The “Tan” is a hugely popular gravel running route looping around Melbourne’s Royal Botanic Gardens and Kings Domain. The Domain Parklands include Kings Domain, Government House Reserve, Shrine of Remembrance Reserve and the Royal Botanic Gardens, extending to the river.

Running the ‘Tan’ in Melbourne is a thing: the website Run The Tan is a central source for ALL official recorded run times around the 3.827 km (2.378 miles) Tan Track, plus other information and resources. It features electronic clocks with the fastest male and female running times recorded and are a way for local runners and walkers to record their own times around the track.

Add-Ons: The gardens and the ornamental lake they circle are alluring, but it’s also worth checking out the World War I Shrine of Remembrance, monument to lost Oarsmen, and the Government House (where the Governor of Victoria Resides). If you’re lucky, you can catch a Quidditch match in action at the Harry Potter inspired Quidditch Park. Overall, it’s a flat, easy to navigate run that will breeze by with all the greenery and scenery.

You can also enjoy the trails along the Yarra River.

Botanical Gardens Info