Maribyrnong River loop

The Maribyrnong River loop at Aberfeldie is a 4.2 km circuit of sealed path along both banks, linked by footbridges and passing The Boathouse and the Essendon Rowing Club. Dogs walk the path itself on lead, but two large off-lead reserves sit directly on the loop, and that is what makes it a proper dog walk rather than just a riverside stroll.

Leash status

Dogs are on lead on the shared river path for the whole loop and near the playgrounds, under Moonee Valley and Maribyrnong council rules between the two banks. The signposted off-lead ground sits just off the circuit: Aberfeldie Park on the Aberfeldie side and Chifley Drive Reserve across the Afton Street pedestrian bridge. The rule changes at the reserve boundary, not at the river, so read the signs as you pass.

The walk

It is flat, sealed and graded easy, taking about 50 minutes at walking pace, and the footbridges let you cut a shorter figure of eight when time is short. The path is shared with bikes, and it is a commuter cycling route at 8am and again around 5pm, so keep left and step off the bitumen when you hear a bell. Downstream, the trail continues into the Maribyrnong River Trail at Burndap Park if you want more distance.

Drinking fountains with dog bowls sit along the circuit. The river here is tidal and steep banked, so it is not a swimming stretch, and waterbirds and rakali live in the banks, another reason to keep recall sharp.

Max: figure of eight over the Afton Street bridge, half on-lead scenery and half off-lead sprint at Aberfeldie Park. That is the standard run.

Getting there and parking

Street parking along The Boulevard in Aberfeldie puts you on the loop, and the 57 tram to Maribyrnong Park lands you directly on the path from the Moonee Ponds side. It is an easy walk from Essendon and Moonee Ponds residential streets.

When to go

Weekday mid-morning is the calm window; peak commute hours belong to the bikes. Summer evenings are pleasant along the water, and the mostly open path means little shade through the middle of the day, so mornings suit dogs better in warm weather.

Afterwards, Calmer Cafe in Aberfeldie keeps dogs company outside. More routes are on the Victoria trails guide and the Aberfeldie destination page.