Diamond Creek Trail

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Entrance to Edendale Farm, Eltham
Diamond Creek Trail
Length	10km
Difficulty	Easy
Hills	Fitzsimmons Lane
Hazards	Unguarded railway crossing
Water	Diamond Creek, Eltham
Path	Shared use. Asphalt or concrete path
Sights, Landmarks	Edendale Farm Community, Diamond Valley Railway
Connecting Transport
Other Paths	Main Yarra Trail
Bus	Nil
Train	Hurstbridge Line
Tram	Nil

Diamond Creek Trail, located in Australia, runs from the outer northern suburb of Diamond Creek and generally follows the creek and railway to Eltham where it joins the Main Yarra Trail (also called Yarra River Trail). It is mostly flat with some minor rises. It is suitable for children and beginning riders. Scenery includes park lands, the creek valley, and semi-rural suburbia. The trail is fully paved with either concrete or asphalt and is not much affected by tree roots. It is a trail for leisurely riding rather than high-speed commuting and is shared with family groups, children, dogs (on leash) and the elderly. The path is narrow in parts and has many added bends to vary interest.

The trail is poorly signposted and there are a two points where the unwary rider can be easily lost. There are road crossings and an unprotected rail crossing. The main features are Edendale Farm Community Environment Centre and Diamond Valley Railway.

[edit] Riding the trail

Catch a Hurstbridge (Hurstbridge railway line, Melbourne) train to Diamond Creek station. The start of the trail is unmarked, but after leaving the station cross Main Hurstbridge Road, turn right and cross the road bridge. The trail starts on the other side of the bridge next to the toilet block at Diamond Creek Reserve.

The trail appears to end at Allendale Rd, Diamond Creek. To pick it up turn left along Allendale Rd towards the railway crossing – the trail runs along side the track. Between here and Eltham you pass Edendale Farm (admission fee payable).

The trail then runs along Railway Parade until it crosses the railway track opposite Elsa Court. You must dismount to cross the track. This is an open, unguarded crossing. The track then runs along the footpath into the Eltham business district. Riders can finish at Eltham and catch a train back to the city – Eltham railway station is 300 metres down the footpath after the crossing.

If continuing the trail again disappears. One block after the Elsa Court crossing turn right into Diamond St and then continue left in front of the tennis centre. Keep straight on for 200 metres – the trail resumes on the other side of the tennis centre, at Eltham Central Park.

At Withers Way, Eltham, the trail appears to run straight ahead towards Eltham High School. In fact, turn sharp left and cross the bridge. At this point a detour to the nearby Montsalvat can be made by crossing Main Rd at the pedestrian crossing and heading up Dalton St. Continuing, the trail narrows and twists through the park, until it comes to Eltham Lower Park. The park is famous for the Diamond Valley Railway, much-loved by generations of children (and adults).

On the far side of Eltham Lower Park there are two choices: Continue to the left where the path meets up with the footbridge across the Yarra. Crossing the footbridge leads directly to the Main Yarra Trail. Alternatively bear right and head up the path running alongside Fitzsimmons Lane (a major road). After a steep climb and descent turn left into Candlebark Park. Cross under Fitzsimmons Lane and join the Main Yarra Trail in Westerfolds Park.

Cycling time at a leisurely pace: one hour. The next railway station is Heidelberg, about 14 kilometres along the Main Yarra Trail.