Main Yarra Trail: Candlebark Park to Tikalara Park

This section of the Main Yarra Trail runs 6.4 kilometres between Candlebark Park and Tikalara Park in Templestowe, flat riverside walking through the Yarra Valley Parklands with kangaroos grazing in the paddocks beside it. The rule that matters here is narrow: dogs are permitted on the designated trail pathway and nowhere else in this section.

Leash status

Dogs on lead at all times, and the lead should be a short one. Parks Victoria manages this stretch, and in this section dogs are permitted only on the designated Main Yarra Trail pathway. That is not a note about muddy verges: the surrounding parkland, riverbank and grassland are not open to dogs, so stepping off the path to let your dog explore is not allowed. Dogs must also be on lead throughout both Candlebark and Tikalara Parks, with restrictions protecting wildlife such as kangaroos, echidnas and ground-nesting birds in the conservation areas off the trail. Manningham Council reserves in the area close on days of Total Fire Ban.

The walk

Graded easy, roughly an hour to an hour and a half one way. The trail is wide and well marked, concrete in parts and compacted gravel in others, with no real climbing. It passes Petty's Orchard and finishes at Tikalara, where Mullum Mullum Creek meets the Yarra. Starting from the Tikalara end buys you a calmer first kilometre.

Water and hazards

Cyclists are the main hazard: this is a genuine commuter and recreation route and riders move quickly through the corners, so keep the lead short and hold the left side. Heat is the second, since the trail runs open in long stretches with shade coming and going. Carry water for both of you; there is none on the route itself.

Getting there and parking

Free parking sits at both ends of the section, at Candlebark Park and Tikalara Park. Barbecues and picnic tables are at Candlebark and at Westerfolds Park further along, but the public toilets are at Westerfolds rather than at either trailhead, worth knowing before you start with a dog in the car.

When to go

Midweek around the middle of the day is the quietest window. Weekends and sunny weekday evenings fill with cyclists and families. The flat grade makes this a good pick for older dogs and steady walkers, provided everyone respects the path-only rule.

Max: The kangaroos here are close to the trail and used to people, which makes them look approachable. They are not. Staying on the path is both the rule and the sensible thing, and a long lead is a bad idea on this one.

While you're out there

Petty's Orchard is right on the trail and takes dogs outside, with Two Doors Cafe and Harry's Cafe and Deli a short drive away. Westerfolds Park continues the same river corridor, the Main Yarra Trail: Finns Reserve to Warrandyte picks it up further upstream, and Fitzsimons Reserve is the nearby park alternative.

More routes are on the Victoria trails list, or browse dog friendly Templestowe.