Darebin Creek Trail: Darebin to Kew East

The Darebin Creek Trail between Darebin and Kew East is a 5.3 km shared path following the creek through Melbourne's inner north east, reaching the Yarra confluence at Kew East. The rule that shapes a dog walk here is a measured one: on lead within 5 metres of the shared trail, which along this route means on lead for practically all of it, with signed off leash ground available in the parklands either side.

The walk

AllTrails records 5.3 km and grades it easy, a little over an hour at a dog's pace. It runs on sealed and gravel shared path through the creek corridor, mostly flat with short rises where the trail climbs out of the valley at road crossings. It links into the rest of the Darebin Creek Trail network, so you can extend in either direction without repeating ground, and the 33 hectares of Darebin Parklands bushland sits right alongside the Alphington section.

Leash status

Darebin City Council, working with the Darebin Creek Management Committee, requires dogs on lead within 5 metres of the shared trail and through the wildlife sensitive sections of the corridor. Off leash exercise is allowed only in the separately signed areas within the parklands, not on the trail itself. Since the trail is the walk, treat this as a leashed route and use the marked off leash reserves for the running. Dogs are prohibited outright in the conservation zones and wetlands such as the Alphington Park wetlands.

Pepsi: Walk the trail as the commute and save the running for the signed off leash paddocks at either end. Everyone gets what they came for.

Water

Darebin Creek runs beside the trail the whole way with bank access at several points, and the parklands side has shallow pools dogs wade into. It is an urban waterway carrying stormwater, so quality drops sharply after rain and a splash is a better idea than a proper swim. Carry drinking water regardless.

Hazards

Cyclists chiefly. This is a commuter route as much as a recreational one and bikes come through quickly, which is the practical reason behind the 5 metre rule. Snakes are present along the creek corridor in summer, so keep to the open path on hot days.

Getting there and parking

Access points sit at road crossings along the corridor, with parking near the Darebin Parklands entrances in Alphington. Alphington station on the Hurstbridge line is a short walk from the northern end of this section.

While you're out there

Darebin Parklands off-leash area and Hays Paddock at Kew East bookend the walk, the wider Darebin Parklands tracks add distance, and the Heidelberg West to Kew East section continues north. Area52 and Hay and Hide handle coffee at either end. See the VIC trails list or around Alphington for more.

When to go

Outside commuter hours, so mid morning or mid afternoon on a weekday. The route suits steady walkers and dogs that need a predictable flat route more than scenery or hills.