Solway to Burnley via Gardiners Creek Trail

The Gardiners Creek Trail runs 15.8 kilometres from Solway Street in Malvern East north along the creek, also known as Kooyong Koot, to Burnley where it meets the Yarra. It is flat, paved and almost entirely off-road, and it crosses two council areas with different rules on either side of the path.

The walk. Fifteen point eight kilometres end to end, graded easy, and about three and a half to four hours if you walk the whole thing. Very few people do. The sensible approach is to pick a segment between two reserves, because the trail is a continuous sealed shared path and every access point works as a start or a finish.

The rules. Dogs must be on lead within 10 metres of the shared trail. The route crosses the City of Stonnington and the City of Monash, and the regulations at the reserves either side are not identical, so the safe assumption is on-lead on the path and check the sign before you let anything off in a reserve. Several adjacent reserves do have designated off-lead zones, notably the Gardiners Creek Reserve area at Burwood and Ashwood, set back from the main trail and the sports fields.

Water. Drinking fountains with dog bowls are spread through the parks along the route, and there are picnic tables, shaded benches and barbecue areas at several reserves. Public toilets exist at some reserve points but not all, so plan around the bigger parks.

Hazards. The path narrows in places and doubles as a bike commuter route, which is the main risk. On the tighter sections a short lead is not optional. If your dog is reactive to other dogs, the wider grassed reserves off the main path are a better bet than the pinch points.

Getting there. East Malvern Station on the Glen Waverley line is closest to the Solway Street start. Parking is available at reserves along the way and near the Warrigal Road underpass. The trail links through to the Main Yarra Trail at the northern end.

Nearby with the dogs. Gardiners Creek Reserve and Gardiners Reserve Dog Park are the off-lead options mid-route, with Markham Reserve, Gardiner Park and Golden Square Bicentennial Park spaced along it. Mr Sister Cafe covers the southern end, and Ferndale, Gardiners Creek and Anniversary Trails Loop is the loop version if you would rather not walk out and back.

When to go. Weekday mornings, or late evening. Weekend mornings and afternoons bring joggers, riders and a lot of other dogs onto a path that is not always wide enough for all of them. Good for big runners who want long flat kilometres.

Sources

• Gardiners Creek Trail Shared Path | City of Monash · www.monash.vic.gov.au
• Gardiners Reserve | City of Monash · www.monash.vic.gov.au
• Solway to Burnley via Gardiners Creek Trail, Victoria, Australia - AllTrails · www.alltrails.com

Compiled from public sources and verified listings. Always confirm current rules with the venue or council before you travel.