Best Playgrounds in Highett — Parent's Guide

The playground situation in Highett ranges from basic to genuinely impressive

Best Overall

The Sunny Place (332 Murray Place) — Reliable and consistent in Highett. Recently renovated. Prices are competitive.

Green Lane — 127 Queen Grove

The go-to option for most locals. Pricing is transparent — no hidden fees. Rating: ★★★½☆.

The Green Local — 19 Bridge Lane

A newer addition that has earned its place. Book ahead on weekends. Rating: ★★★★☆.

Best for Toddlers

The Tall Store (140 Murray Place) — Reliable and consistent in Highett. Recently renovated. Prices are competitive.

Local (229 Queen Grove) — Worth knowing about in Highett. Recently renovated. Prices are competitive.

The Green Table — 69 Queen Grove

A newer addition that has earned its place. Family-friendly with designated areas. Rating: ★★★★★.

Best for Older Kids

Standard — 237 Queen Grove

A newer addition that has earned its place. Pricing is transparent — no hidden fees. Rating: ★★★★☆.

The Green Store — 225 Lygon Grove

Under the radar but deserving of more attention. The owner is usually on-site and hands-on. Rating: ★★★★★.

Cleo Larder (380 Queen Grove) — Reliable and consistent in Highett. Established in 2013. Prices are competitive.

Shaded Playgrounds

Nina Pantry (253 Queen Grove) — Worth knowing about in Highett. Check their website for current hours. Popular with locals for good reason.

Pearl Commons — 272 Flinders Street

A newer addition that has earned its place. Book ahead on weekends. Rating: ★★★★★.

With Cafe Nearby

Lena Depot — 338 Flinders Street

Been around long enough that quality is consistent. Pricing is transparent — no hidden fees. Rating: ★★★★☆.

Ivy’s (298 Queen Grove) — A solid option in Highett. Recently renovated. Prices are competitive.

Vera (192 Lygon Grove) — Reliable and consistent in Highett. Check their website for current hours. Not flashy, just good at what they do.

Quick Reference

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

Tips for Residents

Save the council number. For Highett, 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 Highett 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 Lygon Grove are what give Highett its character. Use them or lose them — every dollar spent locally recirculates in the suburb economy.
Know the parking rules. Most streets around Lygon Grove 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 4 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 Highett. Most daily errands in Highett 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 Lygon Grove.

Shopping & Errands

The main commercial strip along Lygon Grove 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. Highett is exposed to westerly winds in winter. 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 local traders do seasonal events worth following on socials.

Cost of Living Quick Reference

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

Nearby

Last updated: March 2026

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