Looking to go on a splendid bike ride, connect with nature, and spend quality time with family? Werribee and Surrounds is the perfect place as they’ve got various trails suitable for beginners and more experienced riders.
To help you and your family have a wonderful time together, I’ve selected the best family-friendly routes with different experiences and sights for a wonderful cycling experience in the area!
1. Wyndham Bay Trail – Werribee South to Wyndham Harbour
This bike route is a scenic one as it shows off the gorgeous shoreline of Port Phillip Bay. The 5km round trip route starts at the Werribee South foreshore, ends in Wyndham Harbour, and can be completed in less than an hour if there are no stops.
Your journey on the Wyndham Bay Trail will begin at the Werribee South Beach car park, where the Werribee River meets Port Phillip Bay. There you will find a playground, free barbecues, and lots of open space to play around.
Close to the playground is Anglers Anchorage, a spot well-known for its takeaway coffee, fish and chips and other delicious treats.
When you get to Wyndham Harbour, you’ll find another wood and rope playground plus a couple of eateries that you can grab a bite from before continuing on your journey. If you love pizza, the crispy, bubbly woodfired pizzas from 3030 Boulevard is a must-try!
Distance: 2.5 kilometres one way
Grade: Easy. Partially sealed.
Start from Werribee South Beach car park, Werribee South
2. Werribee River Trail – Presidents Park to Davis Creek or Cottrell Street
The Werribee River Trail is an easy grade path that is close to the Werribee River. To make it an easier experience for kids, I recommend taking an out-and-back route, where you can begin at the entry points of either Presidents Park, Werribee City Centre or Chirnside Park.
Each of these sections is under 8 kilometres round trip with a pretty flat and partially sealed path.
If you are starting from Presidents Park, take some time to enjoy the multi-coloured wooden playground, skate park, free barbecues, and the serene duck-filled lake and lake lookout. This path is also the perfect place for new bike riders trying to find their balance.
From there, head to the Werribee River Trail and choose from turning left (north) or right (south).
If you choose the adventure in the north, cross the river at Shaw’s Road Bridge and head towards the Davis Creek Trail, Tarneit. There you’ll find Diversion Weir and Riverbend Historical Park, a spot to rest and have a picnic, public barbecues, and be able to appreciate the surrounding wildlife.
You can also detour into residential Tarneit to find the award-winning Sprinkles Ice Creamery, Lollies and More. Note that Sprinkles is on the main road, So I suggest riding on the footpath once you are off the trail.
If you choose to head south, you can ride along the east or west bank of the Werribee River 3 kilometres south towards Cottrell Street, Werribee.
Distance: 3-4 kilometres one way
Grade: Easy. Partially sealed.
Start from Presidents Park, Wyndham Vale
3. Werribee River Trail – Werribee City Centre to Chirnside Park
Planning to get to Werribee via public transport? Then this section of the Werribee River Trail is the one for you as it begins right at the train station.
From there, head towards Werribee City Centre where you will find Watton Street, home to delicious family-friendly cafes and restaurants. I recommend stopping for a bite at either Terry Bakery for tasty and cheap Lebanese food, Black Seed Cafe for cakes and shakes, or Teddy Picker for delicious woodfire pizzas.
As you follow the trail to Wyndham Park, you will find two incredible playspaces your kids will love.
Distance: 1.2 kilometres one way
Grade: Easy. Partially sealed.
Start from Werribee Train Station
4. Werribee River Trail – Chirnside Park to Princes Freeway
With the summer heat upon us, you will love this trail that leads to a popular picnic spot and the Werribee Olympic Outdoor Pool where you and the kids can swim to cool down.
On the path between Chirnside Park and the Princes Freeway, you can also take a break along the riverbank where you can spot a platypus or two.
This path also has some historical sights from indigenous and early pastoralist history.
Distance: 21 kilometres one way
Grade: Easy. Partially sealed.
Starting from Chirnside Park, Werribee
5. Heathdale/Glen Orden Wetlands Trail
The Heathdale/Glen Orden Wetlands Trail is an easy, flat off-road path. But for families, I recommend just taking the 2.7-kilometre route from Dowling Avenue to the Heathdale Glen Orden Wetlands.
The 35 hectares of open space is worth getting off your bikes for a detour intersecting through the wetlands water system via the boardwalk or circumnavigating the area by walking along the network of soft surface walking tracks.
This spot is great for a relaxing picnic, spotting native flora and fauna, bird-watching and a family game of cricket in the expansive Glen Orden Reserve.
The location also has a small playground and a bike track for those who brought their BMX bikes.
Distance: 2.7 kilometres one way
Grade: Easy. Partially sealed.
Start from Dowling Ave, Hoppers Crossing
6. Lollipop Creek Trail
Enjoy a sweet family bike ride along Lollipop Creek to 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 Wyndham Vale Reserve.
The easy, partially sealed route is about 3 kilometres long one way, and 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
7. Skeleton Creek Trail
Because this trail is long, I recommend tackling parts of it rather than biking the whole distance.
One part you can take is from Grevillea Crescent, Hoppers Crossing and southwards to Old Geelong Road, where you’ll pass through a series of parks and reserves, including the Hawthorn Drive playground. When you get to Old Geelong Road, I recommend trying out the filled brioche doughnuts from Doctor Donuts!
If you are taking this trail with older kids, I recommend taking the path that begins south of the Princes Freeway and through to the mouth of Skeleton Creek at Point Cook. This trail is approximately 6.5 kilometres and is mainly on the edge of residential areas.
Distance: 2.5 – 6.5 kilometres one way
Grade: Easy. Partially sealed.
Start from Grevillea Crescent, Hoppers Crossing or Boardwalk Boulevard, Point Cook
Visit Shadowfax Wines for a child friendly winery
Enjoy all that Werribee Zoo has to offer, including Keeper Kids, Village Kids and Hippo Beach
This article was produced in partnership with Visit Werribee and Surrounds. Images by Joyce Watts or as supplied.
