Bicycle Network: Ride a Trail
Capital City Trail
The Capital City Trail throws a 30km loop of sealed car free paths around inner Melbourne. There is no better way to get to know Melbourne and its landmarks.
Classic destinations
The trail takes you past classic destinations like the Melbourne Zoo, the Melbourne Aquarium and Como Historic House and Garden. At these places you’ll have to pay to get in. You can browse and explore at Docklands, Southbank, Federation Square as well as at the Collingwood Children’s Farm and the Abbotsford Convent.
Serenity
Feel the serenity as you ride through Royal Park or stop off at the Royal Botanic Gardens (no bikes inside). There is art on the Herring Island Sculpture Park and Melbourne culture at the four AFL training grounds. You can see the lava flows at Dights Falls and look for wildlife in Yarra Bend Park.
As the trail is a circuit, there is no designated start or finish point. If you are a local you and your bike could catch the train into Flinders Street station and start the ride from there. Visitors can get hold of a hire bike under the vaults at Fed Square.
Clockwise or anti-clockwise?
It doesn’t matter whether you ride clockwise or anti-clockwise, there are no big hills in either direction. Riding anti-clockwise is perhaps slightly easier and starts you off down the river if you leave from the city. The track notes will help you stay on the circuit and not spin off onto the many other paths that coincide with the route. The souvenir hunters have left some of the retro-style, dark green Capital City Trail directional signs.
Map and riding notes
Here's a map along with descriptions of three ways to enjoy the Capital City Trail: Riverside riding, Zip to the Zoo and Destination Docklands. You can also ride the 30km loop in one go or ride shorter sections as you like.
The trail is either concrete or bitumen and suitable for all types of bikes. There are a couple of locations where there are steps on the trail so you will need to be able to lift and carry your bike.
Fed Square or Southbank is a popular place to start. Bike hire is at Fed Square.
The Capital City Trail includes other trails such as the Yarra Trail; Moonee Ponds Creek and Merri Creek Trails.
More great places to ride
www.ballaratskiptontrail.com.au
www.lilydalewarburtonrailtrail.com.au
www.coast2craterrailtrail.com.au
Map and trail notes
Here are three ways to enjoy the Capital City Trail: Riverside riding, Zip to the Zoo and Destination Docklands. You can also ride the 30km loop in one go or ride shorter sections as you like