Darebin Creek Trail

Discover the Darebin Creek Trail, a 25 km shared path for walking and cycling that follows the serene Darebin Creek through the northern suburbs of Melbourne. Stretching across suburbs Wollert, Epping, Lalor, Thomastown, Bundoora, Reservoir, the trail connects parks, reserves, and local destinations, offering a safe and scenic way to explore the area.

The Darebin Creek Trail passes through Norris Bank Reserve and La Trobe University, with two main sections - 8 km north and 17 km south of the Western Ring Road. This trail is safe and scenic, suitable for all ages and fitness levels.

Discover more about the Darebin Creek Trail by watching the video.

Bike trail sections and entrances

Harvest Home Road to Henderson Road

This part of the Darebin Creek Trail is an important link through Melbourne’s northern suburbs. The path runs through natural landscapes, making it a peaceful place for walking, riding, or running.

Along the way, it connects to parks such as Darebin Creek Parkland, Peppercorn Park, and Apex Park. The trail provides a safe, off-road route between suburbs in Whittlesea, Darebin, and Banyule. It is well used by walkers, runners, and dog walkers, and more cyclists are now enjoying this section too.

Henderson Road to Childs Road

This section of the trail is smooth, wide, and safe for all types of riders. It includes two-way bike lanes on both sides of the Childs Road bridge and an underpass that helps riders avoid busy traffic.

There are landscaped areas and seating spots for people to rest. On the southern side of the bridge, you’ll find a rest stop with an Aboriginal mosaic artwork and signs sharing stories about the area’s cultural history, a special place to pause and reflect.

Childs Road to M80

This part of the trail runs from Childs Road to the Metropolitan Ring Road (M80) in Mill Park. It follows Darebin Creek through reserves and parklands, including W.A. Smith Recreation Reserve, Sycamore Recreation Reserve, and Thomastown East Recreation Reserve.

The path is well maintained and suitable for cyclists of all levels, as well as walkers and runners looking to enjoy the green spaces along the creek.

Metropolitan Ring Road (M80) to Holt Parade

This part of the Darebin Creek Trail offers a scenic route with wide paths, safe road crossings, and rest spots with seating and landscaped areas. It also connects to a longer 48 km loop that links the Merri Creek, Darebin Creek, Western Ring Road, and Yarra River trails, perfect for riders looking for a bigger adventure.

Flooding notice

The trail under the M80 Ring Road floods during heavy rain, making it unsafe for cyclists. When this happens, riders use a safe detour.

Flood detour route

The detour is about 2 km long (around 1 km longer than the trail). It goes across the Greenhills Road bridge, along Greenhills Road and Tasman Drive, then joins the M80 Trail to reconnect with the northern section of the Darebin Creek Trail. A map of the detour is shown below.

Trail highlights and attractions

You can explore parks, reserves, and community spaces along the trail.