Anniversary Trail

The Anniversary Trail follows the old Outer Circle Railway through Melbourne's east, and passes close to Surrey Hills near East Camberwell. It gives dogs a long, green corridor away from traffic, on lead the whole way.

Lead rules

The City of Boroondara manages the trail with Parks Victoria. On the path itself your dog stays on lead, even where it brushes past council reserves with their own off-lead areas.

The walk

The trail runs from the Yarra River Trail at Fairfield down to the Gardiners Creek Trail. It is sealed and fairly flat, with deep railway cuttings, remnants of the 1890s line and heritage signs along the way.

Mature trees shade much of it in summer. Drinking fountains, some with low spouts a dog can reach, sit at intervals, and bins turn up at most entry points.

Getting started

There is little parking right on the trail. Use side streets or a station car park and join at the nearest crossing.

Pair it with

Coffee afterwards at Steam Coffee Co or Gesha in Surrey Hills rounds it off.

It works best in short sections as part of a regular walk, and the sealed surface is kind to older dogs. Keep a short lead where bikes pass.