Follow path to North West (Northern bank) upstream passing under Princess Bridge immediately on leaving the Sanctuary. 

1 km – Barwon Edge Boathouse, a great spot to stop off for a coffee and bite to eat

2.7 km – Queens Park Bridge – Continue straight ahead

3.7 km – Confluence of Barwon & Moorabool Rivers

4km -  Take left fork – unmade road to car park and back onto bitumen bike path.  (Straight ahead on bike path goes to Hamilton Highway crossing at Fyansford.   Fyansford is a historic hamlet with a general store full of antiques with great home made cakes, a possible stopping point.

5 km – first of three foot/cycling bridges -

Left turn over bridge and continue over next two bridges.  (Right turn extension – 200m to Lower Paper Mills Road – note row of historic mill workers cottages.  A steep path on the river side of these cottages leads to the historic paper mill and river works associated with it.  Well worth the side trip – except for the first path (very steep) most of the paths through this area are suitable for mountain bikes or hybrids.)

 After crossing the third bridge (over the Barwon at Queens Park Golf Course) turn left. (You are now on the south (Highton/Belmont) side of the river and moving back downstream.)  (Right turn extension – 500 m on bike path to lower car park/picnic area for Buckleys Falls.  An information shelter gives information.  Walks from here to Falls Lookout (400m) and Bunyip Pool Landing (600m).)

8.3 km– Queens Park Bridge (Toilets on right just before bridge)– cross beneath bridge and continue on south bank of the river.

10km – Princes Bridge – cross beneath bridge and continue on south bank of the river (path is shared with cars for a short distance before resuming as pedestrian/bike path)

Barwon Valley Fun Park (on right) has a great play area.  The island in the lake is a map of Australia. Toilets within the Fun Park

12.5 km – Footbridge - cross beneath bridge and continue on south bank of the river
Cross beneath 2 road bridges (which are on La Trobe Terrace/Princess Highway and Moorabool Streets)

13 km – Boat ramp opposite Rowing sheds – continue through boat ramp car park and back onto bike path (Toilets just past Barwon Bridge)

Pass through sheoak forest and Belmont Common Public Golf Course
(Possible extension – Waurn Ponds Creek path - turn right onto bike path at far end of Golf Course, follow a bike path beside the golf course and old motorcross track to Breakwater Road – cross the road to bike path through South Barwon Reserve (ovals, toilets etc) and continue south on path to cross Barwon Heads Road.  This path follows Waurn Ponds Creek for about 7km kilometers (Road crossing at Surf Coast Highway), past Waurn Ponds Shopping Centre to terminate at the Princess Highway – at some points there are paths on both sides of the creek.  Return the same way.)

14.8km – Breakwater – Low level road bridge (and the easiest crossing of the river downstream from Balyang Sanctuary).  Cross river on the bike path beside the road.

Turn left – gravel (take care as surface is loose for about 200 metres)

Continue upstream on northern side of river (path is gravel for about 1.5 km – people with road bikes may prefer to avoid this section).

Pass Landy Field (athletics complex – named after John Landy – first Australian and second in world to break the 4 minute mile)

Pass rowing sheds (for clubs and schools).

17.4km – Barwon Bridge (Moorabool Street) – continue on path

Continue under LaTrobe Terrace road bridge – Macintyre Footbridge – continue on path (Side trip to Barwon Grange National Trust Property – Take path up to Footbridge but do not cross – continue on path (north) to gravel road.  Barwon Grange is on the right and is usually open on Sundays)

20 km - Balyang Sanctuary