The best walks in Melbourne in 2026 are the 3.8km Tan Track around the Royal Botanic Gardens and Kings Domain, a wander through the Royal Botanic Gardens themselves, a self-guided loop of the CBD's laneways and arcades, the Yarra River promenade from Southbank to Birrarung Marr, the St Kilda foreshore and pier at sunset, and the 1000 Steps Kokoda Track Memorial Walk in the Dandenong Ranges.
Melbourne is a flat, walkable city, and its best walks mix gardens, river paths and the laneways of the CBD, where free trams make it easy to walk one way and ride back. For a bigger outing, the Dandenong Ranges are about an hour east. Melbourne's weather changes fast, so carry a layer even on a sunny day. For more ideas, see our free things to do in Melbourne.
Melbourne's favourite 3.8km loop around the Botanic Gardens.
The Tan Track is a 3.8km loop around the Royal Botanic Gardens and Kings Domain, the city's most popular running and walking route, with one notable climb, Anderson Street hill.
It passes the Shrine of Remembrance and has city views along the way.
Good to know: Walk it anticlockwise to take Anderson Street hill downhill.
Birdwood Ave, Melbourne VIC 3004
Lakes, lawns and 8,500 plant species beside the city.
The Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne cover 38 hectares of sweeping lawns, lakes and plant collections from around the world, a short walk from the CBD.
Entry is free.
Good to know: Visit the Ian Potter Foundation Children's Garden with kids.
Birdwood Ave, Melbourne VIC 3004
Cafés, street art and Victorian arcades in the heart of the city.
A loop from Flinders Street station through Degraves Street and Centre Place, the Victorian Block Arcade and Royal Arcade, and the street art of Hosier Lane shows off Melbourne's famous laneway culture.
It takes about an hour at a gentle pace, with coffee stops.
Good to know: Stop for coffee in Degraves Street or Centre Place.
Hosier Ln, Melbourne VIC 3000
A riverside stroll from Southbank to Birrarung Marr.
The paths along both banks of the Yarra link Southbank's restaurants with Federation Square, Birrarung Marr park and the sporting precinct around the MCG, with views of the city skyline.
It is especially lively on summer evenings.
Good to know: Cross back over Princes Bridge for the classic skyline view.
Southbank Promenade, Southbank VIC 3006
A seaside walk ending with penguins at dusk.
The St Kilda foreshore links the palm-lined Esplanade, Luna Park and the beach with St Kilda Pier, where little penguins live on the breakwater and are often seen at dusk.
Tram 96 runs from the CBD.
Good to know: Arrive before sunset to walk the pier and see the penguins.
Pier Rd, St Kilda VIC 3182
A steep, fern-filled climb in the Dandenongs.
The 1000 Steps Kokoda Track Memorial Walk climbs steeply through tall mountain ash and tree-fern gullies in Dandenong Ranges National Park, with plaques commemorating Australians who fought on the Kokoda Track.
It is about an hour's drive east of the city.
Good to know: Go early on weekends, when the car park fills.
Mount Dandenong Tourist Rd, Ferntree Gully VIC 3156
Elm avenues, Cooks' Cottage and a fairy tree.
The Fitzroy Gardens, on the eastern edge of the CBD, have grand elm-lined avenues, a conservatory, the Fairies' Tree and Cooks' Cottage, moved here from England in 1934.
Walk on through Yarra Park to the MCG.
Good to know: Combine with a walk to the MCG.
Wellington Pde, East Melbourne VIC 3002
A 3.8km loop around the Royal Botanic Gardens and Kings Domain, Melbourne's most popular running and walking track, named after the tan bark that once surfaced it.
Start at Flinders Street station and walk through Degraves Street and Centre Place, the Block Arcade and Royal Arcade, then on to the street art of Hosier Lane.
The 1000 Steps Kokoda Track Memorial Walk climbs steeply through fern gullies for about 1.5km each way; it is challenging but suits anyone of reasonable fitness.
Yes. A colony of little penguins lives on the St Kilda pier breakwater, and they are often seen at dusk; follow the volunteers' rules and don't use flash.
Yes. The CBD is compact and flat, the Free Tram Zone covers the centre, and the gardens and river are a short walk away.