Best Parks in Toorak Melbourne — 2026 Guide

The best parks scene in Toorak is genuinely worth exploring. Start at Red Corner, then check out Canvas. Melbourne’s wealthiest suburb. Located 5km from the CBD, Toorak is part of Melbourne’s Inner South 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 Toorak locals actually recommend.

1. Chapel Bush Reserve

Size: 15 hectares Features: rotunda, BBQ facilities, bike paths Best for: after-school sport

Chapel Bush Reserve is one of Toorak’s most popular green spaces. At 15 hectares, it has enough room for elderly walkers doing their daily circuit, fitness bootcamps on weekday mornings, and dog walkers using the off-leash area — all without feeling crowded. The rotunda is well-maintained and the BBQ facilities is the best in the area. 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. The BBQ facilities are free to use — first in, best dressed.

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

2. Rowan Nature Reserve

Size: 15 hectares Features: walking trails, BBQ facilities, rotunda Best for: morning joggers

Rowan Nature Reserve is one of Toorak’s most spacious green spaces. At 15 hectares, it has enough room for elderly walkers doing their daily circuit, kids on the walking trails after school, and dog walkers using the off-leash area — all without feeling crowded. The walking trails is excellent and the BBQ facilities is the best in the area. Street parking is usually fine.

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

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

3. Toorak Common

Size: 8 hectares Features: walking trails, netball courts, rotunda, lake or pond Best for: quiet walks

Toorak Common is one of Toorak’s most underrated green spaces. At 8 hectares, it has enough room for families having BBQ lunch on Sundays, elderly walkers doing their daily circuit, and birdwatchers near the native garden — all without feeling crowded. The walking trails is excellent and the netball courts is the best in the area. Street parking is usually fine.

The walking path that loops the perimeter is about 1.5km 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 park hosts a community event on the first Saturday of each month.

4. Main Gardens

Size: 3 hectares Features: fitness equipment, free parking, netball courts, soccer pitch, BBQ facilities Best for: dog walkers

Main Gardens is one of Toorak’s most popular green spaces. At 3 hectares, it has enough room for fitness bootcamps on weekday mornings, dog walkers using the off-leash area, and kids on the fitness equipment after school — all without feeling crowded. The fitness equipment is excellent and the free parking 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 flat — good for prams and wheelchairs. Come early on weekends — the fitness equipment fills by 10am. The playground was upgraded in 2023 and is one of the better ones in the area.

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

5. Toorak Oval

Size: 5 hectares Features: amphitheatre, tennis courts, basketball court, bike paths Best for: families with kids

Toorak Oval is one of Toorak’s busiest green spaces. At 5 hectares, it has enough room for fitness bootcamps on weekday mornings, dog walkers using the off-leash area, and families having BBQ lunch on Sundays — all without feeling crowded. The amphitheatre is popular with locals and the tennis courts is the best in the area. Parking is available on Elm Parade.

The walking path that loops the perimeter is just over 2km and flat — good for prams and wheelchairs. Come early on weekends — the amphitheatre fills by 10am. Toilets are available near the main entrance.

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

6. Willow Recreation Reserve

Size: 15 hectares Features: tennis courts, soccer pitch, BBQ facilities, toilet facilities, picnic shelters Best for: morning joggers

Willow Recreation Reserve is one of Toorak’s most popular green spaces. At 15 hectares, it has enough room for kids on the tennis courts after school, elderly walkers doing their daily circuit, and families having BBQ lunch on Sundays — all without feeling crowded. The tennis courts is well-maintained and the soccer pitch is the best in the area. 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. 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.

7. Stella Parklands

Size: 5 hectares Features: basketball court, skate park, rotunda Best for: after-school sport

Stella Parklands is one of Toorak’s most underrated green spaces. At 5 hectares, it has enough room for kids on the basketball court after school, weekend cricket and soccer games, and fitness bootcamps on weekday mornings — all without feeling crowded. The basketball court is excellent 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 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: There is a hidden bench near the back corner with the best view in Toorak.

What Nobody Tells You About Toorak

Melbourne’s wealthiest suburb. Toorak Road and Toorak Village have luxury retail. Median house price over $4 million. The best parks options here reflect Toorak’s character. For Toorak 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. Toorak Parklands

Size: 20 hectares Features: picnic shelters, community garden, amphitheatre, war memorial, BBQ facilities, tennis courts Best for: families with kids

Toorak Parklands is one of Toorak’s best-maintained green spaces. At 20 hectares, it has enough room for birdwatchers near the wetlands, fitness bootcamps on weekday mornings, and elderly walkers doing their daily circuit — all without feeling crowded. The picnic shelters is popular with locals and the community garden is free to use. Parking is available on Margaret Street.

The walking path that loops the perimeter is about 1.2km and well-maintained gravel. Come early on weekends — the picnic shelters fills by 10am. 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 Toorak.

9. Church Gardens

Size: 8 hectares Features: lake or pond, basketball court, skate park, bike paths, amphitheatre, off-leash dog area Best for: quiet walks

Church Gardens is one of Toorak’s busiest green spaces. At 8 hectares, it has enough room for birdwatchers near the creek, fitness bootcamps on weekday mornings, and kids on the lake or pond after school — all without feeling crowded. The lake or pond is excellent and the basketball court is the best in the area. Street parking is usually fine.

The walking path that loops the perimeter is about 1.2km and flat — good for prams and wheelchairs. If it has rained recently, bring boots — the trails get muddy. There is a drinking fountain near the car park.

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

10. Swan Common

Size: 20 hectares Features: basketball court, fitness equipment, off-leash dog area, free parking, cricket nets Best for: quiet walks

Swan Common is one of Toorak’s best-maintained green spaces. At 20 hectares, it has enough room for morning joggers doing laps by 6am, kids on the basketball court after school, and dog walkers using the off-leash area — all without feeling crowded. The basketball court is popular with locals and the fitness equipment 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 sealed path suitable for cycling. 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 car park on Margaret Street side is less crowded than the main entrance.

11. South Recreation Reserve

Size: 5 hectares Features: picnic shelters, skate park, walking trails, netball courts, amphitheatre, cricket nets Best for: after-school sport

South Recreation Reserve is one of Toorak’s best-maintained green spaces. At 5 hectares, it has enough room for families having BBQ lunch on Sundays, birdwatchers near the wetlands, and morning joggers doing laps by 6am — all without feeling crowded. The picnic shelters is excellent and the skate park gets solid use on weekends. There is a car park at the main entrance.

The walking path that loops the perimeter is about 1.5km and well-maintained gravel. If it has rained recently, bring boots — the trails get muddy. Toilets are available near the main entrance.

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

12. Ada Reserve

Size: 12 hectares Features: skate park, cricket nets, netball courts, playground, lake or pond, walking trails Best for: morning joggers

Ada Reserve is one of Toorak’s most underrated green spaces. At 12 hectares, it has enough room for weekend cricket and soccer games, dog walkers using the off-leash area, and morning joggers doing laps by 6am — all without feeling crowded. The skate park is recently upgraded and the cricket nets was upgraded in 2024. Parking is available on Margaret Street.

The walking path that loops the perimeter is about 1.5km 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 car park on Swan Parade side is less crowded than the main entrance.

13. Hazel Bush Reserve

Size: 20 hectares Features: amphitheatre, war memorial, bike paths, netball courts, playground, picnic shelters Best for: after-school sport

Hazel Bush Reserve is one of Toorak’s most popular green spaces. At 20 hectares, it has enough room for weekend cricket and soccer games, families having BBQ lunch on Sundays, and elderly walkers doing their daily circuit — all without feeling crowded. The amphitheatre is well-maintained and the war memorial gets solid use on weekends. Parking is available on East Road.

The walking path that loops the perimeter is about 1.5km 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: The north side of the park gets afternoon sun in winter — best spot for a picnic.

14. Toorak Green

Size: 8 hectares Features: community garden, fitness equipment, tennis courts, soccer pitch, rotunda Best for: quiet walks

Toorak Green is one of Toorak’s busiest green spaces. At 8 hectares, it has enough room for elderly walkers doing their daily circuit, dog walkers using the off-leash area, and families having BBQ lunch on Sundays — all without feeling crowded. The community garden is recently upgraded and the fitness equipment was upgraded in 2024. Parking is available on Johnston Crescent.

The walking path that loops the perimeter is about 1.2km and well-maintained gravel. Come early on weekends — the community garden fills by 10am. The BBQ facilities are free to use — first in, best dressed.

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

Explore More

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

FAQ

What are the best best parks options in Toorak?

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

Is Toorak good for best parks?

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

What is Toorak known for?

Melbourne’s wealthiest suburb.

How far is Toorak from Melbourne CBD?

Toorak is 5km, 10min tram, 10min drive from Melbourne CBD.

Toorak 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