Step10 Ashburton - Anniversary Trail base-level walk

Step10 Ashburton - Anniversary Trail base-level walk created by Victoria Walks

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Summary

A there-and-back walk beginning from Markham Reserve and exploring part of the Anniversary Trail. The turnaround point is the bridge at the intersection of Gardiners and Scotchmans creeks.

Description

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Beginning at the popular Markham Reserve playground we'll follow the shared walking trail until we get to the Anniversary Trail - a popular place for people to walk and to cycle in the green, leafy eastern suburbs!

This shorter walk in our series takes you along a part of the historic Anniversary Trail (a former, decommissioned train line) and then onto a section of the Gardiners Creek Trail before turning around at the first bridge and returning to our start point.

All up, this walk is 3.75km. We hope it gives you a taste for this lovely part of Boroondara. Perhaps you would like to walk a little further in future to explore more of the lovely creek trails?

Things to note:

- The only public toilet on this base-level walk is at the starting point at the Markham Reserve playground.
- We will be walking along shared walking and cycling trails. Please keep to the left of the centre line where possible.
- There are two roads to cross on this walk. While the roads are not busy, please take care and check for oncoming vehicles if you are busy chatting!
- There is a dog off-leash space at Markham Reserve so be aware some dogs may wander onto the walking path.

The Step10 Challenge Boroondara 2025 will culminate with an optional 8.7km walk. That longer walk will continue further along the Gardiners Creek Trail, then follow the linear park between Ferndale Park and Summerhill Park before heading back along another section of the .Anniversary Trail through Ashburton and back to our starting point at Markham Reserve.

Step10 Challenge is a free women's walking program for women living in and around Boroondara taking place in Spring 2025. The program is run by Victoria Walks in partnership with The Y ( Boroondara Sports Complex) and supported by the Victorian Government's Together More Active program. Read more about Step10 Challenge at the 'Find Out More' link on this page.

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Points of Interest

1. Meeting point (Playground Gate)

Please meet your Step10 Walk Leader just next to the shared walking and cycling path, just outside the playground entry. There is a public toilet here also.

2. Markham Avenue

The evidence of the old train line is clear. This is a very popular place to walk and cycle. Take care of people on bikes and try to stat to the left of the path.

3. Community Garden

If you look to your left you'll see a lovely path leading to a community garden space created by local residents. Continue along Markham Avenue.

4. Road crossing to walking trail

Use the marked crossing to cross Ashburn Grove over to the walking and cycling path. Turn right once you're on the path.

5. Onto the Anniversary Trail

This is where we get onto the Anniversary Trail. We'll take a left here as shown by the red line to head south along the trail.

6. South along Anniversary Trail

You'll see remnants of the train line that used to run through this part of Ashburton but which was discontinued.

7. Cross Ryburne Avenue

Cross the road at the end where the Anniversary Trail ends and turn left to follow the shared walking and cycling trail (now officially Gardiners Creek Trail).

8. Gardiners Creek Trail

Stay on the main trail that traces the creek, which you will see down to your left.

9. Bridge (turn-around point)

This first bridge over the Gardiners Creek is the turn-around point for the Step10 base-level walk. Well done! So far you have walked almost 1.9km.

10. Back down Ashburn Grove

Head back down the trail along Ashburn Grove toward Markham Avenue.

11. Markham Reserve off-leash

To your right you might spot some dogs and their owners making use of the green open space as you back toward our starting point (Markham Reserve Playground).