Mullum Mullum Creek Trail
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| Mullum Mullum Creek Trail | |
|---|---|
 Mullum Mullum Creek Trail through Yarran Dheran | |
| Length | Upper 5.4km, lower 7.8km |
| Location | Melbourne, Victoria, Australia |
| Difficulty | Easy |
| Hazards | Horses |
| Hills | Undulating |
| Train(s) | Ringwood station |
| Tram(s) | None |
The Mullum Mullum Creek Trail is a shared use path for cyclists and pedestrians, which follows Mullum Mullum Creek in the outer eastern suburbs in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.[1][2][3] The Mullum Mullum Creek Trail extends from the Eastlink Trail at Sherbrook Park to Highland Avenue in Croydon.
The path was previously split into two sections, but later connected to form one continuous trail from Templestowe to Croydon. The lower section of the path consists of the Yarra River Trail in Templestowe and Park Road in Donvale. The upper section is between the end of the Heads Road in Donvale and Highland Avenue in Croydon. The central section, between Park Road and Heads Road in Donvale, was completed in July 2018 and formally opened on 16 September 2018.[4]
Upper section
The upper section starts at the end of Highland Ave. The path heads in a south west direction, with at-level road crossings at Kalinda Road, Oban Road, and Oliver Street. The trail heads under a tunnel, with an immediate junction. Trail users can turn left, heading east toward the Belgrave Rail Trail, which runs on-road along Larissa Avenue and Ringwood Lake. The Mullum Mullum Creek Trail takes a right turn towards Eastland Shopping Centre. A road crossing at Warrandyte Road and a tunnel under Ringwood Street connects to the end of the EastLink Trail. There is also access under Deep Creek Road and into Yarran Dheran under the EastLink onramps. The path is paved and mixed with timber bridges and boardwalks.
At the junction of Quarry Road and Becketts Road there is an at-level crossing. After the crossing, the trail splits into two. To the north west is the start of the Koonung Creek Trail. Turning right continues to the end point of the Mullum Mullum Creek Trail at Heads Road.
The Koonung Creek Trail heads to Doncaster and eventually the Melbourne CBD along the Eastern Freeway. Along the route are the Mullum Mullum Creek and Mullum Mullum Creek Park.
Central Section
The 1 km 'missing link' of the Mullum Mullum Creek Trail, from Heads Road to Park Road south, runs along the boundary of Whitefriars College. Before it was upgraded it was an informal dirt track. Construction through this section was delayed for various reasons, including the installation of new sewer main infrastructure along the corridor.[5] 600 metres of sewer pipes were installed by Yarra Valley Water as part of the Donvale Sewerage Project in March 2017.[6] From 2016-17, Manningham Council undertook enabling works at Park Road to allow construction to commence as soon as the sewerage works are completed, with three bridges across the creek being pre-fabricated offsite.[7][8] This section of the path is a 2.5 metre-wide concrete surface consisting of three bridges, a 40 metre ramp, and several boardwalks.[8]
Prior to September 2018, trail users wishing to travel from Schwerkolt Cottage to the lower section and to the Main Yarra Trail at Templestowe were required to detour, continuing along the Koonung Creek Trail up to Park Road. Due to the steep and narrow nature of Heads Road, in addition to lacking a footpath or bicycle lane, trail users still take the former detour.
Lower section
The lower section starts at Park Road and continues 8.5 km to the Main Yarra Trail and crosses Heidelberg - Warrandyte Road. On the far side is a wooden bridge and boardwalk - continue to the left - the right leads to a tea house at Beasley's Nursery.
After 1.1 km the path opens up into a more open area and meets the Greengully Trail that enters from the left (south). Users can continue past large open areas where Kangaroos/Wallabies can be seen on a regular basis. Deer have also been sighted.
The trail ends at the confluence of the Mullum Mullum Creek and the Yarra River in Templestowe. A lookout surveys the spot. The Main Yarra Trail starts here.
