Sandridge Trail

__NOTOC__MelbourneBikePath


DESCRIPTION=Sandridge Trail, looking towards Melbourne.
NAME=Sandridge Trail
LENGTH=3.0 km
DIFFICULTY=Easy
HILLS=None
HAZARDS=Trams at the tram corral
WATER=None
PATH=
BUS=
TRAIN=Flinders Street Station
TRAM=Route 109

The Sandridge Trail is a shared-use path for cyclists and pedestrians located in the inner southern suburb of Port Melbourne in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. [ [http://maps.vicroads.vic.gov.au/website/bikes2b/viewer.htm VicRoads - Bicycle Facilities Map] ] [ [http://www.bigyak.net.au/gmaps/vicbiketrailsgmap.html?slct2=38 Melbourne and Geelong's shared paths in Google Maps] ] [ [http://www.bigyak.net.au/bike/bike.html#melgel Melbourne and Geelong's shared paths in Google Earth] ] .

It follows the former Port Melbourne railway line, now the 109 tram route. The trail is also known as the 109 tram trail, which is a misnomer since the tram goes to Box Hill, while the trail only goes to the CBD.

The trail is significant as it follows the path many new immigrants to Australia took when they first entered the country to begin a new life. See also Sandridge Bridge.

As of 2007, the Melbourne Convention Centre area is being developed further. [ [http://www.mecc.com.au/www/html/123-melbourne-convention-centre-development.asp Melbourne Exhibition and Convention Centre] ] The development is to maintain a link between the Sandridge Trail and Capital City Trail.

Following the Path

At Melbourne Exhibition and Convention Centre leave the Capital City Trail by the Yarra River and head south down Clarendon Street to where the Restaurant Trams start their run at Normandy Road. The off road trail starts here and heads west along Normandy Rd soon arriving at the tram corral.

Connections

The Sandridge Trail connects with the Bayside Trail in the west. Heading north leads to West Gate Bridge and the Yarra River punt. Heading south leads to St Kilda. The Capital City Trail is located at the east end and runs into the Melbourne city centre. Cyclists arriving from Tasmania on the Spirit of Tasmania can access the CBD using this path.

* West end at coord|37.841276|S|144.932568|E
* East end at coord|37.823744|S|144.955654|E

References

* [http://museumvictoria.com.au/railways/pdf/sandridge_railway_trail.pdf Sandridge Railway Trail] : rail map, notes and history
* "Bike rides around Melbourne" 2nd edition, 2006, Julia Blunden, Open Spaces Publishing, ISBN 0-9752333-2-7

External links

* [http://www.bv.com.au/change-the-world/12041/ Bicycle Victoria - Melbourne Convention Centre]
* [http://www.railtrails.org.au/states/trails.php3?action=trail&trail=106 Sandridge Railway Trail - description of the trail]
* [http://immigration.museum.vic.gov.au/ Immigration museum - Melbourne]
* [http://www.westgatepunt.com.au/ Yarra punt]
* [http://www.tramrestaurant.com.au/ Restaurant tram]