Best Parks in Nunawading Melbourne — 2026 Guide

We’ve tested every best parks option in Nunawading to put this list together. The verdict: this suburb delivers. Blue Room is the one everyone knows. The Long Table is the sleeper. Prices are reasonable — coffee at $4.00-4.50, dinner at $18-32. Whitehorse Road strip and Nunawading station. Nunawading sits in the Outer East corridor, 24-35km from Melbourne’s CBD, and the best parks scene here is better than most give it credit for. We’ve been covering Nunawading since MELBZ launched, and the suburb’s options have only improved.

1. Nunawading Gardens

Size: 12 hectares Features: free parking, amphitheatre, picnic shelters Best for: quiet walks

Nunawading Gardens is one of Nunawading’s most spacious green spaces. At 12 hectares, it has enough room for weekend cricket and soccer games, birdwatchers near the native garden, and dog walkers using the off-leash area — all without feeling crowded. The free parking is excellent and the amphitheatre gets solid use on weekends. There is a car park at the main entrance.

The walking path that loops the perimeter is roughly 800 metres and gently undulating with some shade. The best time to visit is weekday mornings when it is quiet. Toilets are available near the main entrance.

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

2. Station Green

Size: 2 hectares Features: lake or pond, community garden, basketball court, soccer pitch, picnic shelters, rotunda Best for: morning joggers

Station Green is one of Nunawading’s most underrated green spaces. At 2 hectares, it has enough room for dog walkers using the off-leash area, elderly walkers doing their daily circuit, and birdwatchers near the creek — all without feeling crowded. The lake or pond is popular with locals and the community garden was upgraded in 2024. Street parking is usually fine.

The walking path that loops the perimeter is about 1.2km 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.

3. Church Oval

Size: 8 hectares Features: war memorial, picnic shelters, netball courts, tennis courts, BBQ facilities Best for: dog walkers

Church Oval is one of Nunawading’s most spacious green spaces. At 8 hectares, it has enough room for families having BBQ lunch on Sundays, dog walkers using the off-leash area, and birdwatchers near the wetlands — all without feeling crowded. The war memorial is excellent and the picnic shelters gets solid use on weekends. Street parking is usually fine.

The walking path that loops the perimeter is just over 2km and sealed path suitable for cycling. If it has rained recently, bring boots — the trails get muddy. The playground was upgraded in 2023 and is one of the better ones in the area.

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

4. Lena Park

Size: 5 hectares Features: war memorial, basketball court, toilet facilities, fitness equipment, picnic shelters, skate park Best for: weekend picnics

Lena Park is one of Nunawading’s busiest green spaces. At 5 hectares, it has enough room for dog walkers using the off-leash area, families having BBQ lunch on Sundays, and birdwatchers near the creek — all without feeling crowded. The war memorial is recently upgraded and the basketball court is the best in the area. Street parking is usually fine.

The walking path that loops the perimeter is about 1.5km and flat — good for prams and wheelchairs. Come early on weekends — the war memorial fills by 10am. The playground was upgraded in 2023 and is one of the better ones in the area.

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

5. Rex Gardens

Size: 2 hectares Features: netball courts, off-leash dog area, amphitheatre, free parking Best for: families with kids

Rex Gardens is one of Nunawading’s most underrated green spaces. At 2 hectares, it has enough room for weekend cricket and soccer games, morning joggers doing laps by 6am, and birdwatchers near the native garden — all without feeling crowded. The netball courts is popular with locals and the off-leash dog area is free to use. Street parking is usually fine.

The walking path that loops the perimeter is just over 2km and well-maintained gravel. Sunset walks here are genuinely beautiful. The BBQ facilities are free to use — first in, best dressed.

Insider tip: The car park on Willow Grove side is less crowded than the main entrance.

6. Hugo Nature Reserve

Size: 5 hectares Features: bike paths, toilet facilities, basketball court, amphitheatre, playground, picnic shelters Best for: families with kids

Hugo Nature Reserve is one of Nunawading’s busiest green spaces. At 5 hectares, it has enough room for fitness bootcamps on weekday mornings, elderly walkers doing their daily circuit, and dog walkers using the off-leash area — all without feeling crowded. The bike paths is recently upgraded 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. The BBQ facilities are free to use — first in, best dressed.

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

7. Nunawading Green

Size: 20 hectares Features: cricket nets, bike paths, basketball court, soccer pitch Best for: quiet walks

Nunawading Green is one of Nunawading’s most underrated green spaces. At 20 hectares, it has enough room for elderly walkers doing their daily circuit, dog walkers using the off-leash area, and weekend cricket and soccer games — all without feeling crowded. The cricket nets is popular with locals and the bike paths is the best in the area. Street parking is usually fine.

The walking path that loops the perimeter is about 1.2km and sealed path suitable for cycling. Sunset walks here are genuinely beautiful. The playground was upgraded in 2023 and is one of the better ones in the area.

Insider tip: The car park on Barkly Crescent side is less crowded than the main entrance.

Why Locals Stay in Nunawading

Whitehorse Road strip and Nunawading station. Eastern suburbs retail corridor. The best parks options here reflect Nunawading’s character. If you’re living in or near Nunawading, 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. Margaret Common

Size: 35 hectares Features: cricket nets, bike paths, playground, toilet facilities Best for: dog walkers

Margaret Common is one of Nunawading’s most popular green spaces. At 35 hectares, it has enough room for elderly walkers doing their daily circuit, families having BBQ lunch on Sundays, and dog walkers using the off-leash area — all without feeling crowded. The cricket nets is well-maintained and the bike paths is free to use. 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. 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.

9. Ash Gardens

Size: 8 hectares Features: amphitheatre, basketball court, cricket nets, fitness equipment, community garden Best for: weekend picnics

Ash Gardens is one of Nunawading’s busiest green spaces. At 8 hectares, it has enough room for kids on the amphitheatre after school, dog walkers using the off-leash area, and weekend cricket and soccer games — all without feeling crowded. The amphitheatre is popular with locals and the basketball court gets solid use on weekends. Street parking is usually fine.

The walking path that loops the perimeter is just over 2km and well-maintained gravel. Sunset walks here are genuinely beautiful. 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. Leo Park

Size: 5 hectares Features: amphitheatre, basketball court, soccer pitch Best for: weekend picnics

Leo Park is one of Nunawading’s best-maintained green spaces. At 5 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 amphitheatre is recently upgraded and the basketball court was upgraded in 2024. Parking is available on Market Terrace.

The walking path that loops the perimeter is roughly 800 metres and gently undulating with some shade. Come early on weekends — the amphitheatre fills by 10am. The playground was upgraded in 2023 and is one of the better ones in the area.

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

11. Oak Recreation Reserve

Size: 8 hectares Features: amphitheatre, rotunda, lake or pond, picnic shelters Best for: dog walkers

Oak Recreation Reserve is one of Nunawading’s most popular green spaces. At 8 hectares, it has enough room for kids on the amphitheatre after school, fitness bootcamps on weekday mornings, and dog walkers using the off-leash area — all without feeling crowded. The amphitheatre is popular with locals and the rotunda was upgraded in 2024. There is a car park at the main entrance.

The walking path that loops the perimeter is roughly 800 metres and gently undulating with some shade. Come early on weekends — the amphitheatre fills by 10am. 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.

12. Nunawading Parklands

Size: 5 hectares Features: off-leash dog area, rotunda, walking trails, lake or pond Best for: quiet walks

Nunawading Parklands is one of Nunawading’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 families having BBQ lunch on Sundays — all without feeling crowded. The off-leash dog area is well-maintained and the rotunda is free to use. Street parking is usually fine.

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. The BBQ facilities are free to use — first in, best dressed.

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

13. Atlas Green

Size: 35 hectares Features: war memorial, walking trails, netball courts, free parking, BBQ facilities, off-leash dog area Best for: dog walkers

Atlas Green is one of Nunawading’s most popular green spaces. At 35 hectares, it has enough room for dog walkers using the off-leash area, fitness bootcamps on weekday mornings, and families having BBQ lunch on Sundays — all without feeling crowded. The war memorial is recently upgraded and the walking trails gets solid use on weekends. Street parking is usually fine.

The walking path that loops the perimeter is just over 2km and sealed path suitable for cycling. Sunset walks here are genuinely beautiful. The BBQ facilities are free to use — first in, best dressed.

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

14. Nunawading Gardens

Size: 8 hectares Features: fitness equipment, tennis courts, toilet facilities, soccer pitch, walking trails, basketball court Best for: weekend picnics

Nunawading Gardens is one of Nunawading’s best-maintained green spaces. At 8 hectares, it has enough room for birdwatchers near the lake, weekend cricket and soccer games, and kids on the fitness equipment after school — all without feeling crowded. The fitness equipment is well-maintained and the tennis courts is free to use. Parking is available on Bourke Road.

The walking path that loops the perimeter is just over 2km 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: The park hosts a community event on the first Saturday of each month.

Explore More

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

FAQ

What are the best best parks options in Nunawading?

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

Is Nunawading good for best parks?

Yes. Nunawading has 14+ genuine options. The scene is growing and well worth exploring.

What is Nunawading known for?

Whitehorse Road strip and Nunawading station.

How far is Nunawading from Melbourne CBD?

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

The truth about Nunawading: 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