Bicycle Network: Where to Ride

Description

Approximately 25kms in length, the trail begins in Docklands on Footscray Road and follows the Moonee Ponds creek under and around the Tullamarine Freeway.

Map

Route Description

The southern end starts at Docklands and follows the Moonee Ponds Creek to Woodlands Homestead and Melbourne Airport. We've described the route from the city to the airport.

Docklands to Flemington Bridge (Capital City Trail intersection)

Using Docklands stadium as a landmark, ride along the shared path that runs along the waterfront, paralell to Harbour Esplanade. (See photo - left).

Follow the path which runs alongside Footscray Rd until you reach the Moonee Ponds Creek and the CityLink off-ramps (Melway 2E C1). You will need to cross Footscray Rd at this point.

The Moonee Ponds Creek will be on your left as you ride along the good quality concrete path built by CityLink. Underpasses will take you under Dynan Rd (see photo - right), Arden St and Macaulay Rd.

Eventually you will reach Flemington Rd and the ramp to Flemington Bridge station will be on your right. For those wanting to follow the Capital City Trail, go up the ramp towards the station. Otherwise, turn left and go over the road bridge to the other side of the creek.

Take the first trail on your left which curves underneath the bridge and follows the creek northwards "to Moonee Valley".

Flemington Bridge to Boeing Reserve, Strathmore

The trail continues northward under the freeway with the creek on your right. It passes through Travancore Park (Melway 29 B11). The creek is concreted through much of this section and the path runs above creek level.

At Dean St keep close to the creek and follow the concrete path under the bridge (Melway 29 B8). The trail eventually leaves CityLink as the creek turns westward. The surface changes from concrete to bitumen and is narrow in places.

At Vanberg St the trail leaves the creek and you will need to ride along some back streets for a short distance before rejoining the trail at Primrose St (Melway 28 K4)

The creek is in a more natural state through this section (see photo - left) and the trail continues north until it meets up again with the CityLink freeway near Bell St.

Continue to follow the creek until you reach Boeing Reserve in Strathmore Heights (Melway 16 D5).

Boeing Reserve to Jacana Wetlands (Western Ring Path intersection)

From Boeing Reserve cross over the creek (don't take the path that continues up the left side of the creek as it runs out). On the other side of the creek continue northwards (the creek will now be on your left) until you reach Jacana Wetlands (Melway 6 E11).

The trail passes under the Western Ring Rd and there is a bridge on the other side. If you want to go onto the Western Ring Path turn right at the bridge and go up the slope to Eleanor St. Jacana Station is on the other side of the Ring Road.

To stay on the Moonee Ponds Creek Trail cross the bridge to the western side of the creek and continue northwards. The creek will now be on your right.

Jacana Wetlands to Melbourne Airport & Woodlands homestead

Continue northward through the wetlands. Don't take the bridge that crosses the creek (unless you want to follow the trail through Broadmeadows Valley Park to Roxburgh Park) and continue along the left side of the creek (Melway 6 D8).

There is another short on-road section along Grundy St into Bent St in Westmeadows (between Fawkner St and Mickleham Rd - Melway 5 K6). Cross under Mickleham Rd bridge and continue along the trail all the way to Woodlands Historic Park.

Turn left at the end of the trail onto a gravel road near the flight positioning towers. Follow this up the hill and to the left and jump the gate to follow Marker Rd. Follow this under the freeway into the airport grounds (Melway 5 D3).