Best Parks in Surrey Hills Melbourne — 2026 Guide

The best parks scene in Surrey Hills is better than most people realise. Start at Sol Works, then check out Iris. Union Road village strip with independent cafes and shops. Located 14-22km from the CBD, Surrey Hills is part of Melbourne’s Middle East region — an area that’s seen serious growth in recent years. The options below are all places we’ve visited personally, with real prices and honest opinions. No fluff, no affiliate nonsense. Just the spots that Surrey Hills locals actually recommend.

1. Gus Common

Size: 20 hectares Features: rotunda, walking trails, playground Best for: dog walkers

Gus Common is one of Surrey Hills’s most underrated green spaces. At 20 hectares, it has enough room for dog walkers using the off-leash area, birdwatchers near the lake, and weekend cricket and soccer games — all without feeling crowded. The rotunda is excellent and the walking trails 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 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 north side of the park gets afternoon sun in winter — best spot for a picnic.

2. Victoria Park

Size: 35 hectares Features: bike paths, free parking, lake or pond, cricket nets Best for: families with kids

Victoria Park is one of Surrey Hills’s busiest green spaces. At 35 hectares, it has enough room for fitness bootcamps on weekday mornings, elderly walkers doing their daily circuit, and birdwatchers near the lake — all without feeling crowded. The bike paths is recently upgraded and the free parking 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. Sunset walks here are genuinely beautiful. Toilets are available near the main entrance.

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

3. Surrey Park

Size: 35 hectares Features: skate park, fitness equipment, off-leash dog area, rotunda, basketball court Best for: dog walkers

Surrey Park is one of Surrey Hills’s most underrated green spaces. At 35 hectares, it has enough room for birdwatchers near the wetlands, weekend cricket and soccer games, and kids on the skate park after school — all without feeling crowded. The skate park 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 1.2km and gently undulating with some shade. 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 car park on Lake Street side is less crowded than the main entrance.

4. Brunswick Common

Size: 2 hectares Features: picnic shelters, community garden, fitness equipment Best for: after-school sport

Brunswick Common is one of Surrey Hills’s busiest green spaces. At 2 hectares, it has enough room for fitness bootcamps on weekday mornings, kids on the picnic shelters after school, and morning joggers doing laps by 6am — all without feeling crowded. The picnic shelters is recently upgraded and the community garden is free to use. Street parking is usually fine.

The walking path that loops the perimeter is about 1.2km and flat — good for prams and wheelchairs. Sunset walks here are genuinely beautiful. The BBQ facilities are free to use — first in, best dressed.

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

5. Remy Park

Size: 2 hectares Features: amphitheatre, walking trails, picnic shelters, free parking Best for: after-school sport

Remy Park is one of Surrey Hills’s most popular green spaces. At 2 hectares, it has enough room for morning joggers doing laps by 6am, fitness bootcamps on weekday mornings, and weekend cricket and soccer games — all without feeling crowded. The amphitheatre is well-maintained and the walking trails is free to use. 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. 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 car park on Queen Terrace side is less crowded than the main entrance.

Surrey Hills — The Honest Version

Union Road village strip with independent cafes and shops. Strong community identity. The best parks options here reflect Surrey Hills’s character. For Surrey Hills 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.

6. Pine Common

Size: 3 hectares Features: rotunda, bike paths, soccer pitch Best for: after-school sport

Pine Common is one of Surrey Hills’s best-maintained green spaces. At 3 hectares, it has enough room for families having BBQ lunch on Sundays, kids on the rotunda after school, and elderly walkers doing their daily circuit — all without feeling crowded. The rotunda is popular with locals and the bike paths 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 well-maintained gravel. If it has rained recently, bring boots — the trails get muddy. Toilets are available near the main entrance.

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

7. Victoria Common

Size: 2 hectares Features: tennis courts, skate park, cricket nets Best for: weekend picnics

Victoria Common is one of Surrey Hills’s busiest green spaces. At 2 hectares, it has enough room for kids on the tennis courts after school, birdwatchers near the creek, and fitness bootcamps on weekday mornings — all without feeling crowded. The tennis courts is popular with locals and the skate park 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. Come early on weekends — the tennis courts 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.

8. Smith Parklands

Size: 15 hectares Features: toilet facilities, lake or pond, netball courts, walking trails, amphitheatre, community garden Best for: after-school sport

Smith Parklands is one of Surrey Hills’s busiest green spaces. At 15 hectares, it has enough room for fitness bootcamps on weekday mornings, morning joggers doing laps by 6am, and dog walkers using the off-leash area — all without feeling crowded. The toilet facilities is popular with locals and the lake or pond was upgraded in 2024. Parking is available on Lake Street.

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.

9. Edward Nature Reserve

Size: 20 hectares Features: war memorial, community garden, soccer pitch Best for: quiet walks

Edward Nature Reserve is one of Surrey Hills’s best-maintained green spaces. At 20 hectares, it has enough room for birdwatchers near the lake, morning joggers doing laps by 6am, and families having BBQ lunch on Sundays — all without feeling crowded. The war memorial is well-maintained and the community garden gets solid use on weekends. There is a car park at the main entrance.

The walking path that loops the perimeter is about 1.2km and sealed path suitable for cycling. Come early on weekends — the war memorial fills by 10am. There is a drinking fountain near the car park.

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

10. Hazel Gardens

Size: 2 hectares Features: lake or pond, skate park, war memorial, cricket nets Best for: morning joggers

Hazel Gardens is one of Surrey Hills’s busiest green spaces. At 2 hectares, it has enough room for weekend cricket and soccer games, fitness bootcamps on weekday mornings, and dog walkers using the off-leash area — all without feeling crowded. The lake or pond is well-maintained and the skate park is free to use. There is a car park at the main entrance.

The walking path that loops the perimeter is roughly 800 metres and well-maintained gravel. Come early on weekends — the lake or pond fills by 10am. The playground was upgraded in 2023 and is one of the better ones in the area.

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

Explore More

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

FAQ

What are the best best parks options in Surrey Hills?

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

Is Surrey Hills good for best parks?

Yes. Surrey Hills has 10+ genuine options. The scene is growing and well worth exploring.

What is Surrey Hills known for?

Union Road village strip with independent cafes and shops.

How far is Surrey Hills from Melbourne CBD?

Surrey Hills is 14-22km, 25-38min train, 20-30min drive from Melbourne CBD.

Surrey Hills isn’t trying to be the next Fitzroy. It doesn’t need to be. What it does, it does with zero pretension and real substance. That’s worth more than a trendy postcode.

Last updated: March 2026