Bay Trail: Port Melbourne to Mordialloc

The Bay Trail runs 29 km along Port Phillip Bay from Port Melbourne south to Mordialloc, taking in St Kilda, Brighton and Sandringham on the way. It is flat, mostly paved shared path, and one fact matters more than any other for dog owners: dogs are banned outright from a section of the Mordialloc foreshore near the trail's southern end, so know that stretch before you plan a walk there.

The walk

At 29 km end to end this is a moderate outing of around 6 to 6.5 hours on foot, and almost nobody does it in one go. Heading south you pass Port Melbourne pier, the St Kilda foreshore, the Brighton bathing boxes, Sandringham jetty, Ricketts Point marine sanctuary and Mordialloc pier.

It is a serious cycling and training route, so keep dogs on a short lead rather than letting them wander towards the bike traffic. Most owners walk it in sections, with train stations at St Kilda, Middle Brighton, Sandringham, Hampton, Beaumaris and Mordialloc making one-way legs simple.

Leash status

The shared path is on-lead the whole way through Port Phillip, Bayside and Kingston council areas. The adjoining beaches are the variable part: off-lead zones, restricted timeshare beaches and prohibited stretches sit side by side and change with the season, so read the signage at each access point before unclipping.

Water

Drinking fountains and taps are dotted along the foreshore reserves, particularly around St Kilda, Brighton and the bigger foreshore parks, but gaps between Sandringham and Beaumaris are longer. Carry water for your dog in summer regardless.

Hazards

Fast cyclists are the main risk on a shared path this popular, especially on weekends between St Kilda and Brighton. The Mordialloc Creek to Bay Street foreshore is a no-dog zone at all times, and summer time-share rules restrict dogs on some beaches during peak daytime hours.

When to go

Early mornings are best on weekends, when the path is clearer and summer beach rules are yet to bite. The trail is at its most comfortable in autumn and spring, and dawn light over the bay is the payoff for setting out early.

More walks nearby

Port Melbourne Dog Beach and St Kilda Beach Dog Off Leash Area bookend the northern leg, while Black Rock Beach Dog Off Leash Area sits beside the Ricketts Point stretch. For a shorter version of the same coastline, try the Bay Trail: Brighton to Half Moon Bay.

More options are on the Victoria dog friendly trails guide and the Port Melbourne destination page.