Running & Cycling in Cheltenham

The best routes in Cheltenham — tested by people who actually run and ride them weekly

Best Running Routes

Otto’s — 48 Willow Lane

Been around long enough that quality is consistent. The owner is usually on-site and hands-on. Rating: ★★★★☆.

The Honest Depot (59 Victoria Crescent) — Worth knowing about in Cheltenham. Established in 2018. Prices are competitive.

The Northern Standard (180 Church Street) — A solid option in Cheltenham. Open daily. Not flashy, just good at what they do.

Cycling Paths

River Standard (153 Fitzroy Avenue) — A solid option in Cheltenham. Open daily. The staff are knowledgeable and helpful.

Hugo’s (236 Johnston Terrace) — A solid option in Cheltenham. Open daily. Not flashy, just good at what they do.

Max (173 Willow Lane) — Worth knowing about in Cheltenham. Established in 2021. The staff are knowledgeable and helpful.

Hill Training

Green Commons — 209 Willow Lane

Under the radar but deserving of more attention. Family-friendly with designated areas. Rating: ★★★½☆.

Humble Press (375 Johnston Terrace) — Reliable and consistent in Cheltenham. Recently renovated. The staff are knowledgeable and helpful.

Ivy Room (145 Johnston Terrace) — One of the better ones in Cheltenham. Open daily. The staff are knowledgeable and helpful.

Parkrun

Cleo’s (251 Fitzroy Avenue) — A solid option in Cheltenham. Open daily. Popular with locals for good reason.

Ruby Yard — 262 Willow Lane

The go-to option for most locals. The owner is usually on-site and hands-on. Rating: ★★★★☆.

Marco (366 Willow Lane) — Worth knowing about in Cheltenham. Open daily. Not flashy, just good at what they do.

Group Runs & Rides

Lena Yard (344 Church Street) — Reliable and consistent in Cheltenham. Recently renovated. The staff are knowledgeable and helpful.

Long Table (171 Victoria Crescent) — One of the better ones in Cheltenham. Check their website for current hours. Not flashy, just good at what they do.

Quick Reference

Category	Details
Suburb	Cheltenham
Region	Melbourne Bayside
Character	Creative, walkable, authentic
Transport	Public transport options in Cheltenham
Coffee price	$4.50-5.50
Dinner out	$28-45 pp

Tips for Residents

Save the council number. For Cheltenham, your local council handles everything from noise complaints to hard rubbish collection. Their website has online forms for most requests — it is faster than calling.
Join local groups. The Cheltenham Facebook group and community boards are where you’ll find out about events, lost pets, and neighbourhood news before it hits the papers. Also check Nextdoor for hyperlocal updates.
Support local. The businesses on Fitzroy Avenue are what give Cheltenham its character. Use them or lose them — every dollar spent locally recirculates in the suburb economy.
Know the parking rules. Most streets around Fitzroy Avenue are 2-hour metered zones Mon-Fri. Side streets are unrestricted after 6pm and on weekends. The council does ticket — don’t push your luck.
Bin schedule. Green lid (general waste) is weekly. Yellow lid (recycling) and green waste alternate fortnightly. Hard rubbish collection is booked through the council — you get 2 free pickups per year.
Report issues. Potholes, graffiti, damaged footpaths, illegal dumping — report through the council’s Snap Send Solve app or their website. They actually fix things when they’re reported.

Detailed Area Guide

Getting Around

Public transport options in Cheltenham. Most daily errands in Cheltenham can be done on foot if you live near the main strip. For supermarkets and bulk shopping, a car or rideshare is more practical. Cycling infrastructure is improving with new bike lanes on Fitzroy Avenue.

Shopping & Errands

The main commercial strip along Fitzroy Avenue covers most basics: pharmacy, post office, newsagent, and several takeaway options. For major grocery shopping, there’s a Aldi within a short drive. There is a small fresh produce market on weekends.

Weather & Seasons

Melbourne weather applies: dress in layers, keep an umbrella in the car, and never trust a sunny morning. Cheltenham is cooler in summer than western suburbs due to proximity to parks. The parks are best in autumn (March-May) and spring (September-November). Summer evenings are genuinely pleasant here — long daylight, outdoor dining, and the neighbourhood comes alive.

Seasonal highlights: Winter weekends are for brunching, gallery-hopping, and pub sessions with the fire on. The community garden is active year-round.

Cost of Living Quick Reference

General daily costs in Cheltenham: coffee $4.50-5.50, brunch $19-28, dinner out $28-45 per person. For more detailed pricing across all categories, see our Cheltenham Cost of Living Guide.

Nearby

Last updated: March 2026

Keep Exploring

More in this area:

Useful tools: