25 March: Bike Trails
Get out your lycra and stack hat, the team is going on a cycling tour of Victoria. Lauren Newton shows you how to pick the perfect bike whilst Loz, Bridget, Nicole, Billy and Glen show you the best bike paths, the best places to stop along the way and, most importantly, how to fix a puncture.
Pick a Bike
Bicycle technology has certainly come a long way since the days of three speed gears and back brakes. Lauren visits Goldcross Cycles to help find a way through the myriad of choices. Clean, healthy and inexpensive, no wonder millions of Australians have taken up cycling in the last few years.
www.goldcross.com.au
Warburton Trail Ride
This trail is so accessible you can get to it by car, train, horse or, of course, by bike. The trail is a shared path, so it's important to be careful passing other cyclists and pedestrians. When the cycling becomes too much, there's great places to stop along the way. Loz drops into Cog Bike Café and quickly learns that it is a top place to indulge yourself and your bike.
www.yarravalleytrails.org.au
Great Southern Rail Trail
Bridget heads off to Koonwarra along the Great Southern Rail Trail. The 7.5 kilometre trip takes about 40 minutes to cycle, with plenty to see along the way. The scenery has not changed much from the early 1900s when the rail trail was used for hauling local produce and black coal back and forth to feed the old steam locomotives. So sit back, relax and enjoy the scenery!
www.promcountry.com.au/railtrail
St Kilda Foreshore Rail Trail
There is something so energising about being by the water. Sure, it's the exercise, but this is about having some fun too. Nicole becomes one of the thousands of Victorians to tackle the St Kilda Foreshore Rail Trail, which stretches 43 kilometres from Port Melbourne to Mordialloc.
Main Yarra Trail
The Main Yarra Bike Trail runs from Eltham Station to Flinders Street, covering about 41 kilometres. Join Bridget as she concentrates on the leg from Westerfolds Park to Bulleen, where she'll discover art galleries and studios as beautiful as the river itself.
Sandridge Bike Trail
The Sandridge Rail Trail follows the route of Australia's first steam railway, starting at Flinders Street Station and finishing down by the beach at Port Melbourne. Join Billy as he discovers interesting facts about the historic Sandridge Bridge and the glass panels and artworks that were erected as a tribute to Australia's migrants.
Walhalla Rail Trail
Glen's journey along the Walhalla rail trail starts just outside Rawson. He rides down through the forest by the Thompson River to the old railway line. This trail is recommended for riders with any level of experience. Most of the surrounding area was lucky to survive the recent bushfires, so the trails are operational and local towns are open for business.
What's On
Melbourne International Flower and Garden Show
The Melbourne International Flower and Garden Show is the largest in the Southern Hemisphere. Colour will be paramount.
Where: Royal Exhibition Buildings and Carlton Gardens
When: 28 March–1 April, from 9am daily
More: www.thatsmelbourne.com.au
Free Animated Kids Classics at ACMI
The animated smorgasbord at ACMI these school holidays includes story time favourite Gerald McBoing Boing and classic Disney cartoons featuring Goofy and Winnie the Pooh.
Where: ACMI, Federation Square
When: 2–6 April and 9–13 April
More: www.thatsmelbourne.com.au
Melbourne International Comedy Festival
And starting 4 April this years Melbourne International Comedy Festival has more than 280 shows to choose from.
Where: Various Locations
When: 4–29 April
More: www.thatsmelbourne.com.au
