These five sightseeing walks in Melbourne provide you with a cross sampling of the city’s urban attractions and coastal beauty. Along your journey, whichever you may choose, you will find the start of other trails that spread through Melbourne’s parks, streets, and preserved bushland. If you’re looking for further challenges, there are dozens of scenic walks within an hour of Melbourne that may require a little more effort, but provide spectacular rewards.

Happy trails.

Featured image at the top of “Top 5 Sightseeing Walks in Melbourne” – @firstnameeka