Biking in the Melbourne Area

August 7, 2008

Skiers who come to Kangaroohoppet from other continents often plan a visit of Australia in their program. The Red Centre, the Great Barrier Reef and the main cities Sydney and Melbourne are frequent objects of such visits.

If you are making just a short stay in Melbourne, but wish to include some sport in it, here are some hints on biking along the Yarra river. The bike rental is located at Federation Wharf, off Federation Square, a short walk from Frances Bridge and the Flinders Street Station. Rates range from 15 AUD (10 Euros) for one hour to 35 AUD (25 Euros) a day. Mandatory helmets are included.

Cross the bridge and take the walking/jogging/cycling trail on the south bank of the river eastwards. On the first couple of km it is crowded by leisurely pedestrians. You see rowing clubs preparing or using their boats, and you have fine views on the downtown buildings. Later you see luxury homes and gardens. Turn back when you have spent half of the time you planned for the tour.

Another solution is to take the train to a city along the Yarra river and bike from there to Melbourne. For example, if you have half a day, you can decide to travel by train to Heidelberg. At Flinders Street Station you can buy the ticket (you are allowed to take the bike in the train for no extra fee, Australia is a country favorable to sports practitioners!) and go to Platform 1. The destinations of the trains are indicated on the wall. In Heidelberg you have to bike about 1 km to find the Yarra Trail. Maybe you don’t even need to ask: go in the direction where the terrain is lower. The Yarra Trail mostly follows the river bank but in some places there are steps to walk up or down. The trail is sealed on almost the whole length. In the Heidelberg area there are posters with data about painters or farmers who worked there a century ago. From Heidelberg to Melbourne the distance is about 28 km. With the stops for admiring the views and taking pictures it requires maybe 2.5 hours. Midway you have to climb a hill from the top of which you can see the Melbourne skyscrapers. Approaching downtown you see also boats that offer cruises on the river, but that is maybe of interest only to non-athletic people.

This page was last revised on October 15, 2008