Walking & Cycling
Walking and cycling provides an easy way to be active and improve your health, all while exploring the outdoors and helping the environment. Hobsons Bay offers formal shared paths and footpaths as well as a wide range of parks and nature reserves and friendly local streets and shopping strips.
Popular walking tracks and cycling routes
There are 40km network of coastal and inland shared trails in Hobsons Bay.
Hobsons Bay Coastal Trail
Commencing at the West Gate Bridge in Spotswood the 23 kilometre trail follows the Williamstown and Altona foreshores to Skeleton Creek in Altona Meadows.
Hobsons Bay Coastal Trail map.pdf(PDF, 632KB)
Skeleton Creek Trail, Altona Meadows
Linking Cheetham Wetlands, Altona Meadows and Seabrook, this shared path is approximately 6.5 kilometres in length.
Laverton Creek Trail
Commencing at the Laverton Creek Bridge in Altona this 6.2 kilometre trail links to the Hobsons Bay Coastal Trail.
Kororoit Creek Trail
This trail is approximately 7.6 kilometres long and includes sections of concrete, gravel and unmade trail taking the traveller through parkland, industrial areas and conservation zones.
Cherry Lake Trail
A circuit around Cherry Lake, approximately 3.5 kilometres long, providing access to picnic and barbecue facilities, a large regional playground and a wildlife conservation zone.
The etiquette of using shared paths
Shared paths are designed for use by people of all ages including pedestrians, cyclists, people with prams, people using wheelchairs or mobility scooters, joggers, children on scooters, and dog walkers. Shared paths are marked by a sign showing the image of a pedestrian and a bike. Council encourages all shared path users to follow these etiquette guidelines to ensure that the shared paths are safe and enjoyable.
Tips and rules for using shared paths:
- be courteous, aware and considerate of other path users and especially when walking in a group
- keep to the left to allow other users to pass and to avoid blocking paths, move off the path when stopped
- keep your dog on a lead
- at night, light coloured or reflective clothing should be worn
- explain to children these rules and ensure they understand
- cyclists should obey the above as well as riding at a safe speed so that you can stop quickly if necessary, giving way to all other users, warning other users when overtaking using your bell or a friendly warning about 30 metres before passing, ensuring a working bell or similar warning device and using front and rear lights at night
Walking and cycling groups in Hobsons Bay
Walking groups
Newport Community Education Centre and Spotswood Community House run walking groups.
Laverton Walkers meet every Thursday at 9.30am approximately for one hour walks throughout Hobsons Bay. Contact Josie Magro, volunteer walking group leader on 9360 7149.
Altona Walkers is a local group where members are invited to participate on walks that usually last an hour and are often followed by refreshments at a local cafe (optional).
The group have regular walks on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday mornings, and throughout the week. Saturday or Sunday morning walks are a bit more adventurous.
Membership is open to all ages and fitness levels and is free. Additional information is available at https://www.facebook.com/groups/AltonaWalkers
Contact: Shelley Kerr
Phone: 0409 982 392
Mighty West Walkers
The group has been walking for over 5 years and has been very active in Hobsons Bay, helping to promote the Heart Foundation. The group has an outstanding record of walks, walking 3 times a week from Altona, Altona Meadows and Newport. Come along to regular walks to meet new friends and boost your health.
When: Monday, Wednesday, Friday
Contact: Ian Watson - 0411 566 862
John Petersen - 0412 369 876
Cycling groups
BayWest BUG is a Bicycle Users Group covering the City Council areas of Hobsons Bay, Wyndham and Maribyrnong. This group is for riders over 18 years old.
BayWest BUG concentrate on attractive and interesting rides that are generally undemanding and are paced appropriately for group riding on the day. The social side is as important to them as the exercise with all rides stopping for coffee, cake and conversation. Social evenings out and trips away are also enjoyed.
Contact: Denice Perryman
Phone: 0429167013 or Email: deniceperryman1@gmail.com
Visit the Baywest BUG website
Hobsons Bay BUG meets at the Newport Community Education Centre, 43 Mason Street, Newport and organises regular rides and social events.
Bicycle Network Victoria is the peak body for increasing bicycle awareness and use, bicycle safety, bicycle insurance, better bike facilities including more bike paths and coordinating major cycling events such as Ride to Work Day, the Great Victorian Bike Ride and Around the Bay in a Day. Call 8376 8888 (Freecall 1800 639 634) or visit their website.