Dusting off the cobwebs - Ed and Leonie - Dight Falls Collingwood Victoria

MONDAY NOV 17 / 2014 / by Andrew Talati
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Ed and Leonie - dusting off the cobwebs at Dight Falls CollingwoodDight Falls - Collingwood

Near the Collingwood Children’s Farm, at Dights Falls, we met Ed and Leonie out for a ride. After dusting the cobwebs from the bikes and pumping up the tyres they were back out riding after a winter break.

This Thornbury couple typically tackle one of two circuits, both on the Capital City Trail; either heading towards the city or the in the opposite direction towards the farm.

The Capital City Trail

The Capital City Trail is a 30km trail of car-free paths that travel around inner Melbourne. This no-hills trail is the perfect way to discover or rediscover Melbourne and its landmarks. The trail loop follows part of the Yarra River and passes by Docklands, Federation Square, Royal Botanic Gardens, Como House, Abbotsford Convent, Dights Falls, Merri Creek, Brunswick Street and the fantastic Melbourne Zoo.

It also takes in:

  • Southbank
  • Alexandra Gardens
  • Melbourne Park
  • Melbourne Cricket Ground
  • Yarra Bend Park
  • Collingwood Children’s Farm
  • Hardy Gallagher Reserve
  • Rushall Garden
  • Princes Park
  • Royal Park
  • Docklands Stadium

The Capital City Trail is made up of sections of other popular Melbourne cycling trails, including:

  • Merri Creek Trail
  • Main Yarra Trail
  • Moonee Ponds Creek Trail
  • Inner Circle Rail Trail

Being a circuit trail – there’s no start or end point – just get on and off wherever you choose. As a guide – it 13kms from Abbotsford Convent to Federation Square, 9kms from the Abbotsford Convent to the Melbourne Zoo and 9kms from the Melbourne Zoo to Docklands. Ed and Leonie were hoping to make it down to Sandringham to take a look at what the Spring had to offer – a good first ride after a hibernation period – and were going to try and muster up enough money for lunch. We suggested giving busking a try but according to Ed, ‘No one ever offered me money to open my mouth. Maybe to close it’. Ah, we loved listening to you Ed!

If you want to give the Capital City Trail a go but don’t own a bike, we hear you can easily hire one in Carlton North. From there you can head west or east, depending on your mood.

Setting a great example

After a break from having the bikes out, Ed and Leonie were out to fulfil a ‘need for air, need for nature, need for exercise’. As Ed puts it, ‘we’re all natural animals’ and need to get back to that every now and then.

They also want to show their kids that they can do it. ‘They think we’re hopeless so it’s good to show them.’ Now 30 and 33 years old, Ed and Leonie’s kids are both into driving. Their daughter is a late bloomer in regards to driving, not having ridden since she recently got her licence. Their son now owns and enjoys driving a 4WD. They want to get out regularly on their bikes to set a good example and show their kids that driving isn’t the only way to travel.

The Fishway at Dight Falls Collingwood

There are so many great attractions including the Fishway that was constrcuted in 2012 to help the migraiton of fish upstream. With so many events and places dotted along the Capital City Trail and being such an easy ride – it’s the perfect and safe way to get out and about in Melbourne with the family. It’s takes in so many amazing parks so perhaps it’s the right time to get back to nature, spend some time together, take in a picnic and get some well-deserved fresh air and exercise.

More information about the Collingwood Children’s Farm http://www.farm.org.au

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