5 Mile Creek / Moonee Ponds Creek

Follow little 5 Mile Creek through Essendon until it meets the Moonee Ponds Creek, and you get a flat, tree-lined walk that stays off busy roads. Dogs are welcome on lead, and the whole thing is easy on older joints.

Lead rules

Moonee Valley City Council asks for dogs on lead along the shared paths and creekside reserves. Keep them on lead within 15 metres of playgrounds and barbecues too, unless you are inside a designated off-leash park.

The walk

The shared path is mostly asphalt and concrete, with some gravel and grass sections. It runs past shady grassy banks, small pocket parks and footbridges over the creek.

A return loop of roughly two to three kilometres is typical, depending on where you start. Street parking is easiest near Government Road and the local park entries.

Bins sit near the entries and playgrounds, and there are drinking fountains along the wider Moonee Ponds Creek trail. Carry water for the quieter 5 Mile Creek stretches.

Make a day of it

Montgomery Park is another local green space, and Coffee Joint on Napier is a good coffee stop.

Shade is patchy, so warm days are better early or late. It suits pram walkers, older dogs and anyone after a short, calm loop.