Produced by TOT: HOT OR NOT in partnership with Visit Werribee and Surrounds
Werribee and Surrounds offer families numerous opportunities to go on a splendid bike ride to connect with nature and loved ones. Whether you’re a beginner or a more experienced rider, you’ll find a trail that suits all of you.
I’ve selected seven routes based on bike trails with flat, easily rideable distances for little legs, on predominantly off-road tracks with no major road crossings.
Each bike trail offers a different experience, from views of leafy glades, amazing playgrounds to wide open beach vistas. And of course, a delicious rest stop enroute!
Take the family out on these bike trails and enjoy the best of this unique area.
Wyndham Bay Trail - Werribee South to Wyndham Harbour
The Wyndham Bay Trail is a scenic bike route that hugs the shoreline of Port Phillip Bay, with a partially sealed section starting from the Werribee South foreshore and ending in Wyndham Harbour. This section is 2.5km one way and the 5km round trip can easily be completed in under an hour with no stops.
The easy riding, bay views and fun stops make it a great bike route for kids!
Start your ride from the Werribee South Beach carpark. This is where the Werribee River meets Port Phillip Bay and you’ll find a fun playground with free barbecues and plenty of open space to kick a ball or fly a kite.
You might even want to slip off your shoes and feel the sand between your toes at Werribee South Beach.
Just off the trail facing the playground is Anglers Anchorage, a popular local spot for take away coffee, fish and chips or an ice cream treat.
As you ride towards Wyndham Harbour along the foreshore keep your eyes peeled for the abundance of bird life along the trail.
At Wyndham Harbour there’s another small nautical-inspired wood and rope playground and several eateries where you can refuel before getting back in the saddle. I recommend the crispy, bubbly pizzas from 3030 Waterfront, served with a side of water views.
Distance: 2.5 kilometres one way
Grade: Easy. Partially sealed.
Start from Werribee South Beach carpark, Werribee South
Werribee River Trail - Presidents Park to Davis Creek or Cottrell Street
The Werribee River Trail winds beside the Werribee River from Tarneit all the way to the Princes Highway, Werribee.
With kids I recommend an out-and-back route, starting at one of three entry points - Presidents Park, Werribee City Centre or Chirnside Park.
Each of these three sections of the Werribee River Trail is under 8 kilometres round trip. The path is pretty flat and partially sealed.
The first option is to start your journey from Presidents Park, a sprawling green space that boasts a huge multi-coloured wooden playground, a popular skate park, free barbecues, a serene duck-filled lake and a lake lookout.
Plus the paths around Presidents Park are the perfect place for learner riders just finding their balance.
From Presidents Park take any connecting path towards the Werribee River Trail then choose your own adventure, turning left (north) or right (south).
If you plan to head north then cross the river at the Shaws Road Bridge and ride around 4 kilometres towards the start of the Davis Creek Trail, Tarneit.
Enroute you’ll pass the gentle flow of Diversion Weir and Riverbend Historical Park, a riverside spot to rest, have a picnic or use the public barbecues. Listen out for the distinctive call of bellbirds and look out for ducks and other wildlife.
After Riverbend you can take a delicious detour into residential Tarneit to visit the award-winning Sprinkles Ice Creamery, Lollies and More. Note that Sprinkles is located on Thames Boulevard, a main road, so once you get off the Werribee River Trail it’s best to ride on the footpath.
If you plan to head south you can choose to ride along the east or west bank of the Werribee River. It’s around 3 kilometres south towards Cottrell Street, Werribee and you’ll pass through bucolic parklands on the way.
Distance: 3-4 kilometres one way
Grade: Easy. Partially sealed.
Start from Presidents Park, Wyndham Vale
Werribee River Trail - Werribee City Centre to Chirnside Park
This section of the Werribee River Trail is particularly useful if you’re visiting Werribee via public transport. Alight at Werribee Train Station, the gateway to Werribee City Centre, and head east towards Chirnside Park for 1.2 kilometres.
In Werribee City Centre you’ll find Werribee’s eat street, Watton Street, with many family-friendly cafes and restaurants to choose from. My top three picks are Terry Bakery for tasty and cheap Lebanese food by the river, Black Seed Cafe for cakes, shakes, and other good mood food and the woodfired pizzas from Teddy Picker, which boasts one of Werribee’s largest outdoor dining areas.
The bike trail heading east will take you through Wyndham Park. There you’ll find two incredible play spaces - a vast adventure playground and a junior playground highlighting water play and nature play.
Distance: 1.2 kilometres one way
Grade: Easy. Partially sealed.
Start from Werribee Train Station
Werribee River Trail - Chirnside Park to Princes Freeway
On a hot day you can opt to start and finish at Chirnside Park and ride back towards Werribee City Centre or south towards the Princes Freeway. At this popular picnic spot you’ll find the Werribee Outdoor Pool - perfect for a cooling dip after a bike ride.
Between Chirnside Park and the Princes Freeway there are peaceful places to rest and watch the riverbank. This is the section of the river where you would be most likely to sight the elusive platypus.
If you want some local history, some sights along this trail are signed with both Indigenous and early pastoralist history.
Distance: 2.1 kilometres one way
Grade: Easy. Partially sealed.
Start from Chirnside Park, Werribee
Heathdale/Glen Orden Wetlands Trail
This easy, flat off-road path winds its way from Dowling Ave down past Cambridge Primary School through Cambridge Reserve to Heaths Road, Hoppers Crossing. The path continues from Heaths Road to Derrimut Road, before finishing at the Princes Highway.
The segment of the loop I particularly recommend for families is the 2.7 kilometre route that runs from Dowling Avenue to the Heathdale Glen Orden Wetlands, some 35 hectares of open space located centrally within Heathdale housing estate.
It’s worth getting off your bikes for a detour into the wetlands. You can criss-cross through the wetlands water system via the boardwalk or circumnavigate the wetlands by walking along the network of soft surface walking tracks.
Bring a picnic and relax at one of the rotundas dotted around the wetlands, then explore the area for native flora and fauna, with many bird-watching opportunities, or enjoy a family game of cricket in the expansive Glen Orden Reserve. There is also a small playground and if you’ve brought a BMX bike, a bike track for the daredevils.
Distance: 2.7 kilometres one way
Grade: Easy. Partially sealed.
Start from Dowling Ave, Hoppers Crossing
Lollipop Creek Trail
Enjoy a sweet family bike ride along Lollipop Creek, which flows through Wyndham Vale.
The trail starts at Candy Walk, north of Greens Road at Lollipop Drive, then follows the creek south through the drainage reserve until it reaches Wyndham Vale Reserve.
The easy, partially sealed route is about 3 kilometres long one way, so the round trip can be completed in under an hour with no stops.
The trail follows Lollipop Creek through residential suburbs, sporting reserves, small wetlands and parks, including three playgrounds - Oak Tree Avenue playground, Ridge Drive playground and Wyndham Vale Reserve playground.
If you need to refuel check out Honour Fish & Chips or Mel's Foodstore, both of which are just off the trail on Honour Avenue.
Distance: 3 kilometres one way
Grade: Easy. Partially sealed.
Start from Candy Walk, Wyndham Vale
Skeleton Creek Trail
The Skeleton Creek Trail is very long, so as a family it’s best to tackle parts of the trail as an out-and-bike route rather than the whole distance.
One option is to start from Grevillea Crescent, Hoppers Crossing and head southwards to Old Geelong Road, which is approximately 2.5 kilometres on the way.
You’ll pass through a series of parks and reserves, including the Hawthorn Drive playground, and finish up in the heart of Hoppers Crossing. On Old Geelong Road try the filled brioche donuts at Doctor Donuts that you can work off on your trip back!
Another option is to start south of the Princes Freeway at Boardwalk Boulevard, Point Cook and from there you can peel off for 1.2 kilometres through parkland or travel all the way to the mouth of Skeleton Creek at Point Cook for approximately 6.5 kilometres mainly on the edge of residential areas. This latter option is best tackled with older kids or experienced riders given the round trip distance.
Distance: 2.5 - 6.5 kilometres one way
Grade: Easy. Partially sealed.
Start from Grevillea Crescent, Hoppers Crossing or Boardwalk Boulevard, Point Cook.
