Melbourne Metro Bike Track

There are a couple of areas only a few kilometres from the CBD where you can ride singletrack. The Yarra River winds its way out of Melbourne in a north-easterly direction. The Yarra Trail is a mixture of multi-use bikepath and twisty singletrack winding its way along the river. The bikepath starts from Southbank in the city, and you can pick up the singletrack around Collingwood, but it’s not easy to find.

A good place to start is the Fairfield Boathouse. Cross the bridge and look for the singletrack on the right. Riding along the bush setting of the Yarra River, you wouldn’t even know that you were near the city if it wasn’t for the occasional hum of traffic, (other than where the bike track rides alongside the freeway).

The Yarra Trail is a lot of little sections of singletrack coming off the main Yarra Trail. It is very narrow in sections and in places a steep drop nto the river, which riders have been known to end up in. Bruce’s or Keyhole Loop is a fun circuit along the way near Heidleberg, a great way to get your MTB-fix during the week.

The trail makes its way all the way out to Westerfolds Park in Templestowe, about 25km north-east of the city. Westerfolds Park is managed by Parks Victoria and has some designated singletrack. The best known track is Hans Loop or the Pink Ribbon trail at Candlebark Park. It has little climbing and lots of fun, winding singletrack.

Getting There

A good place to get onto the Yarra Trail is from the historic Fairfield boathouse. Access via Heidleberg Road, Fairfield. Fitzroy Revolution Social Rides meet on the bridge and pipe crossing of the river on Tuesday evenings.

Westerfolds Park is in Templestowe. You can drive and park there. Take the second exit off Fitzsimons Lane. The carpark is on the other side of the bridge.

Access to Westgate Park is via the Todd Road exit from the Westgate Bridge, or the bikepath from St Kilda passes Westgate Park on the way to Southbank.

Technical Nature

Ranging from tight and twisty narrow singletrack along the river to bikepath.

You’ll Need

A dose of caffeine to begin with. This is Melbourne after all.

Distances

The Yarra Trail from Collingwood out to Westerfolds Park is around 50km return. Westerfolds and Westgate park both have short sections of singletrack.

Local Knowledge

Look out for the flying fox colony along the Yarra River.

Best Time of Year

Anytime. Melbourne is known for its ‘four seasons in a day’ weather. You can get any weather at anytime.