Merri Creek Track via Coburg Lake Loop

This 8.9 km loop links Coburg Lake Reserve with the Merri Creek Track through Melbourne's inner north, and it is flat, sealed for most of its length and easy to shorten at either end. For a walk this long that close to the city, it stays surprisingly green, with mature river red gums lining the water and the lake anchoring the northern end of the circuit.

The walk

Around two to two and a half hours for the full 8.9 km, rated easy. The surface is mostly sealed shared path with gravel sections closer to the creek, and there is no real climbing. Because it is a loop hung off a linear creek trail, you can cut it short at several road crossings and still get a satisfying walk out of it.

Leash status

Merri-bek City Council manages both the reserve and the creek trail, and dogs are welcome on lead throughout, with a maximum of four dogs per walker and waste bags required by law. Council also requires dogs to stay at least 15 metres from playgrounds and off active sporting grounds, and there are several playgrounds around the lake, so keep that in mind at the northern end where the picnic areas cluster. Dogs are not allowed in the creek water itself.

Pepsi: If the day needs a proper swim and a run, Egan Reserve along the creek is the off lead spot with water access. Save some energy for it.

Water

There are taps and drinking fountains at the lake reserve. The creek runs low and murky in stretches and is not somewhere to encourage a swim, particularly after rain when urban runoff comes through.

Hazards

The Merri Creek path is a commuter cycling route and the bikes move quickly, especially at either end of the working day. Tiger snakes and eastern brown snakes sun themselves on the grassy banks in warm weather. Sections near the water get slippery after heavy rain.

Getting there and parking

Batman Station on the Upfield line is within walking distance, and tram 19 down Sydney Road puts you close. Driving, there is free parking near the lake off Gaffney Street, with two hour limits on some surrounding streets.

Close by with the dogs

Egan Reserve is the nearest off lead area with creek access. Heading south, the creek trail continues toward Abrahams Reserve in Northcote if you want a longer day. BrewDog Pentridge has a large dog friendly beer garden nearby, and The Nicholson Coffee House is the local coffee stop. More options sit on the VIC trails list and around Coburg.

When to go

Weekday mornings before about 7:30, ahead of the cyclists and the after work crowd. Good for big steady walkers who want distance on flat ground rather than hills.