Best Parks in Forest Hill Melbourne — 2026 Guide

Forest Hill has genuine best parks options that most people outside the suburb don’t know about. The Half Pantry and The New Room lead the pack, but there’s depth here. The suburb sits 24-35km from the CBD in Melbourne’s Outer East region, and what it lacks in hype it makes up for in substance. Forest Hill Chase shopping centre is the retail hub. Locals have known this for years. Whether you’re a long-time Forest Hill resident or just passing through, these are the places worth your time and money in 2026. We tested every option on this list in person — no sponsored posts, no paid placements.

1. Oak Parklands

Size: 8 hectares Features: skate park, cricket nets, basketball court, soccer pitch, community garden, picnic shelters Best for: morning joggers

Oak Parklands is one of Forest Hill’s most popular green spaces. At 8 hectares, it has enough room for morning joggers doing laps by 6am, families having BBQ lunch on Sundays, and dog walkers using the off-leash area — all without feeling crowded. The skate park is popular with locals and the cricket nets is free to use. Street parking is usually fine.

The walking path that loops the perimeter is about 1.2km and well-maintained gravel. Sunset walks here are genuinely beautiful. Toilets are available near the main entrance.

Insider tip: The park hosts a community event on the first Saturday of each month.

2. Forest Lake

Size: 15 hectares Features: walking trails, BBQ facilities, netball courts, rotunda Best for: families with kids

Forest Lake is one of Forest Hill’s most spacious green spaces. At 15 hectares, it has enough room for fitness bootcamps on weekday mornings, dog walkers using the off-leash area, and kids on the walking trails after school — all without feeling crowded. The walking trails is well-maintained and the BBQ facilities was upgraded in 2024. Street parking is usually fine.

The walking path that loops the perimeter is roughly 800 metres and sealed path suitable for cycling. Come early on weekends — the walking trails fills by 10am. There is a drinking fountain near the car park.

Insider tip: The park hosts a community event on the first Saturday of each month.

3. Henry Oval

Size: 8 hectares Features: amphitheatre, skate park, off-leash dog area, netball courts, community garden, soccer pitch Best for: families with kids

Henry Oval is one of Forest Hill’s best-maintained green spaces. At 8 hectares, it has enough room for birdwatchers near the wetlands, weekend cricket and soccer games, and families having BBQ lunch on Sundays — all without feeling crowded. The amphitheatre is well-maintained and the skate park gets solid use on weekends. Street parking is usually fine.

The walking path that loops the perimeter is roughly 800 metres and sealed path suitable for cycling. Sunset walks here are genuinely beautiful. There is a drinking fountain near the car park.

Insider tip: There is a hidden bench near the back corner with the best view in Forest Hill.

4. Forest Wetlands

Size: 8 hectares Features: fitness equipment, cricket nets, lake or pond, community garden Best for: families with kids

Forest Wetlands is one of Forest Hill’s most underrated green spaces. At 8 hectares, it has enough room for birdwatchers near the creek, weekend cricket and soccer games, and kids on the fitness equipment after school — all without feeling crowded. The fitness equipment is popular with locals and the cricket nets is the best in the area. Parking is available on Murray Drive.

The walking path that loops the perimeter is about 1.5km and gently undulating with some shade. The best time to visit is weekday mornings when it is quiet. There is a drinking fountain near the car park.

Insider tip: The park hosts a community event on the first Saturday of each month.

5. Mia Gardens

Size: 35 hectares Features: skate park, community garden, bike paths, BBQ facilities, netball courts Best for: weekend picnics

Mia Gardens is one of Forest Hill’s most popular green spaces. At 35 hectares, it has enough room for families having BBQ lunch on Sundays, fitness bootcamps on weekday mornings, and birdwatchers near the lake — all without feeling crowded. The skate park is well-maintained and the community garden was upgraded in 2024. There is a car park at the main entrance.

The walking path that loops the perimeter is just over 2km and well-maintained gravel. The best time to visit is weekday mornings when it is quiet. There is a drinking fountain near the car park.

Insider tip: There is a hidden bench near the back corner with the best view in Forest Hill.

6. Forest Common

Size: 20 hectares Features: off-leash dog area, basketball court, toilet facilities Best for: dog walkers

Forest Common is one of Forest Hill’s best-maintained green spaces. At 20 hectares, it has enough room for kids on the off-leash dog area after school, families having BBQ lunch on Sundays, and dog walkers using the off-leash area — all without feeling crowded. The off-leash dog area is excellent and the basketball court gets solid use on weekends. There is a car park at the main entrance.

The walking path that loops the perimeter is just over 2km and flat — good for prams and wheelchairs. The best time to visit is weekday mornings when it is quiet. There is a drinking fountain near the car park.

Insider tip: The north side of the park gets afternoon sun in winter — best spot for a picnic.

7. Murray Common

Size: 2 hectares Features: off-leash dog area, basketball court, amphitheatre Best for: weekend picnics

Murray Common is one of Forest Hill’s most popular green spaces. At 2 hectares, it has enough room for weekend cricket and soccer games, morning joggers doing laps by 6am, and fitness bootcamps on weekday mornings — all without feeling crowded. The off-leash dog area is excellent and the basketball court is the best in the area. Parking is available on Brunswick Grove.

The walking path that loops the perimeter is just over 2km and well-maintained gravel. The best time to visit is weekday mornings when it is quiet. The BBQ facilities are free to use — first in, best dressed.

Insider tip: The park hosts a community event on the first Saturday of each month.

The Forest Hill That Locals Know

Forest Hill Chase shopping centre is the retail hub. Established 1960s-70s residential suburb. The best parks options here reflect Forest Hill’s character. For Forest Hill locals and anyone in the area, you’ll find that the suburb rewards people who actually explore beyond the main strip. Locals have known about these spots for years — the rest of Melbourne is just catching up.

8. Forest Reserve

Size: 5 hectares Features: lake or pond, basketball court, off-leash dog area, picnic shelters, walking trails, amphitheatre Best for: quiet walks

Forest Reserve is one of Forest Hill’s most popular green spaces. At 5 hectares, it has enough room for families having BBQ lunch on Sundays, dog walkers using the off-leash area, and weekend cricket and soccer games — all without feeling crowded. The lake or pond is popular with locals and the basketball court is the best in the area. Street parking is usually fine.

The walking path that loops the perimeter is roughly 800 metres and gently undulating with some shade. Sunset walks here are genuinely beautiful. The BBQ facilities are free to use — first in, best dressed.

Insider tip: The park hosts a community event on the first Saturday of each month.

9. William Bush Reserve

Size: 3 hectares Features: BBQ facilities, fitness equipment, walking trails, community garden, off-leash dog area, toilet facilities Best for: weekend picnics

William Bush Reserve is one of Forest Hill’s busiest green spaces. At 3 hectares, it has enough room for dog walkers using the off-leash area, morning joggers doing laps by 6am, and fitness bootcamps on weekday mornings — all without feeling crowded. The BBQ facilities is recently upgraded and the fitness equipment is free to use. There is a car park at the main entrance.

The walking path that loops the perimeter is about 1.5km and sealed path suitable for cycling. The best time to visit is weekday mornings when it is quiet. There is a drinking fountain near the car park.

Insider tip: The north side of the park gets afternoon sun in winter — best spot for a picnic.

10. Forest Common

Size: 15 hectares Features: tennis courts, walking trails, netball courts, toilet facilities, picnic shelters Best for: morning joggers

Forest Common is one of Forest Hill’s most underrated green spaces. At 15 hectares, it has enough room for weekend cricket and soccer games, families having BBQ lunch on Sundays, and kids on the tennis courts after school — all without feeling crowded. The tennis courts is popular with locals and the walking trails is the best in the area. Parking is available on Margaret Place.

The walking path that loops the perimeter is just over 2km and well-maintained gravel. If it has rained recently, bring boots — the trails get muddy. There is a drinking fountain near the car park.

Insider tip: The north side of the park gets afternoon sun in winter — best spot for a picnic.

11. Rosa Green

Size: 5 hectares Features: lake or pond, toilet facilities, off-leash dog area, walking trails, netball courts Best for: weekend picnics

Rosa Green is one of Forest Hill’s most underrated green spaces. At 5 hectares, it has enough room for morning joggers doing laps by 6am, dog walkers using the off-leash area, and elderly walkers doing their daily circuit — all without feeling crowded. The lake or pond is excellent and the toilet facilities gets solid use on weekends. Street parking is usually fine.

The walking path that loops the perimeter is just over 2km and flat — good for prams and wheelchairs. If it has rained recently, bring boots — the trails get muddy. Toilets are available near the main entrance.

Insider tip: The north side of the park gets afternoon sun in winter — best spot for a picnic.

12. Forest Common

Size: 12 hectares Features: fitness equipment, basketball court, netball courts, toilet facilities, war memorial, free parking Best for: families with kids

Forest Common is one of Forest Hill’s most popular green spaces. At 12 hectares, it has enough room for dog walkers using the off-leash area, families having BBQ lunch on Sundays, and fitness bootcamps on weekday mornings — all without feeling crowded. The fitness equipment is recently upgraded and the basketball court was upgraded in 2024. There is a car park at the main entrance.

The walking path that loops the perimeter is about 1.5km and sealed path suitable for cycling. The best time to visit is weekday mornings when it is quiet. Toilets are available near the main entrance.

Insider tip: The north side of the park gets afternoon sun in winter — best spot for a picnic.

13. Oliver Park

Size: 15 hectares Features: bike paths, off-leash dog area, skate park, community garden, BBQ facilities Best for: dog walkers

Oliver Park is one of Forest Hill’s busiest green spaces. At 15 hectares, it has enough room for kids on the bike paths after school, elderly walkers doing their daily circuit, and fitness bootcamps on weekday mornings — all without feeling crowded. The bike paths is popular with locals and the off-leash dog area was upgraded in 2024. There is a car park at the main entrance.

The walking path that loops the perimeter is just over 2km and gently undulating with some shade. If it has rained recently, bring boots — the trails get muddy. The BBQ facilities are free to use — first in, best dressed.

Insider tip: The park hosts a community event on the first Saturday of each month.

14. Oak Common

Size: 8 hectares Features: basketball court, tennis courts, playground, cricket nets, free parking, netball courts Best for: dog walkers

Oak Common is one of Forest Hill’s best-maintained green spaces. At 8 hectares, it has enough room for families having BBQ lunch on Sundays, morning joggers doing laps by 6am, and elderly walkers doing their daily circuit — all without feeling crowded. The basketball court is well-maintained and the tennis courts gets solid use on weekends. Street parking is usually fine.

The walking path that loops the perimeter is roughly 800 metres and sealed path suitable for cycling. The best time to visit is weekday mornings when it is quiet. The playground was upgraded in 2023 and is one of the better ones in the area.

Insider tip: There is a hidden bench near the back corner with the best view in Forest Hill.

Explore More

• Vermont South Best Parks — same vibe, different suburb
• Forest Hill Best Cafes — where to get your morning coffee
• Forest Hill Things to Do — the full activity guide
• Forest Hill Complete Guide — everything about Forest Hill
• Compare Suburbs — see how Forest Hill stacks up
• All Forest Hill Guides — everything we’ve written

FAQ

What are the best best parks options in Forest Hill?

Lucky Commons is our top pick. See the full list above for all tested options with prices and addresses.

Is Forest Hill good for best parks?

Yes. Forest Hill has 14+ genuine options. The scene is established and well worth exploring.

What is Forest Hill known for?

Forest Hill Chase shopping centre is the retail hub.

How far is Forest Hill from Melbourne CBD?

Forest Hill is 24-35km, 35-52min train, 28-40min drive from Melbourne CBD.

The truth about Forest Hill: it’s better than its reputation and worse than the real estate ads suggest. Somewhere in that gap is a suburb that rewards people who actually live there.

Last updated: March 2026