At over 180 hectares, Royal Park is the biggest park in the City of Melbourne, offering a giant expanse of green to offset the busyness of nearby Royal Parade and Flemington Road. 

For a bayside jaunt that remains pretty flat the whole way through, venture west and jump aboard the section of the Hobsons Bay Coastal Trail linking Altona Pier to Williamstown. 

Trick your brain into thinking you're miles away from the big smoke by embarking on a nature-filled trek through the Darebin Parklands. Nestled in amongst residential streets, this bushland park serves up 33 hectares of tranquil public green space.

If you're keen for a dose of striking coastline, wild bushland and secluded beach, the Bushrangers Bay Trail is sure to impress. Located on the lower tip of the Mornington Peninsula, this 2.6-kilometre jaunt kicks off from the historic Cape Schanck lighthouse.

This inner-city coastal trail is one of Melbourne's most popular; free of hills, but always buzzy and offering ample opportunity for people-watching. 

Weaving through picturesque suburban parkland between Brimbank Park and Southbank, the Maribyrnong River Trail stretches 28 kilometres in full — which means options galore for anyone wanting to hit the pavement west of the CBD. 

An easy three kilometres from the CBD, the spacious precinct of Albert Park is packed with flat walking trails, picnic areas, open spaces, drinking fountains and of course, that iconic namesake lake. 

One of Melbourne's best-known urban walking tracks, the Capital City Trail takes you on a 29-kilometre loop around the CBD and inner-northeast suburbs, linking to plenty of other popular routes along the way. 

For a relaxed trip through the best of inner-north suburbia, get your kicks on the well-trodden Merri Creek Trail. This one stretches 21 kilometres between Dights Falls and the Western Ring Road at Fawkner.