By Justin Meneguzzi
Merri Creek flows through much of the inner Melbourne suburbs and joins the Yarra River.Credit: iStock
From storied Indigenous trails to heart pumping mountain climbs, you don't need to travel far for these great hikes just one hour or less from Melbourne's CBD.
Merri Creek Trail
One of Melbourne's most popular day walks is right on the city's doorstep. The 19-kilometre Merri Creek Trail, which starts in Fawkner and ends in Clifton Hill, follows a meandering waterway as it winds through the northern suburbs. Along the way you'll pass bubbling waterfalls, restored wetlands filled with white herons, a suspension bridge, and BBQ areas to rest your feet. Stop in at the lively community hub at CERES, which is home to an organic café, bookstore and bakery, as well as the historic Abbotsford Convent just after the trail's end.
See darebin.vic.gov.au.
Flinders Peak Walk
Credit: Visit Victoria
Clocking in at just over an hour return at a good pace, the 3.2 kilometre Flinders Peak Walk in You Yangs Regional Park is short yet mighty. From the trailhead at Turntable carpark, 450 steps take you to highest point in the You Yangs with views as far as Geelong and Port Philip. Near the top you can also spot the Bunjil Geoglyph – a large rock sculpture of Bunjil, the creator spirit of the Wathaurong people, depicted as a wedge-tailed eagle. The track is dog-friendly (leash required) and there are BBQ facilities in the carpark for a post-hike picnic.
See parks.vic.gov.au.
Werribee Gorge Circuit Walk
Credit: Alamy
A challenging mix of dirt tracks, uphill climbs and rock ledges (with assisting cable rails) will keep you on your toes during the 10-kilometre Werribee Gorge Circuit Walk. The looped track starts at the Meikles Point picnic area and can be done in either direction, but it's a good idea to walk anticlockwise and complete the steepest sections first. Afterwards, hike beneath eucalypts through the gorge and keep an eye on the Werribee River for signs of platypus. Remember to pack your swimmers and reward yourself with a dip at one of the river beaches.
See parks.vic.gov.au.
The Bayside Coastal Indigenous Trail
The coastal walking paths between Brighton and Beaumaris were followed by Boon Wurrung women for thousands of years as they journeyed to their meeting places. While the lagoons, swamps and grasslands of that era may be gone, today the 17-kilometre trail features interpretive signs and sculptures from contemporary Indigenous artists that draw from the stories of Boon Wurrung Elder, Carolyn Briggs. See middens and ochre pits scattered along on the trail, learn about the importance of eel migration to the Boon Wurrung clans, and discover why the emu is a cursed bird.
See bayside.vic.gov.au.
The Dandenong Ranges
The lush and wildly popular 1,000 Steps Walk (officially known as the Kokoda Track Memorial Walk) was a magnet for activity-starved Melbournians during back-to-back lockdowns. Sadly, the trail was closed in June 2021 following severe storm damage but was recently reopened to the public in October 2022. If calf-burning stair climbs aren't your thing, the nearby Sherbrooke Falls Trail (one hour, return) is a quieter walk beneath spectacular Mountain Ash trees and giant ferns. The best time to visit is after rain when the sweet smell of petrichor fills the air and lyrebirds come out to forage.
Hobsons Bay Coastal Trail
Starting beneath the rumbling Westgate Bridge and ending besides a peaceful creek, the 23-kilometre Hobsons Bay Coastal Trail blends sandy beaches, maritime history, architectural gems, and public works from notable Melbourne artists. Fuel up for the day at cafe Duchess of Spotswood then follow the coast to Williamstown's 174-year-old Timeball Tower, one of only five remaining in the world. Detour through the Botanic Gardens or pause to explore the rock pools at Jawbone Marine Sanctuary, then stop to admire Pauline Fraser's Seaborn, a larger-than-life collection of marine animals cast in bronze and steel at Altona Pier.
See also: Six of the best things to do in Australia's mountains this summer
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