Capital City Bike trail - Melbourne
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Introduction
The Capital City Bike Trail Project has been an idea that started brewing when I first moved to Melbourne 15 years ago. I lived not far from the North Carlton section of the trail and I bought an old Repco bike off an 80year old neighbour. I was not (and still not) an avid bike rider, more of a muddling along type. I was blown away by the beauty of the trail, from riding alongside gurgling creeks and through beautiful tunnels to weaving along under the architecture of roads above and through Southbank and along the Yarra. I made it around the bike trail in one go, a grand total of one time. Otherwise, I’ve just done sections of it on my way to somewhere else.
The trail is close to 30kms long and is poorly signposted. I’ve decided to do a year long project to capture the path and map it out and share the highlights along the way.
The ultimate goal is to produce a book and hold an exhibition late in 2027.
I’ve been out a few times to take photos and I’m gathering ideas and practicing skills along the way. Come along on the journey with me as I capture the highlights (and lowlights) of the Capital City Bike Trail.
The TrAIL
The Capital City Trail is an almost 30km path for cyclists and pedestrians, which circles the Melbourne city centre and some inner eastern and northern suburbs. The trail is a great way of exploring Melbourne, either by bike or on foot.
The trail loops around the city and is mostly made up of sections of other trails - the Merri Creek Trail, Main Yarra Trail, Moonee Ponds Creek Trail and Inner Circle Rail Trail.
The project
I walked into a Brunswick Book store many years ago and walked out with a large book on the Tour de France. I have absolutely zero interested in the Tour de France so why did I hand over my hard earned dollars on a book about it? One reason - the Photography. I went on to use this book as inspiration for a Level 2 Photography Course I was teaching at RMIT. Many of my former students will have their own project about cycling as it provides an opportunity to practice a great range of photography skills. Action photography has never been high on my list of interests but learning the skills is invaluable. I am currently practicing with shutter speeds to know how fast I need to go to stop a fast moving bike and also how slow to go to get the best panning shot.
There’s a lot of patience involved. Waiting and timing are the key requirements. Perhaps it’s a winter thing, or maybe Murphy’s Law, or I need to choose peak hour, but you can wait an awful long time between bikes to get a shot. Guarantee the best way is to put the camera down or walk away or pick up your phone and suddenly there will be a flurry of bikes go past. Then throw in the ever changing light. You have the shot lined up, the light is perfect - no bikes. A bike comes along and either the sun will disappear behind a cloud or a pedestrian will be right where you want to take the photo. It’s proving to be a good challenge.
Stories along the way
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Stories along the way 〰️
Sunday 28 June 2026 - Heartbreak Hill and The Good Samaritan
Todays story is broken into two sections. The first is Heartbreak Hill. Along the Merri Creek Trail as you pass under Heidelberg Rd, you’ll hit possibly the steepest part of the whole trail (i’ll get back to you on that once I’ve done a bit more research). Whilst it’s nothing to the fit, experienced rider, for the average weekend enthusiast it might present as a bit of a challenge. I’ll be going back again as the light wasn’t quite in the right place, but it was good practice checking out some angles. I got a shot from the bridge and one from the top of the path, and before I wandered down the hill to get a shot looking back up, I went looking for a loo. Alas, no loo nearby but I lined up a shot just as the path heads back down to creek level, and I waited. And I waited and I waited. And the only bike that came along was being pushed. I expected people to push their bikes up heartbreak hill but I didn’t think this section of the track looked too steep but who am I to judge. I watched the guy trudge along the path, expecting him to get back on his bike and when he didn’t I realise the problem was fitness, it was a flat tyre.
I was still waiting for my shot before heading off for a coffee (and a loo) but then I thought I’d follow the guy in case he was heading to the bike repair station up on the corner. I reckon I’d taken about 10 steps and suddenly there were bikes of all shapes and sizes coming along the path and in both directions. I hesitated about going back to my perfect position to get the shot I’d been waiting for and decided to abandon the idea (it wasn’t that great a spot really). I grumbled about timing and Murphy’s Law that after waiting at least 10minutes the bikes decide to turn up after I walk away, and went looking for the forlorn looking bloke with the flat tyre. I spotted him with his bike upturned just near the top of Heartbreak Hill, where a good Samaritan had offered to help him. I walked up for a chat and turns out the repair station wouldn’t have been any use for Peter as he didn’t have a puncture kit. But, Glen the Good Samaritan did and set to work fixing the tyre, saving a very grateful Peter from a long walk pushing his bike home. A heartwarming moment along the Capital City Trail.
Sunday June 21. Coffee at the Children’s Farm Cafe
Slight change of plans as the Children’s Farm Cafe was unexpectedly close. Detour off the other side of the path to the Abbotsford Convent. I didn’t end up getting any cycling shots because I wandered around the convent and ran out of time. This will be a recommended stop off on the way around the trail.
Saturday June 20. The Winter Solstice.
The clouds cleared and the afternoon winter sun shed a golden glow across the land, just as I was driving along Heidelberg road. This warranted a quick detour to Yarra Bend Park and down the path to check out the Merri Creek Labyrinth. By the time I got there the sun had departed and I was left with the late gloomy afternoon light and an absolute dearth of cyclists.
There was some creekside seating on the other side of the path but the Labyrinth and bike path were just as deserted.
I lined up my shot and waited. And waited. And just as I gave up and put the camera down, a cyclist sped past. I got two quick shots but not the angle I had previously lined up, so there’ll be another visit to the Labyrith in order.
One last lonely cyclist as I made my way back to the car. Not an overly successful days shooting
Sunday 14 June 2026
A section of the Inner Circle Rail Trail in Carlton North, passing through two tunnels from Bowen Crescent (Princes Park) to where it joins the Upfield Shared Path.
I need to practice my panning shots!
Sunday 31 June 2026. Last Day of Autumn. First Day of the project.
The plan had been to start a few weeks ago to capture the autumn colours but I got RSV instead. I’m still not feeling 100% so I drove to this spot instead of riding my bike as intended. This is part of the Merri Creek Trail, just before you get to Rushall Station, heading North (?). Lots of experimenting with the camera today and exploring different angles. Lots of waiting for a bike to come along the path and hoping the magic light stays (it didn’t). Playing with shutter speeds and showing movement.
I’ve made a start. Hooray!
