The best MTB trails in Maribyrnong Valley Parklands

This beautiful park is a revitalised floodplain wetland along the Maribyrnong River, created to improve water quality and foster local biodiversity. There are picnic areas and a network of boardwalks and shared pathways throughout the grounds, where you can explore the area and observe the diverse birdlife and native plant species up close. This peaceful, nature-focused space is connected to the Maribyrnong River Trail, making it the perfect spot for a quiet escape amid the bustling surrounding urban environment.

Maribyrnong River Trail is a great multi-use path that follows the river for roughly 25 kilometres, connecting the inner suburbs to Melbourne’s northwest. The trail combines sealed paths with riverside scenery, passing parks, wetlands, and historical sites along the way. It’s relatively flat and easy, making it an ideal route for both casual walkers and longer-distance cyclists.

Heavenly Queen Temple is a large Taoist temple dedicated to Mazu, the Chinese sea goddess, and is considered the largest of its kind in Australia. Set along the Maribyrnong River, the complex features traditional Chinese architecture inspired by Beijing’s Forbidden City, expansive gardens, and a prominent gold-painted statue of Mazu. Easily reached from nearby trails, the temple is open daily from around 9:30 am to 3:30 pm, and with free admission, it's a culturally rich and visually impressive stop along the river corridor.

Kororoit Creek is the crown jewel of the Kororoit Creek Trail. This river winds through Melbourne’s western suburbs toward Port Phillip Bay and is home to restored bushland, grassy floodplains, and urban green spaces. The trail is flat and paved, but keep an eye on updated trail conditions, as sections may be prone to flooding after heavy rain.

Located along the Kororoit Creek Trail, Nature’s Bounty Mural is a colorful mural depicting native plants, wildlife, and flowing organic shapes that honor the ecosystem of Kororoit Creek. The mural lights up the area under the overpass and creates a beautiful backdrop for a photo as well.

Anglers Tavern is a waterfront bistro with awesome river views from its dining room with big windows. It has great food, including fish, and lots of parking.

Abrahams Reserve is a quiet stretch of parkland along Merri Creek, where the trail passes through open lawns and shady trees along the water. The reserve forms part of the more expansive Merri Creek parklands, providing space to pause beside the creek and enjoy the surrounding greenery. With views across the creek corridor and easy access from the trail, it’s a peaceful spot to rest before continuing along the path.

The Merri Creek Trail runs roughly 21 kilometres, winding the course of Merri Creek through a long corridor of parklands, wetlands and native vegetation north of Melbourne’s inner suburbs. This shared path is popular for walking, running and cycling, with mostly flat sealed sections that pass beneath bridges and alongside grassy creek banks. Along the way, there are plenty of pockets of bushland and restored habitat that support a variety of birdlife and native plants. There are several access points, making it an ideal path for a short or extended walk to enjoy the outdoors.