17 Best Playgrounds in Melbourne Eastern Suburbs

Looking for the best parks near you in Melbourne’s east?

Look no further, because here’s a list of the 17 best kids parks in Melbourne eastern suburbs.

Best playgrounds in Melbourne East – Boroondara

The City of Boroondara is home to the renowned leafy Melbourne Eastern suburbs so you can expect parks with lots of green space to discover fun! Make sure you check out these beauties. 

1. Hays Paddock, Kew East

Hays Paddock Playground is currently being renewed. Construction is expected to complete by mid-2024 (weather permitting).

Hays Paddock playground is a gated all-abilities play space with two climbing forts, a sandpit and a bunch of swings. There are natural themes incorporated into the playground, and a viewing area of the adjacent wetlands.

There are toilets, barbecue and picnic facilities within the park, and both natural and artificial shade.

Hays Paddock, Longstaff Street, Kew East

Hays Paddock Kew Sandpit

2. Markham Reserve, Ashburton

The fully fenced playground at Markham Reserve features climbing nets, a large seesaw, a flying fox, monkey bars, a rotating flower, large wooden kookaburras, a sandpit and great swings. 

As well as the playground at Markham Reserve you’ll find sports grounds, a community garden and a skate park for BMX, scooter and skateboard riders.

Markham Reserve, Victory Boulevard, Ashburton 

markham reserve

Best playgrounds in Melbourne’s East – Manningham

Manningham Council has over 100 parks with playgrounds that you can discover near you! Here are some of our favourites.

3. Ruffey Lake Park, Doncaster East

If you’re looking for the best Doncaster parks then look no further than Ruffey Lake Park. There are three playgrounds at the expansive park, the best of which is at the eastern side (look for the large snake sculptures).  This playground is best for 3+ as there is lots of climbing and some high structures.

The other playgrounds offer options for younger children, so overall, Ruffey Lake Park is a great destination for all ages.

Ruffey Lake Park, Victoria Street, Doncaster East

Ruffey Lake Park, 99 Victoria St, Doncaster

4. Federation Playspace, Warrandyte River Reserve

The Federation playspace is inspired by Warrandyte’s gold rush past! There are delightful gold train and trailer, a mineshaft slide and tunnels.

The fenced playground is set on the picturesque banks of the Yarra River and just a stone’s throw from the Warrandyte Bakery.

The shade sail and picnic shelter make this playground an option for all year round picnics and outdoor play.

Federation Playspace, Warrandyte River Reserve, Yarra St, Warrandyte

5.  Wombat Bend, Templestowe

Wombat Bend is a large fenced area within a stunning native bushland setting. It contains a popular playground for toddlers and preschoolers within Finns Reserve – check out the water play equipment, a flying fox and a sand pit.

Wombat Bend, Corner Union Street, Templestowe Lower


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Best playgrounds in Melbourne’s East – Whitehorse

Whitehorse City Council has more than 175 playgrounds! Here are the most popular playgrounds in the area. 

6. Halliday Park, Mitcham

This park is on our list of the best playgrounds around Melbourne because it caters for all ages with a play structure, flying foxes, basket swing and rope climbing structure.  There is a small water play area, and an expansive grass area for picnic rugs and ball games.

There are toilets and picnic / barbecue facilities at Halliday Park, and the playground area has natural shade from large trees.

Halliday Park, Mitcham Road, Mitcham

Halliday Park Mitcham

7. Box Hill Gardens, Box Hill

This elegant and popular park in Box Hill is enhanced by an awesome play space fringed by native flora, basketball courts, table tennis tables, skate bowl, miniature lake and even a perimeter running track! 

Box Hill Gardens, Irving Avenue, Box Hill

Box Hill Gardens Playground Rope Climb

Best playgrounds in Melbourne’s East – Maroondah

Maroondah City Council has great parks for kids in Melbourne’s outer eastern suburbs.

8. Ringwood Lake Park, Ringwood

Get ready to some sliding fun with all the slides you could ever wish for at Ringwood Lake! This popular playground also features water play, animal sculptures, a separate toddler area as well as facilities such as public toilets, barbecues and picnic tables. 

ringwood lake park

9. Wyreena Community Arts Centre, Croydon

The Playspace at the Wyreena Community Arts Centre has traditional play equipment as well as nature play and creative spaces. Included are 12 interactive musical objects. There is an adjacent cafe with toilet access.

Wyreena Community Arts Centre, Hull Road, Croydon

Best playgrounds in Melbourne’s East – Knox

There are over 200 playgrounds in Knox! You’ll find playgrounds that cater for children of all ages and abilities in Melbourne’s east. 

10. Bayswater Train Park, Bayswater

The upgrades to this park make it one of the best playgrounds in Melbourne east, and worth a trip to visit. The red train engine is the highlight of the park, and there is even a play ticket booth set up.

There is also an extensive wooden fort structure, and a rope climbing structure with a slide down from the top.

Bayswater Park, Mountain Highway, Bayswater

Bayswater Train Park

11. Tim Neville Arboretum, Ferntree Gully

This is hands-down one of the best playgrounds in Melbourne for toddlers, it is fully fenced with a sturdy gate. The space has a fairytale / medieval theme with features like a Loch Ness Monster, dragon and fortress, all inspiring imaginative play.

The Tim Neville Arboretum Playground has swings, flying foxes, a climbing frame and a number of slides. There are toilets and barbecue / picnic facilities outside the fence.

Tim Neville Arboretum Playground, Dorset Road, Ferntree Gully

tim neville arboretum playground

12. Wally Tew Playground, Ferntree Gully

This nature-inspired play space features natural elements, bug sculptures with climbing ladders, slides and swings and sandpit with rocks and logs. 

For little kids, there’s a long ramp walkway with cubbies, steering wheels, mirrors and musical instruments, while older kids will enjoy the huge bird’s nest swing and flying fox with disk seat.

Wally Tew Playground, 6 Lyndale Court,  Ferntree Gully

Best playgrounds in Yarra Valley & Dandenong Ranges

Yarra Ranges Council covers the Yarra Valley and Dandenong Ranges areas, so you can expect that their play spaces have beautiful natural settings. Here are some of our favourite playgrounds in the outer east of Melbourne. 

13. Lillydale Lake, Lilydale

Lillydale Lake (NOT Lilydale Lake, confusingly) is a nature-based play space with sand and water play. There is also more traditional play equipment including a climbing fort, flying foxes, swings and monkey bars.

Picnic and barbecue facilities are near the playground, and toilets a short walk away.

Lillydale Lake playground, Swansea Road, Lilydale

Lillydale Lake Playspace Lilydale

14. Montrose Community Playground, Montrose

This community built playground is set in the recreation reserve with sports grounds / facilities and bushland. There are picnic / barbeque and toilet facilities.

Imaginative play is welcomed in the form of a small village with recognisable Montrose landmarks. The Montrose Playground also has a ramp with multiple points to climb up and down, climbing equipment, a roundabout swing and a nest swing.

Montrose Playground, Mount Dandenong Tourist Road, Montrose

montrose playground

15. McKenzie Reserve, Yarra Glen

This popular Yarra Glen park is huge! It was built after the 2009 bushfires, with the assistance of donations. It has sand and water play, climbing equipment for younger and older kids.

The combination of physical and imaginative play makes this one of the best children’s playgrounds near Melbourne.

McKenzie Reserve Playground, Bell Street, Yarra Glen

McKenzie Reserve Yarra Glen

16. Seville Playground, Seville

Seville Recreation Reserve is a large space with not one, but two playgrounds – the Seville Playground and Seville Water Play Park. There are also 2 sports ovals for cricket and football, netball courts, tennis courts, walking trails, and public toilet. 

Seville Playground, 20-28 Monbulk-Seville Road, Seville

Seville Water Park, 20 Monbulk-Seville Rd, Seville

17. Olinda Playspace, Olinda

Play amongst the forest in the expansive Olinda Playspace! You’ll find lots of equipment for all ages, water play as well as picnic and barbecue facilities and public toilets. 

Olinda Playspace, Olinda

Olinda Playspace Carousel

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About Joyce Watts

Joyce Watts is a former intellectual property, IT and media lawyer turned serial entrepreneur.

As well as being the founder of TOT: HOT OR NOT she helps businesses with their SEO, email marketing & social media as BrightSmart.com.au; she owns an online bike store CycleStyle.com.au and develops and produces creative experiences for families via WheelieGoodFun.com. She used to publish another popular lifestyle and food blog called MEL: HOT OR NOT The decisive guide to Melbourne.

She lives in inner-city Melbourne with her husband, two children and seven bikes.

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