Name: Tan Track
Rating: 4.0

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Plan in onX Backcountry

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Features Views

Family Friendly From kids to adults, the Tan is a pleasant walking track. Be sure to head inside the botanic gardens to see some amazing flora.

Overview

Without a doubt this is Melbourne's most popular walking track. Head out to the Tan to see why!

Need to Know

The start/end point on this hike is arbitrary. You should hop on/off this track wherever you see fit.

As an added bonus to this awesome hike, there are drinking fountains littered throughout.

Description

This wide dirt track is Melbourne's answer for most of its exercise-hungry residents. For a loop situated deep inside the city's CBD, it seems to check off all of the necessary boxes:

Easily accessed from downtown
Built for all abilities (dog walkers, joggers, and olympians)
Scenic views either of the city itself or of the Botanic Gardens

History & Background

Established in 1901 as part of developing Alexandria Avenue, the name "Tan" comes from the tan-bark surfacing they used for the equestrian path. In 1974, the track was resurfaced, car parking on the track was banned, and the loop was created.