St Georges Road Trail

__NOTOC__MelbourneBikePath


DESCRIPTION=The Path Looking towards Melbourne CBD
NAME=St Georges Road Trail
LENGTH=9.6km
DIFFICULTY=Easy
HILLS=
HAZARDS=Cars
WATER=None
PATH=
BUS=
TRAIN=Stations along the Epping line
TRAM=Route 112

The St Georges Road Trail is a shared use path for cyclists and pedestrians, which follows Cheddar and St Georges Road in the inner northern suburbs of Reservoir, Preston and Thornbury 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=41 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] ]

The trail is somewhat unusual, in that part of the way, it is located on the wide traffic island that divides the road in two, instead of being located beside the road. As a consequence, somewhat more care has to be taken when crossing at the intersections.

Following the Path

Leave the Western Ring Road Trail at Dalton Road. There are no signs to the St Georges Road Trail at this point. On the west side of Dalton Road, 400m south from the highway is a 600m trail/goat track, which can be used optionally. When there is a break in the busy traffic, cross to the east side of Dalton Road. The trail starts at Burbank Drive, 1.4km from the Metropolitan Ring Road and heads down a pipe reserve.

From there it follows Cheddar Road to a large intersection at the Reservoir shopping area and comes to a stop. Take to the road or footpath and veer to the left (south) down High Street. Once directly opposite the Reservoir station carpark, cross at the traffic lights. Continue alongside the reservoirs hiding behind the rows of trees lining the street on either side. The path restarts in the GE Robinson reserve, beside the palms.

On the south side of the park the trail runs parallel to Robinson Road past Regent railway station. Follow the train line. 600m later, the path crosses the tracks and soon reaches St Georges Road and Murray Road.

Carefully cross over to the dividing strip going down the middle of St Georges Road. The trail stays on the dividing strip the whole way, except for a 500m section, between Ray Braham Gardens and Miller Street by the tram corral.

The most southerly end of the trail terminates at a roundabout with St Georges Road, Charles Street and Merri Parade. Take care here. The roundabout is a blackspot for cyclists. [" [http://www.theage.com.au/news/in-depth/danger-in-a-roundabout-way/2006/10/02/1159641219351.html Danger in a roundabout way] ", part of "Cycling the City - an AGE series". The Age October 2, 2006] The Merri Creek Trail can be picked up on the other side of the roundabout at Merri Parade.

Connections

Nearly reaches the Western Ring Road Trail in the north and connects to the Merri Creek Trail in the south.

North end at coord|37.696450|S|145.022673|E.South end at coord|37.776796|S|144.989642|E.

References

* "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/12211/ Bicycle Victoria - Black spots]