Great Ocean Road Clifftop Walk: Torquay <> Jan Juc Steps (rating A)

If you like Ocean View, you'll love this clifftop walk.

We started the walk at the car park @ the end of Surf Beach Drive (near Torquay Foreshore Reserve). 
From Broadwalk to Jan Juc Steps.  The view was spectacular!  The walk was easier than moderate, my mum (she's 60+, and the kids could manage it).  Mum didn't go down the steps of Jan Juc Steps though.

The tide was high during our walk, so we didn't really walk on the beach, except the signs between W75 & W76 where we walked on the beach and passed the rockpool, and that was fun for everyone.

Highly recommend "Rocky Point", "The Bird Rock", and "Jan Juc Steps"!

It took us 3.5 hrs return. (2 hrs to Jan Juc Steps, coz we stopped to admire the ocean, waves, view; and 1.5 hrs walking back)

 

(Beach between W75 & W76)

 

(Bird Rock Lookout)

 

(Jan Juc Steps - Breathtaking)

Rosalind park @ Bendigo (rating B)

Bendigo is a town with beautiful old buildings.  You would love this city if you love architecture. 

Rosalind park is a beautiful as a picture, the playground is a heaven for primary school aged kids, the lookout its just as awesome!  The tracks & layout are perfect for a peaceful stroll.

I would rate it 'A' if dogs were allowed offleash.  Unfortunately, they can only go onleash.

Bike Riding: botanic garden <> steeles creek reserve (my rating B)

From end to end, it's about 40km return, we did it in 4.5hrs, excluding big afternoon tea at dockland.  We parked the car at botanic garden st. kilda.  Since it's saturday, it's free after 12.30pm. 

Rode past alexander garden, along the yarra river, till south wharf, crossed the bridge, entering docklands, along harbour esp, climbed over the bridge to footscray.  Got onto maribynong river trail.  At raleigh rd, turn into chifley drive.  At tune end of the drive, cross the bridge, into riverside park.  Very step dirt road, we had to dismount & push thie bikes.  As we went higher & higher, the view got better & better.  Our plan was to finish at brimbank park, but when we were in the middle of the steeles creek reserve, it was 2.15pm already.  Didn't want to take the risk riding in the dark, we u-turned & back to dockland to enjoy our well earned big afternoon tea.

Dogs are allowed on leash on the entire route, so take you dog with you if s/he can/willing to run alongside.  How far you ride shall depend how much you & your dog can manage.
 
Jessica refuses to run with bikes, so she stayed at home this afternoon.  I'll take her somewhere tomorrow.
But Gleda (8) & keefer (6) did it!

If anyone want to do the maribynong trail, I would suggest to park the car on maribynong st near parker st.  there are a few playgrounds along the trail, to view the landscape from a high point/lookout, make sure you go past riverside park, & go least til lily st.

Picture shows the view from between prospect st & lily st.

Victoria Park @ Ballarat (My Rating: D)

Victoria Park in Ballarat is an offleash park, the bike track is shared with vehicles and that makes me feel a bit uncomfortable to let kids ride on the track.

Skate Park @ Kilmore (My Rating: B)

The Park in Kilmore has a fenced playground and a skate park.  Jessica went off leash as I couldn't find any sign saying "on leash", the only sign saying "dogs not allowed" is on the fence of playground.  There is a bike path along the river, but we didn't bring the bikes. 

The kids had a sweaty afternoon in the skate park after playground.

All Nations Park @ Northcote (my rating A)

Offleash park with nice bike/shared path, a rocky 'mountain' to climb.  Bike track is complex enough to be interesting.  There are 2 playgrounds and 1 skate park in the park.  The park is near shopping centre.  We rode bike to a cafe and sat outdoor for our afternoon tea.

Details:
All Nations Park (link to Darebin City Council webpage)

The Map is from Darebin City Council website.

Cruise@Echuca (My Rating: B)

Dogs are allowed to some steamerboats in Echuca! 

Clifftop Walk: Anglesea ( my rating A)

Coastal Clifftop Walk with marvelous view, walk from Anglesea Visitor Centre to Point Roadknight,  includes uphill & downhill, beach & rock climbing, it's truly an adventure to everyone.  Dogs can go offleash between Mar - Nov except Easter.  We did the loop in 3 hrs.  When back to the carpark, we had afternoon tea at a cafe!

Get info of High Tide and Low Tide beforehand, Wear Walking Boots.

Bass Coast Rail Trail (my rating: C)

The trail might be good for bike riding, but seemed a bit boring for walk.

You Yangs Regional Park (My Rating: A)

You Yangs Regional Park in victoria is a nice park to explore with kids & dogs.  Big rocks along the way to summit, kids would love to climb, & dogs can hop among them finding the way up, if walking on the track becomes a bit boring. 
A viewing platform on the summit, it's a treat to people climbed to the top!
Awesome!

Bike riding at royal park (my rating A)

Royal park near gatehouse street & royal parade is a nice area to ride bike, the path is nicely paved, flat & smooth, is good for roller blading as well.  it's big, too.  Besides, it's an offleash area, see the map below.  Yellow means offleash.  Map obtained from Local Council website.