Blackburn/Box Hill South to Oakleigh by park and backstreet
Route contributed by Elaine Hopper who rides this way to work
Start point (Melway 47 G1)
Middleborough-Canterbury Road SouthWest corner
End point
Oakleigh Shopping Centre (Melway 69 G8)
Distance: 11 km approx.
[This is a good commuting route as it is basically diagnonal through parks
and quieter streets. Oakleigh is a good recreational destination, too, for
great food shops, secondhand shops, and the old cemetery in the open park.]
Let's begin. The first part is also a very handy way for students and staff to get to Deakin University and avoid parking problems!
From the south-west corner of the Midleborough - Canterbury Roads intersection take the new bitumen bike path that follows the creek south-west past the Box Hill Golf course.
This path exits into the quiet end of Riversdale Road. Go west up Riversdale Road and cross Station Street at the lights.
Travel south downhill along the footpath into Gardiners Creek Reserve and traverse the whole length of the park coming out at Burwood Highway near Elgar Road (Melway 61 B6)
Cross Burwood Highway and go again into the park, travelling south through its length until you meet Highbury Road
You can cross Highbury at a convenient pedestrian crossing and continue on into the next section of park which will take you through to High Street Road (Melway 60 J11)
Cross High Street Road. Now you need to take Winbirra Parade following it right along as it becomesPower Avenue after you pass under the railway line. (Melway 60 J12). Very shortly after the railway line, there is a roundabout near some shops. A sports ground (Home of the Falcons) will be ahead.
Go right at the roundabout into Batesford Road for a very short distance taking the first left turn into Maroo(t) Street (Melway 69 D5) following to its end.
You now need to cross Waverley Road and get into the street opposite -- Atkinson
Street
This can be the trickiest part as there is no pedestrian crossing and cars
turn left and (illegally) right at busy times making it hard to pick a moment
to get across.
Once across, follow Atkinson which will take you on a good wide roadway over the freeway and up to the Princes Highway where you can cross with the lights and continue (on Atkinson) into the heart of Oakleigh!
Elaine Hopper 2007