Correction (10 October 2026): an earlier version of this page listed places and details we could not stand behind. It has been rewritten from scratch: every place below was confirmed at two independent sources on 9 October 2026.
Looking for somewhere to take the kids or the dog without opening your wallet? This page covers four public parks and playgrounds: two in Kew East and two just over the line in Kew.
Every facility named here comes from a Boroondara Council page. The council uses the word free only on a couple of other park pages, so for these four we say public park with council-listed facilities and make no price claim. Facilities and works change, so check the council page before you head out.
The quick picks
| If you’re after | Head to | Where |
|---|---|---|
| Billabongs and an off-lead area | Willsmere Park | 27 Willow Grove, Kew East |
| Sportsgrounds, barbecue, playground | Stradbroke Park | 1369 Burke Road, Kew East |
| A recently upgraded local playground | Kate Campbell Reserve | 46 Kellett Grove, Kew |
| A basketball ring in Kew | Eglinton Reserve | 93 Eglinton Street, Kew |
Willsmere Park — 27 Willow Grove, Kew East VIC 3102
Willsmere Park is a council-listed park on Willow Grove, and the council says it covers around 23 hectares. It also says the park contains the last 2 remaining billabongs in the lower reaches of the Yarra River. The council’s facilities list names an off-lead dog area, parking, a playground, seating and tables, and toilets. We could not find a published entry price on the council page.
Plan it: The council page flags a pavilion renewal that it says might affect access to the car park and the playground, so read the notice before you go.
Stradbroke Park — 1369 Burke Road, Kew East VIC 3102
Stradbroke Park sits on Burke Road, and the council lists a barbecue, an off-lead dog area, parking, a playground, seating and tables, and toilets. It also lists a change room and shower facilities, 2 sportsgrounds (one synthetic and one natural turf), cricket nets with 3 lanes and a grass athletics track. The council says the park is a designated off-lead dog park except during organised sports training and matches, so check the signs on the day. It also says Stradbroke Park South is closed for the 2026/27 summer season.
Get there: The council says the park is 550 m from the number 48 tram stop on High Street.
Kate Campbell Reserve — 46 Kellett Grove, Kew VIC 3101
Kate Campbell Reserve is a small local playground on Kellett Grove in Kew, not Kew East. The council says it has recently been upgraded and lists a new play unit with a cubby house, a variety of swings including toddler, child and basket swing seats, and new picnic furniture with benches overlooking the playground. The council page also mentions a new parking lot with marked spots, including one for accessible parking.
Free first: We could not find a price on the council page, so treat it as a public playground and confirm there before you go.
Eglinton Reserve — 93 Eglinton Street, Kew VIC 3101
Eglinton Reserve is a small council reserve at 93 Eglinton Street in Kew. The council’s public recreation facilities page lists it in its basketball rings list, and that is all that page publishes about it. OpenStreetMap carries the name only, so we are not guessing at more.
Plan it: Pair a quick shoot-around here with Kate Campbell Reserve, since both are in Kew, and check the council page for any update.
Quick answers
Which parks in Kew East does the council list?
This page covers Willsmere Park on Willow Grove and Stradbroke Park on Burke Road, both listed by Boroondara Council as parks with public facilities. We found no entry price on either council page, so confirm with the council before you go.
Is there an off-lead dog park in Kew East?
The council says both Willsmere Park and Stradbroke Park are designated off-lead dog parks, except when organised sports training sessions and matches are on the ovals. Check the signs on the day.
Where is a playground near Kew East?
The council lists a playground at Willsmere Park and at Stradbroke Park, both in Kew East. Kate Campbell Reserve in Kew has a recently upgraded local playground with a new play unit, a cubby house and a variety of swings, according to the council.
How do I get to Stradbroke Park by tram?
The council says Stradbroke Park is 550 m from the number 48 tram stop on High Street. It also says Stradbroke Park South is closed for the 2026/27 summer season, so check the council page for what is open.
How we checked
We checked every place on this page against at least two independent sources on 9 October 2026: OpenStreetMap and council pages. Facilities and opening hours change, so check the official page before you go. The cover photo is from Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 2.0), and it does not show any place on this page.
Seen something out of date? Email [email protected] with the page link and what has changed, and we will check it again.
Sources
- Willsmere Park: openstreetmap.org/66974626, boroondara.vic.gov.au/willsmere-park
- Stradbroke Park: openstreetmap.org/28506882, boroondara.vic.gov.au/stradbroke-park
- Kate Campbell Reserve: openstreetmap.org/27994116, boroondara.vic.gov.au/kate-campbell-reserve-playground-kew
- Eglinton Reserve: openstreetmap.org/28223992, boroondara.vic.gov.au/public-recreation-facilities
