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Popular Rides

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Ride the Capital City Trail

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City >> Yarra River >> Abbotsford Convent >> Fitzroy North >> Royal Park >> Docklands >> City

Distance: 30KM (loop)

The Ride: Mostly flat with some undulation, 90% bike path

The Capital City Trail is a shared path for bikes and pedestrians that loops for around 30km around Melbourne. It starts at the Yarra River heading east then north, crosses Melbourne's inner northern suburbs to Royal Park and then ends up in Melbourne's newest area by the water, Docklands. It's a great way to spend a day in Melbourne, and see the variety of scenery the city has to offer. Along the way, there are many worthwhile stops including the Abbotsford Convent, the Melbourne Zoo at Royal Park and the 'very Melbourne' neighbourhoods of Fitzroy North and Brunswick. Rent bikes from us and you're already at the start of the trail!

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Highlights:

Yarra River

The Yarra River is the most prominent river in Melbourne. From it's source in the Yarra Ranges, the river runs west, snaking it's way around Melbourne's north eastern and cutting it's way through the city center to it's mouth at Port Philip Bay. The bike trail that runs along the river is a popular bike commute for many Melbournians. See and smell the Eucalypt trees as you head up the river and get a taste of the Aussie bush without leaving the city.

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Abbotsford Convent

With it's prime position on the Yarra River, the convent is an easy stop and must-do when completing the Capital City Trail. The convent is an ex-monastic site home to over 100 studios, two galleries, cafes, a radio station, a school, and an abundance of green open space. Next to the convent is the Collingwood Children's Farm, featuring cow milking and guinea pig cuddling, it's a great place for families.

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Fitzroy North

Head along to Fitzroy North after the Merri Creek trail section and you will find a classic Melbourne suburb, filled with cafes and restaurants. Here you can check out intact Victorian and Edwardian era terraced housing. If you're planning a picnic along the way, head to Piedimonte's Supermarket, a local grocer that stocks plenty of continental and locally made products.

Alfred Cresent, North Fitzroy.

Royal Park

Royal Park is the largest inner-city park in Melbourne and is situated at the North western tip of the trail. Highlights here include the Melbourne Zoo, a 9-hole golf course and a nature playground. The trail cuts through the western side of the Park, the hilliest section of the Capital City trail.

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Docklands

Melbourne's newest business hub is home to some of Australia's biggest companies and banks. It's also a great place for shopping and dining. You'll even find Australia's biggest ice sports center and Olympic training venue here. Ride along New Quay and take in the city views. This is a good place for an ice cream stop on the way back to Freddy's!

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Popular Rides / Suburban Rides / Yarra River Rides - 12/19/2017
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Biking to Port Melbourne & St. Kilda

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City >> Port Melbourne >> St. Kilda >> Albert Park Lake >> Botanical Gardens >> Yarra River >> City

Distance: 20KM (loop)

The Ride: Flat, mostly bike paths and some roads

This is one of the most popular rides for those renting bikes from Freddy's Bike Rentals. From our shop in Batman Park, it's very easy to get to the bayside. There is a bike path running along side the 109 tram all the way to Port Melbourne, and from there you can just follow the Bay Trail along the shore going to St. Kilda. On your way back to the City or CBD, it's best to check out Albert Park Lake and also the Botanical Gardens. Follow the route map at the bottom of this post!

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Highlights:

Port Melbourne

Once an industrial suburb, Port Melbourne is now a very classy part of town! Wander down the main street, Bay St. and you'll find many cafes, restaurants and boutique shops. This is the perfect first stop on your way to St. Kilda. Grab a morning coffee, sit by the beach, and watch the many ships coming in and out of Port Philip Bay.

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St. Kilda

St. Kilda is a hive of activity pretty much any time of the day, throughout the year. It's a backpacker hang-out and no wonder, with a lively pub & band scene and proximity to the beach. Don't miss the legendary cake shops on Acland St, a photo opportunity in front of Luna Park (see pic) and if it's the right time of day, grab a pint at the Espy - a local institution!

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Albert Park Lake

Every March, this quiet, picturesque suburban lake transforms into the race track for the Australian Formula 1 Grand Prix. During the other months of the year you can ride your bike where the F1 cars would race and take in the beautiful surrounds and great Melbourne skyline views.

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Royal Botanical Gardens

The Royal Botanical Gardens of Victoria contain over 8,500 species of flauna is also home to an amazing range of wildlife. Situated close to the banks of the Yarra, the gardens are a must visit in Melbourne, and a perfect way to take in a sunny afternoon. While here, it's worth checking out Victoria's excellent war memorial, the Shrine of Remembrance.

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Bayside Rides / Popular Rides / Suburban Rides - 12/18/2017

Ride the Yarra River Trail

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City >> Yarra River >> Abbotsford Convent >> Dights Falls >> Studley Park Boathouse >> Fairfield Park Boathouse & Tea Gardens

Distance: 22KM one way

The Ride: Bike trail, mostly flat before Abbotsford Convent, with some hills after

Melbourne's Yarra River is a popular bike riding route for both locals and tourists both for it's bike-ability and bush scenery. Head up the river for 10km and you'll feel like you're not even in the city anymore. As you wind your way up through Melbourne's east, you'll discover some hidden gems including multi-arts precinct, the Abbotsford Convent, Dights Falls and Studley Park Boathouse. This route covers 22km one way going as far as Fairfield Boathouse, however depending on your confidence on the streets, you could take more direct route coming back to the city that would only be around 8-9km.

Highlights:

Yarra River

The Yarra River is the most prominent river in Melbourne. From it's source in the Yarra Ranges, the river runs west, snaking it's way around Melbourne's north eastern and cutting it's way through the city center to it's mouth at Port Philip Bay. The bike trail that runs along the river is a popular bike commute for many Melbournians. Sea and smell the Eucalypt trees as you head up the river and get a taste of the Aussie bush without leaving the city.

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Abbotsford Convent

With it's prime position on the Yarra River, the convent is an easy stop and must-do when completing the Capital City Trail. The convent is an ex-monastic site home to over 100 studios, two galleries, cafes, a radio station, a school, and an abundance of green open space. Next to the convent is the Collingwood Children's Farm, featuring cow milking and guinea pig cuddling, it's a great place for families.

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Dights Falls

At the next bend on from the convent is Dights Falls, an artificial weir built on a natural rock bar across the Yarra. The weir was built in the 1940's to provide water for a flour mill. Prior to European settlement, the area was also very important for the indigenous people who used it as a river crossing and a place to trap migrating fish.

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Studley Park Boathouse

The oldest public boathouse on the Yarra houses a restaurant and cafe and is the perfect place to stop and for a leisurely lunch on your way up the river trail. You can also hire out paddle boats and kayaks if you're feeling like taking your active day to the next level.

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Popular Rides / Yarra River Rides - 01/08/2018
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Great Ocean Road by Bike

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Melbourne >> Geelong (train) >> Torquay >> Great Ocean Rd >> Warnambool >> Melbourne (train)

Distance: 268KM (Geelong to Warrnambool)

The Ride: Scenic but challenging - many hills to contend with! This ride is not for beginners!

Victoria's most famous stretch of coastal road is visited by hundreds of thousands of tourists each year. Most come via bus, van or their own rental car...but we recommend another way! If you have the time and you're willing to do the hard work, going by bike is one of the cheapest and most thrilling ways you can do the Great Ocean Road. Make overnight stops at a number of coastal hamlets along the way and do it at your own pace. Our multi-day rental packages are perfect for this with 7-day hire for road and mountain bikes only AU$110. You can take the bikes on the Vline train from Southern Cross Station (5mins from our shop) to Geelong - here you can start your journey down to the coast. Coming back, you can ride a train from Warrnambool in Victoria's west - go to https://www.vline.com.au/ for schedule and fare details.

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Highlights:

Torquay

The first stop is also the surfing capital of Victoria. Torquay is home to the famous Bells Beach, home to the Rip Curl Pro, one of world surfing's most famous and longest running events. As one of the bigger towns found on the coast, in Torquay you'll also find many accomodation options and great restaurants and cafes.

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Lorne

Perhaps the most picturesque of towns found along the Great Ocean Road, you should definitely consider Lorne as an overnight stop. The small township is surrounded by lush forests and is protected by it's own little bay making ocean swimming much safer here compared to other places along the coast. Walk to Erskine Falls and dine out at one of the many restaurants in town.

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12 Apostles

Perhaps the crown jewel of Victoria's tourist attractions, the 12 Apostles draw hundreds of thousands of tourists each year. Our recommendation is to be here either early in the morning or late in the afternoon to avoid the busses! However, no matter the number of people, these unique rock formations jutting out of the Southern Ocean are still a sight to behold. 
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City Rides / Popular Rides / Suburban Rides - 02/07/2019
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Ride Albert Park Lake via South Melbourne Market

City >> South Melbourne >> Albert Park >> Southbank >> City

Distance: 11KM (loop)

The Ride: Flat, mostly riding on roads with bike lanes

A perfect DIY ride around Melbourne's inner-south, this is an easy, flat 10km ride that offers lots of variety and is very accessible from our shop. Our recommended stop-offs include the bustling South Melbourne Market, beautiful Albert Park Lake where you can ride the Formula 1 Grand Prix track and the Australian Centre of Contemporary Art at Southbank. The wide, relatively quiet streets are great for biking and most of our route includes roads with bike lanes for extra piece of mind!

Highlights:

South Melbourne Market

Open every Wednesday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday, this is one of Melbourne's busiest and trendy markets. This is the home of the famous South Melbourne Market Dim Sim - a delicious golden ball of fried (or steamed) meaty, cabbage-y goodness. A must try! The butcher and deli section is well worth a look and if you're a fan of freshly shucked oysters you've come to the right spot. Also check out SO:ME - a unique retail concept featuring some of Melbourne's most innovative young designers.

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Albert Park Lake

Formula 1 cars screech around the 5.3km circuit each March for the Australian Grand Prix, but outside this time, Albert Park Lake is a peaceful part of town, full of community sports facilities, walking tracks and of course, bike paths. There is abundant birdlife to be found here and the views of the city skyline are pretty special. Visit towards the end of Feb and early March and be lucky enough to ride on the Formula 1 track itself with the grandstands in place.

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Australian Centre for Contemporary Art

One of Australia's leading public institutions of contemporary art, ACCA is worth a stop on your way back through Southbank to our shop. The iconic red-rust building is impressive in itself and is open from Tuesday to Sunday and admission is free! Read more at the ACCA Website.
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City Rides / Popular Rides / Suburban Rides - 01/21/2019
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Biking Melbourne’s inner city

Southbank >> Shrine of Remembrance >> Sports Precinct >> Parliament House >> Royal Exhibition Building >> Queen Victoria Market

Distance: 14KM (loop)

The Ride: Bike paths and roads with bike lanes. Some hills heading to the north of the city.

Melbourne's status as a 'bike city' is improving every year. The city is constantly adding more bike lanes, and protected bike lanes. This route will take you along bike paths at Southbank, Kings Domain (Shrine of Remembrance) and the sports precinct. Heading north, you can ride up beside Fitzroy Gardens, and take the less busy city streets to Parliament, Royal Exhibition Building and the Queen Victoria Market. For further reference on Melbourne's cycling lanes and routes, click here. If you are not so sure about heading out on to the roads by yourself, why not join our City Tour and be led around by one of our knowledgeable local guides.

Highlights:

Southbank

Southbank is Melbourne's river promenade, stretching from the Victorian Arts Centre on St. Kilda Rd to the end of Crown Casino at Clarendon St. It's here you'll get Melbourne's 'European city' vibes, as cyclists and pedestrians share a path lined with bars, restaurants and street performers.

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Shrine of Remembrance

Located on St. Kilda Rd, and not far from the Royal Botanical Gardens, is Victoria's greatest monument. The Shrine of Remembrance was originally built to remember the 19,000 Victorian lives lost in the 1st World War. Today it stands as a memorial to all wars in which Victorians both served and died. While you're here, climb the stairs to the balcony and take in the magnificent views of Melbourne. Shrine tours are held daily at 11am and 12.45pm.

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Sports Precinct

Melbourne's magnificent sports precinct, located a stone's throw away from the Yarra River, is where you'll find our most important religious site, the Melbourne Cricket Ground! Also here is the world famous Melbourne Park and Rod Laver Arena, home to the Australian Open tennis every January.

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Parliament House & Royal Exhibition Building

At the top end of the Melbourne CBD there are many historical buildings worth checking out. At the intersection of Bourke and Spring St is the grand building of the Victorian Parliament, tours run daily when parliament is not sitting. Further to the north at Carlton Gardens is the Royal Exhibition Building. Built for the World Fair in 1880, this impressive building was also home to the first sitting of Australia's Federal Parliament in 1901.

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Queen Victoria Market

The 'Queen Vic' is the city's largest market. Since 1878, this bustling site has been providing Melbournians with the freshest local fruit and vegetables, as well as meat, seafood and much more. The market's Food Hall is particularly popular and for good reason, stocking an excellent range of continental cheeses, meats and fresh bread. It's also the place to go for souvenirs - the market houses vendors selling quintessential Aussie products like akubra hats, ugg boots and stubby holders! The market is closed Mondays and Wednesdays. Check opening times here.
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City Rides / Popular Rides - 01/03/2018
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Cruise around hipster Fitzroy & Collingwood

City >> Queen Vic Market >> Carlton >> Fitzroy >> Collingwood >> Sports Precinct >> City

Distance: 13KM (loop)

The Ride: Some up and down, mostly roads with some bike paths

Fitzroy and Collingwood are two inner city suburbs situated just north of the Melbourne city center. This is one of Melbourne's most creative, most lively and definitely most hipster areas. Known for it's many bars and restaurants, vintage shops, small fashion boutiques and flourishing arts scene, Fitzroy and Collingwood are two areas you won't want to miss - and the best way to see them is by bike, of course! On the way, we suggest you check out the fresh produce and quality continental food at Queen Victoria Market and ride through Melbourne's little Italy, Lygon St., Carlton.

Highlights:

Queen Victoria Market

The 'Queen Vic' is the city's largest market. Since 1878, this bustling site has been providing Melbournians with the freshest local fruit and vegetables, as well as meat, seafood and much more. The market's Food Hall is particularly popular and for good reason, stocking an excellent range of continental cheeses, meats and fresh bread. It's also the place to go for souvenirs - the market houses vendors selling quintessential Aussie products like akubra hats, ugg boots and stubby holders! The market is closed Mondays and Wednesdays.

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Lygon St., Carlton

Lygon Street plays an important role in the history of Melbourne's ever expanding and ever diverse culinary scene. This is pizza and pasta central, and the place where the city's famous cafe culture was born, our very own little Italy. On both sides of Lygon Street, you'll find Italian restaurants spilling out on the sidewalk, with some establishments operating here since the 1950s! Lygon St. itself is not such a friendly bike street, so it's best to hop-off the bike and do this strip by foot.

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Brunswick St., Fitzroy

Brunswick Street is possibly the most 'Melbourne' of Melbourne streets! It has trams, cafes, bars, rooftop bars, wine bars, traditional pubs and cuisines from around the world at the many restaurants. Oh, and to top that you're definitely going to spot a bearded hipster or two, so yes, this is Melbourne all in one! Off Brunswick St. on Moor St, you'll find our favourite lunch hang-out, Grub Food Van - check it out!

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Smith St. & Gertrude St., Collingwood

Once a blue-collar area and home to the most famous of Australian Rules football teams, Collingwood has developed into one of Melbourne's most eclectic and colourful suburbs. On the streets of Smith and Gertrude you can find some of Melbourne's best restaurants, bars and vintage clothing shops. There is plenty to see here, and at the other end of Smith St you'll find outlets for many major sports apparel and shoe brands.

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Sports Precinct

On the way back to Freddy's from Collingwood, why not drop by Melbourne's magnificent sports precinct, where you'll see our most important religious site, the Melbourne Cricket Ground! And the world famous Melbourne Park and Rod Laver Arena, home to the Australian Open tennis every January.

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Popular Rides / Suburban Rides - 12/20/2017

FREDDY'S BIKE TOURS

20 Rebecca Walk, Melbourne, Victoria 3000
+61 490 553 673
bookings@freddysbiketours.com.au

OPEN 9.30AM - 6PM DAILY

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