Every weekend, the road along the bay fills with lycra clad bike riders getting their cycling and exercise fix. It's an easy, mostly flat ride that takes you past some of Melbourne's more prestigious suburbs and good bay beaches.

The trail starts at Marine Pde in Port Melbourne, and goes all the way down along the Ormond Esplanade, St Kilda St, and the Esplanade to Frankston and beyond.
map
Bicycle Victoria

MORE BIKE RIDING INFORMATION


Williamstown to Port Melbourne and beyond:

Many cyclists use the Westgate Punt to travel from Scienceworks in Spotswood (near Williamstown), across the Bay to Fisherman's Bend in Port Melbourne. It runs on weekends and public holidays only, at this point, from 10am to 4pm. The fee is really cheap - approx $3 each way.

Once in Port Melbourne, you can ride along Lorimer St and Marine Pde all the way to the St Kilda Pier, Elwood, Brighton and beyond.
www.westgatepunt.com

AROUND THE BAY IN A DAY / MELBOURNE CYCLING FESTIVAL

Sunday October 18, 2009.
This is an iconic cycling event and Australia's premier bike riding challenge that attracts thousands. The ride begins iat the Alexandra Gardens in the city, heads to Geelong and Queensliffe via the West Gate Bridge, riders then take the ferry to Sorrento, and make their way up the bay to the Alexandra Gardens. End of race entertainment. Registration opens from April.
www.bv.com.au/great-rides/40698/



WALKING THE BAY


If you are not up for a bike ride but would prefer to walk, the same route will take you past some of Melbourne’s more funky and affluent suburbs including Port Melbourne, Albert Park, St Kilda, Elwood and Brighton. It’s a long walk so be prepared. You don’t have to go all the way. St Kilda has great cafes in Fitzroy St and Acland St, and the picturesque St Kilda Pier which has been painstakingly rebuilt to its original glory after being burnt down in an arson attack. Otherwise, if you do venture all the way to Brighton, you’ll be rewarded with great views of the very colourful bathing boxes. It’s about 12km one way and will take you about 2.5 hours. But it’s an easy walk/cycle along a flat track.



BRIGHTON BATHING BOXES


At Brighton you will find the colourful and renowned bathing boxes at the Dendy Street Beach. The beach is very calm and great for kids, avid photographers, or interested tourists. It's a great spot for a quick visit, a lunch at the beach, or a day at the beach. For more information on Brighton, check out our BRIGHTON profile. 

FERRIES - Williamstown to St Kilda or Southbank

Grab a ferry from St Kilda or Southbank to Williamstown or vice versa. You can easily spend a few hours at each of the three locations. Ferry prices are not cheap, approx $15 one-way, $25 return. Small discounts apply to Seniors. Kids under 4 are half price.
www.williamstownferries.com.au

Southbank has the food court, walking path along the Yarra River, the tourist orientedcraft market on Sundays, it’s very close to the National Gallery of Victoria, the Ian Potter Gallery in Federation Square, the Melbourne Concert Hall, Flinders Street Station, and the city centre.

St Kilda has a large number of cafes and shops in both Fitzroy St and Acland St. Acland St has several European cake shops with hundreds of mouth watering treats in the windows. So, if you are on a diet, be prepared to put it on hold. Nearby are Luna Park, St Kilda beach, and a walking/cycling track along the beach/bay. For more information on St Kilda, check out our ST KILDA profile. 

Williamstown is an historic suburb with plenty of bluestone architecture, cafes, and a bay walking track with great views of the city and Port Phillip Bay. The pier isn’t too far away from Williamstown Beach and Williamstown Botanical Gardens. You may want to take a bike onto the ferry and cycle your way around Williamstown. For more information on Williamstown, check out our WILLIAMSTOWN profile.