With its parklands, gardens, rivers, and coastal bays, Melbourne is a great place to explore on foot. Whether a casual stroll along the Yarra River, a wander through the Botanic Gardens, or a more challenging hiking trail somewhere a little beyond the city limits. You don’t have to journey far from the city to experience some of Melbourne’s best walks.
We’ve pulled together just a few of our favourite Melbourne walks. These include walks from city, out through the suburbs, and a few of our favourite hiking day trips near Melbourne too.
Each walk or hike on this list takes between an hour and a day. Whether you’re visiting Melbourne on a holiday, or you’re a local looking to bring a bit of adventure to your lunch break or weekend, these walking tracks will help you make the most of your time in Melbourne.
Melbourne Walks
These Melbourne walks offer something for everyone. Whether you have a single hour or an entire day, from easy short walks to more challenging longer hikes.
Southbank Promenade
Stroll the banks of the Yarra River, start near Flinders Street Station and Federation Square. You’ll enjoy a leisurely walk along the river with plenty of spots to stop off to enjoy the view with a cuppa.
Main Yarra Trail
This trail is a 33km cycle-way and starts (or ends, depending on your route) at Flinders Street Station. The Main Yarra Trail heads out of the city to Eltham, roughly following the Yarra River. The upper reaches of this trail wind through beautiful bushland.
Fitzroy Gardens
Take a walk in the park at Fitzroy Gardens. Be sure to stop into the Conservatory to take a peek at the flowers in bloom. Stretch your legs out with a walk to the other side of the park for a picnic lunch at the Old Bandstand, built in 1864 and once used for musical performances.
Flagstaff Gardens
This is the perfect spot for a stroll and a picnic after a morning spent at the nearby Queen Victoria Markets.
Royal Botanic Gardens
You could spend days exploring the Royal Botanic Gardens. Pick a path and wander, or circle the gardens on The Tan. Established in 1846, the gardens are now home to 8500 plant species. Be sure to take a look at Guilfoyle’s Volcano, a rather unique-looking water reservoir built in 1876 to store water for the gardens.
Albert Park
Located between central Melbourne and St Kilda, at Albert Park you can enjoy a walk on the easy 5km lakeside track.
Capital City Trail
This 29km loop around central Melbourne is a cycle track. It is a composite of a number of other tracks and will take you past many of Melbourne’s noted attractions before following a section of the old Inner Circle Railway.
Herring Island Sculpture Trail
This is a Melbourne walking track with a difference, located on a small island in the Yarra (accessed via boat), it is a loop track via impressive sculptures.
Dights Falls Loop Trail
A short way out of central Melbourne in Yarra Bend park you’ll find the Dights Falls Loop Trail. This is a scenic 4.2km walk where you’ll enjoy views of the bushland, river, and Dights Falls.
Hikes Near Melbourne
Taking a walk in central Melbourne and its inner suburbs is the perfect fix when you only have an hour two to work with. But if you have a day up your sleeve, these hikes near Melbourne are well worth the day trip out of town…
Great Ocean Walk
You’ve no doubt heard about the Great Ocean Road, but what about the Great Ocean Walk? This is an epic multi-day coastal walking track stretching around 100km between Apollo Bay and the 12 Apostles. On this track you experience incredible ocean views, beaches, cliffs, coastal heathland, bushland, and forest too. You can take your tent and camp out, stay in the towns along the way, or walk sections as day hikes. Experience the last section of the Great Ocean Walk on our 12 Apostles Day Tour.
Does the Mt Oberon Summit offer the best coastal view in Victoria? We reckon it’s right up there. Literally. The Mt Oberon Summit walk is 6.8km return, with a steady incline to the summit and an epic view from the top. From the summit you’ll score panoramic ocean views over Tidal River. This is the quintessential Wilsons Prom hike and we would argue, the best way to see Wilsons Prom. Experience the Mt Oberon Summit Walk on our Wilsons Prom Day Tour.
The Pinnacle hike
This 4.2km return hiking track runs via some of the most iconic natural landscapes in The Grampians including Grand Canyon, Silent Street, and the lookout that gives this hike its name — The Pinnacle. From The Pinnacle you’ll have unbeatable views over Halls Gap and surrounding bushland of the Grampians National Park. Experience The Pinnacle hike on our Grampians Day Tour.
Phillip Island is home to a rugged coastline dotted with spectacular rock formations known as the Pinnacles in the ocean’s shallows. Cape Woolamai itself is the highest point on Phillip Island. This hike allows you to experience the coastal beauty and ocean views from soaring heights. Experience the Cape Woolamai Walk on our Phillip Island Day Tour.
Bushrangers Bay Track
Take this Mornington Peninsula walking track to the beach and cliffs of Bushrangers Bay. This picturesque piece of coast is said to take its name from a couple of convicts who travelled through the region in the mid 1800s. The pair went on the run before being captured and meeting an untimely demise at the hands of their colonial captors.
These days Bushrangers Bay is frequented by hikers and tourists rather than Bushrangers. But its dramatic coastline makes for the perfect spot to take in the grandiose natural landscape and all of its stories. Take the Bushrangers Bay Track to experience sweeping ocean views. And be sure to check out the lighthouse and former lighthouse keeper’s residence at Cape Schanck, built back in 1859. Experience the Bushrangers Bay Track on our Mornington Peninsula Day Tour (and enjoy a soak in the Peninsula Hot Springs to unwind post-hike!).
Beauchamp Falls hike
Tucked away in the Beech Forest among mossy giant trees and ferns is the incredible Beauchamp Falls. Standing tall, this waterfall in the Great Otway National Park is a great spot to take a break and stretch your legs when driving the Great Ocean Road. The walk from the picnic area will take you between 30 minutes and an hour depending on your fitness. Experience the walk to Beauchamp Falls on our 12 Apostles, Great Otways & Great Ocean Road Day Tour.
MacKenzie Falls Walk
If you’re into waterfalls, this walking track is the one for you. You can do this hike any time of year, MacKenzie Falls flows all year long. The track is short and sharp, just 2km long, but steep. With the sensational Mackenzie Falls as your destination, the hike is well worthwhile. Experience the MacKenzie Falls Walk on our Grampians Day Tour.
Book your next hiking adventure today! Melbourne day trips to the best destinations Victoria has to offer.