BACKGROUND

There are two important shared trails for pedestrians and cyclists passing through the Parklands.

 

Main Yarra Trail
This is on the south side of the River. It starts from near the Yarra's mouth, through the city and suburbs to Westerfolds Park and Eltham. The Capital City Trail uses the same path up to Dights Falls, where it continues up the Merri Creek Trail as part of its loop around the city.

 

It terminates at the junction of the Mullum Mullum Creek Trail in Templestowe.

 

From the west, the Trail enters the Middle Yarra Parklands at the Chandler Highway (Kew). A pedestrian underpass at the Chandler Highway Bridge avoids the dense traffic on the Highway.

 

The Trail then enters the Willsmere-Chandler Park adjacent to the Guide Dogs of Victoria centre, then runs between the Yarra and the Eastern Freeway, passing the Kew Billabong.

 

It continues to Belford Rd, then alongside the Freeway, next to the Kew Golf Course boundary fence. There are nice views across the Golf Range and Simpsons Lake, reaching the Burke Rd Billabong Reserve. Passing the Billabong (dry at the time of writing), it continues to the junction of the Koonung Creek Trail, then on a suspension bridge over the Yarra, and along the north side of the Yarra, through a tunnel under Burke Rd.

 

East of the Bridge, the Trail continues in the Yarra Parklands, towards Templestowe.

 

Yarra Trail

This pathway is on the northern side of the river. It starts at the car park adjacent the Eaglemont Tennis Courts, next to the Burke Rd Bridge. It then follows the river, passing the Ivanhoe Golf Club, and reaching Chelsworth Park, then through Wilson Reserve, past Bailey's Billabong, Horseshoe Billabong Reserve, and terminating at the Wilson Reserve car park and picnic area.

 

Other Trails

Several unmarked and unsigned trails and pathways lead off from the Main Yarra and Yarra Trails, including those located around billabongs, lagoons, wetlands and natural features. Revegetation plantings may be seen, managed by local Frends/Community/Landcare groups