Where to run AUS

 

Australia is blessed with world-class running destinations, and both Victoria and Tasmania offer diverse trails, scenic tracks, and hidden gems perfect for runners of all abilities. Whether you’re visiting Melbourne for the weekend or exploring Tasmania’s rugged coastline, this guide highlights some of the best running spots worth adding to your list.

 

Running in Victoria

 

Melbourne’s Popular City Tracks

Melbourne is often described as a running mecca thanks to its variety of inner-city trails and parklands. Tourists and locals alike flock to the Tan Track, Princes Park and Albert Park Lake, but beyond these favourites, there are plenty of lesser-known options that provide new scenery and quieter runs.

Melbourne City

"Sunset - Melbourne CBD and the Yarra River as seen from the Eureka Tower" by Jorge Lascar is licensed under CC BY 2.0

 

Yarra Bend Park and Northern Trails

 

On the north side of the city, Yarra Bend Park offers sealed and unsealed trails winding along the Yarra River. From here, you can follow the river downstream into Richmond or head upstream towards Kew and Ivanhoe. The park also connects to the Merri Creek and Darebin Creek Trails, opening up even more running options north of the city.

Yarra Bend Park

"Fork in path at Yarra Bend Park, Abbotsford" by Phillip Mallis is licensed under CC BY 2.0

South of the City: Braeside Park and Beyond

 

About 40 minutes from Melbourne’s CBD, Braeside Park is home to wide gravel trails and a 6km perimeter loop that remains one of Melbourne’s most underrated running spots.

Head further east to explore the Dandenong Ranges, Lysterfield Lake, and Churchill Park, all offering excellent trail running opportunities.

  • Dandenong Ranges & Churchill Park: Expect hills, fire trails, and single-track trails for more advanced runners.
  • Lysterfield Lake: A mix of options, from beginner-friendly lakeside tracks to more technical terrain deeper into the park.

  • Jells, Nortons & Koomba Parks: Flat, sealed trails combined with undulating forest single-tracks for variety.

 

Western Trails and the Maribyrnong River

Melbourne’s western suburbs provide just as much variety. The Maribyrnong River Trail stretches through Footscray and Aberfeldie with mostly sealed paths, but the best section lies further west near Brimbank Park, where shaded gravel paths make for a scenic long run.

 

The You Yangs and Regional Victoria

Heading towards Geelong, the You Yangs feature both beginner-friendly fire trails and more technical climbs up Flinders Peak. Further afield, runners flock to the Alpine town of Bright, home of the Buffalo Stampede, where road and trail options abound year-round.

Regional centres like Bendigo and Ballarat also have thriving running cultures, with rugged bushland and forest trails providing both beauty and challenge.

 

Running in Tasmania

 

Hobart and Surrounds

Hobart offers a variety of excellent running trails close to the CBD:

  • Queens Domain: A daily favourite for locals, featuring sealed and gravel trails with views of the River Derwent.

  • Risdon Brook Dam Track: A shaded 4km gravel loop surrounded by pine and native trees, just 20 minutes from the city.

  • Pipeline Track: Halfway up kunanyi/Mount Wellington, this shaded trail gradually climbs through impressive scenery, ideal for long runs.

Derby Tasmania

"Fish Boulder, Derby, Tasmania" by Steven Penton is licensed under CC BY 2.0


Derby and the East Coast

Famous as a mountain-biking hub, Derby is also an excellent spot for runners. The trail from Derby to Branxholm offers a smooth surface for easy runs, while Mutual Road provides a hillier dirt-road challenge on the way to St Helens.

 

Launceston Running Tracks

In Launceston, Heritage Forest is ideal for shorter sessions, with a loop of about 3km per lap. For longer, flatter runs, head to the River Tamar Trail, which features paths on both sides of the river in the heart of the city.

 

Victoria and Tasmania are rich in running opportunities, from Melbourne’s riverside tracks to Tasmania’s shaded mountain trails. Whether you’re after a short city jog, a long-distance trail run, or a hidden gem off the beaten path, these regions deliver some of the best running experiences in Australia.

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