The trail can be enjoyed in various sections.

Carparking can be limited and generally requires parking on side streets.

There are water fountains, toilets and bike repair stations at regular intervals.

This description describes the trail heading north to south.

From East Malvern to Kew it is also known as the Anniversary Trail.

Fairfield to East Camberwell (8km)

The corridor begins at the Fairfield railway station on the Hurstbridge line and there is a short section of path towards Heidelberg Rd but then deteriorates as this section is yet to be developed.

From Heidelberg Rd the rail trail proper starts beside the Chandler Highway and between here and the Yarra River is the former Australian Paper Mills site where a lot of urban renewal development is underway so the view here will change regularly.

The Yarra River bridge is a real feature. The railway bridge was converted to a two land road bridge when the railway closed and was one of Melbourne’s most congested roads until 2020 when a new six lane road bridge opened to the south and the former railway bridge became the rail trail bridge with many interesting features including portholes to the river below.

On the south side is the connection with the Main Yarra Trail underneath.

There is now a narrow and noise bike path over the Eastern Freeway and the start of the “Anniversary Trail” section. It’s a long ascent with the former formation to the right up to High St, Kew. At High St. Kew, cross at the lights to get through busy Harp Village junction.

The trail is now a “proper” rail trail again, on the formation of the former railway. Until it passes under Canterbury Rd the trail is in a deep cutting for several kilometres – a somewhat hidden gem of tranquillity buried in the eastern suburbs. This section is particularly busy before and after school so don’t expect tranquillity at these times.

East Camberwell to East Malvern (7km)

The trail passes through Boorondara Park then under the Belgrave/Lilydale Line at East Camberwell station.

From here the trail is well away from the rail alignment for awhile and at Prospect Hill Road it winds around a hockey club. It winds its way past Riversdale, Willison and Hartwell stations.

It then follows the alignment of the Alamein railway line but undulates. The next crossing, Toorak Road, can be very busy, and has an extremely steep (but fortunately short) descent. Shops here or at High St are a good place to stop for refreshment.

The end of the railway line is reached at Alamein station and a very picturesque starts with old railway catenary poles still carrying electrical wires overhead although there were never any electric trains in this section!

The “Anniversary Trail” now ends at the Gardiners Creek Trail intersection. Once a long timber rail bridge crossed Gardiners Creek at this point.

After crossing Gardiners Creek the trail runs through Malvern Valley Public Golf Course. Stick carefully to the trail and at the golfing tee-offs, head south to get back on the original alignment (the Gardiners Creek Trail keeps heading west).

Use the pedestrian and cyclist overpass bridge to cross the Glen Waverley Railway line and the Monash Freeway. The trail meets the Scotchman’s Creek Trail here, which you could follow to your right all the way to Jells Park.

East Malvern to Hughesdale (2km)

Make your way through the East Malvern station carkpark and cross Waverley Rd.

After Waverley Road the trail passes through the Malvern urban forest (enter from the carpark on the left or stay on the bitumen trail to the right of the reserve), once the site of the Waverley Road Station. This is a beautiful native bushland park with several trails running in parallel and is the only unsealed section of the trail.

Heads south to the busy six-lane Dandenong Road/Princes Hwy. Head west 200m to cross at pedestrian lights then follow the service lane to the east for 200m to rejoin the rail trail proper.

The trail passes through Boyd Park before ending at the impressive Hughesdale Station on the Dandenong railway line and the Djerring Track beneath the “Sky Rail”. You can also join in Boyd Park, very popular.