- Duration
- 7 km on foot, ~5 h (≈ 3 h 35 min: moving and stop time only)
- Who it suits
- Everyone
- Transport
- walk
- Start
- CERES
- Finish
- Abbotsford Convent
- Pace
- moderate pace
- Best time
- a weekday, or Saturday before noon
- Budget per adult
- coffee, plus the farm ticket if you want the yardPrices as of: July 2026; transport and zoo prices October 2026
Getting there
Tram to East Brunswick for CERES, then walk the creek to Abbotsford Convent. A full-fare bank card works.
Stops in order
The text version of the route: stops, time at each and the legs between them. Times are estimates, without queues, traffic or swims.
1. CERES~50 min at the stop
Breakfast on the urban farm by the creek. The Merri Creek trail runs south from here to the Yarra, and the inner north walks it all the time.
Tip: CERES is free to enter and park. There's a market every Saturday. Eat at Merri Cafe before you set off: there are no cafés along the trail.
Open on the map ↗↓ walk · 45 min · 3.4 km
2. Dights Falls~20 min at the stop
The ledge where the Merri meets the Yarra. Water noise, a bridge and the turn toward the convent. Very few visitors know the name.
Tip: After rain the rocks are slick. Stay on the path, off the lip.
Open on the map ↗↓ walk · 12 min · 0.8 km
3. Collingwood Children's Farm~35 min at the stop
The river farm: if you skip the yard ticket, walk the fence line. The goats are still in view, and the path is free.
Worth knowing: The not-for-profit farm has run on the banks of the Birrarung (Yarra) since 1979, so city kids can meet animals and the land.
Tip: The farm opens 9:30am daily. Entry A$20 adult, A$10 child, under-2s free. Without kids the fence-line path is enough.
Open on the map ↗↓ walk · 8 min · 0.4 km
4. Abbotsford Convent~45 min at the stop
Finish at the former convent on the Yarra: brick wings, lawns and studios of Australia's largest arts precinct. Eat at Convent Bakery or the Japanese Kappaya.
Worth knowing: The site was a working convent from 1863 to 1975. The brick complex is now the country's largest arts precinct, on the Yarra.
Tip: Grounds open daily 7:30am to 10pm. Weekend history tours start at 2pm. On a weekday grab a coffee and sit on the grass.
Open on the map ↗
Before you go
- Route times are estimates: walking, driving and a sensible pause at each stop. Add queues, traffic and swims yourself.
- Prices, timetables and trail status change. Check the venue's official site and the state transport app before you go.
- On beaches, swim only between the red and yellow flags. Use sun protection even when it is cloudy.