The best MTB trails in Galada Tamboore And Marran Baba Parklands

Darebin Creek Bridge passes under Heidelberg Road at Sparks Reserve. Walkers and bikers passing under the road here can get right next to Darebin Creek and follow alongside it, headed either north or south.

Main Yarra Trail is a long, shared walking and cycling path that follows the Yarra River through a chain of parks and reserves, running roughly 33–35 kilometres from the inner city to the eastern suburbs. The route is mostly sealed with some gravel sections, weaving between urban riverbanks, bushland, and open floodplain scenery. Popular among both walkers and cyclists for recreation and commuting, it’s one of the city’s longest continuous off-road routes and is the backbone of Melbourne’s trail network.

The Main Yarra Trail follows the Yarra River through parklands, wetlands, and bush corridors across Melbourne’s north-east, linking Banyule Flats with Yarra Valley Parklands and beyond. Around this section, the trail passes billabongs, reed beds, grassy floodplains, and old River Red Gums beside the river, with a mix of sealed and gravel surfaces underfoot. It’s a shared path popular with walkers, runners, and cyclists.

The Banyule Swamp and the Yarra River were originally occupied by the Wurundjeri people until 1838 during the earliest rural allotments. Today you can explore the area and see old farm equipment as well as exotic historic vegetation, swamps, billabongs, and parklands.

Darebin Parklands is a beautiful bushland reserve in Alphington set within a natural bend of Darebin Creek. Surrounded by red gum woodland, the walking tracks and open grassy areas create a peaceful natural pocket close to the inner city. The parklands are also important for birdlife and ecological restoration, with ongoing efforts to protect and re-establish native vegetation along the creek corridor.

Darebin Creek Trail is a popular shared walking and cycling path in Melbourne’s northern suburbs that follows Darebin Creek for about 25 kilometres from near the Yarra River up toward Epping and South Morang. It passes through a mix of bushland reserves, wetlands, parks, and suburban areas, including places like Darebin Parklands, Preston, Reservoir, and Bundoora Park. The trail is mostly flat and is a lovely mix of natural sections near the creek and urban settings closer to residential and industrial locations.

This beautiful park is a revitalised floodplain wetland along the Maribyrnong River, created to improve water quality and foster local biodiversity. There are picnic areas and a network of boardwalks and shared pathways throughout the grounds, where you can explore the area and observe the diverse birdlife and native plant species up close. This peaceful, nature-focused space is connected to the Maribyrnong River Trail, making it the perfect spot for a quiet escape amid the bustling surrounding urban environment.

Maribyrnong River Trail is a great multi-use path that follows the river for roughly 25 kilometres, connecting the inner suburbs to Melbourne’s northwest. The trail combines sealed paths with riverside scenery, passing parks, wetlands, and historical sites along the way. It’s relatively flat and easy, making it an ideal route for both casual walkers and longer-distance cyclists.