Summary

A fantastic, public transport-accessible hike along Darebin Creek through beautiful urban bushland settings. Stretch your legs from Alphington Station to the 86 tram, Bundoora (9 km end to end).

Description

Enjoy 9 kilometers of off-road peace and tranquility through the Darebin Parklands and along the green corridor of Darebin Creek Trail.

This walk is public transport accessible, starting at Alphington Station and finishing at the 86 Tram in Bundoora. From Alphington Station, walk through beautiful Darebin Parklands and follow the trail that meanders alongside Darebin Creek through Thornbury, Preston, Heidelberg West and Bundoora.

Starting at Alphington Station, use the pedestrian crossing at Wingrove Street and follow the signs to Darebin Parklands. As you enter the parklands, take the first right down Parkland Avenue walking track. The compacted gravel walking path gives you immediate bushland immersion. This path connects with the sealed Darebin Creek Trail, which you'll follow for the remainder of this walk.

Dogs
Dogs must be kept on a leash at all times unless in a designated off-leash dog park.

Toilets
Toilets are available at Darebin Parklands near the environment centre at Separation Street. Northland is close to the trail if you need to make a detour for the amenities. At the end of this walk, Summerhill Shopping Centre has public toilets.

Refreshments and supplies
Bring enough water and snacks to keep you going on this 9 km walk.
Artiga Cafe, is accessible from the Darebin Creek Trail. Located at Mansfield St, Thornbury.
Moon Dog Brewery and 3 Ravens Brewery are both located 5 minutes walk from the trail.

This map was supported by Melbourne Water Liveable Communities, Liveable Waterways incentives program.

5058 Views

Points of Interest

1. Alphington Station

From Alphington Station, cross Wingrove Street and follow the signs to Darebin Parklands.

2. Parkland Avenue walking track

As you enter Darebin Parklands, take Parkland Avenue track.

3. Rainbow Lorikeet

Darebin Parklands is an urban oasis for wildlife. Please keep dogs on leash at all times.

4. Join the Darebin Creek Trail

The Darebin Creek Trail weaves between reclaimed duck ponds home to swamphens, coots, teals and ducks.

5. Pacific black duck

Enjoy the birdlife but please do not feed them. They have all the food they need from the wetlands.

6. Heading north

As you leave Darebin Parklands, a lovely corridor of bushland continues along the creek trail.

7. Peace in the inner suburbs

Darebin Creek Trail can be busy with cyclists but is a peaceful place to walk.

8. Listen out for kookaburras

The trail meanders alongside the creek, home to a huge variety of birdlife.

9. Footbridge

A footbridge links Thornbury and Ivanhoe and onto a fantastic stretch of elevated walking path.

10. Crossing into Preston

The trail crosses the creek once more and head into C H Sullivan Memorial Park, Preston.

11. Remnant bushland

A stand of remnant bushland in Bundoora.

12. C T Barling Reserve

Veer off the Darebin Creek Trail through the sports ovals at C T Barling Reserve.

13. Catch the 86 tram home from Plenty Road

This walk ends at Plenty Road. Catch tram 86 home (or onward) from stop 57, opposite Reservoir High School.

Features

Public Transport

Drinking water available

Nature trail

Lake, creek, river

Park / Garden