Melbourne Women's Walking Club

An easy and pleasant 12km walk starting at the breathtaking Coburg Lake and trekking along the majestic Merri Creek to the fascinating Ceres Community Environment Park area. ? Along the way, we'll soak in the scenery, historic and picturesque sights history of this area that make the Merri Creek a true gem.  Upon arrival to Ceres (around 10am) we can indulge in a scrumptious coffee and cake at one of the cozy cafes or enjoy a picnic with your own delights.  Ceres is also home to a small handmade goods market, grocery and fresh bread made on the premises! Recommend you make room in your pack to grab a fresh loaf! After that, we'll make our way back to our starting point taking one or two detours and loops. (Mostly paved, shared with bikes a hill or two if you want the extra exercise!) ?‍♂️?

This is an approx. 16km walk of circuits through Tirhatuan Park and Wetlands, and Dandenong Police Paddocks.

Walking the opposite way along the Merri Creek from last week’s Saturday walk, we eventually wind out way to Bonwick street, Fawkner for morning tea. Here you can taste the hidden delights of Italian cakes, good coffee, Turkish gözleme or other dishes from around the world. After morning tea we will head down Jukes road, to the Fawkner cemetery. Roaming through the cemetery we will stop at look at some of the mausoleums that dot the entrance to the cemetery, some of the old graves and other interesting sites.

We will meet at Alphington Station (Hurstbridge line) and then walk through Darebin Parklands to the Yarra.  Via Kew, we join the Anniversary Trail and make our way through Balwyn and finish at Hartwell Station (Alamein Line).  This walk is all on shared pathways and is 11 km.  Optional coffee and lunch at Fordham’s Café on our return (by 1.00 pm).

Meet at Alphington Station at 9.30am.  Catch the 8.59 am Hurstbridge train from Flinders Street to Alphington Station arriving at 9.28 am. 

Enjoy an early Saturday walk exploring remnant wetlands and woodlands of the Melbourne Sandbelt region on this 16km urban walk. 

Following the Mordialloc Creek Trail to Waterways, we’ll do a stretch of silent walking on the Island before stopping for a lakeside breakfast (coffee available for purchase). We’ll then detour via suburban streets into Braeside Park, an important conservation reserve with areas of grassy eucalyptus woodland, wetlands teeming with birdlife, and some historical quirks like Phar Lap’s training track and an avenue of cypress trees, some carved into animal sculptures.

After a late morning break in the wetlands for morning tea/early lunch, we’ll return via Waterways and the Mordialloc Creek Trail to the cars by 1pm, leaving the rest of the afternoon free for other adventures. The route is flat on well-formed gravel paths, so boots and poles are optional. Sun protection is recommended, as some of the trails are exposed.