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.
Four places made this page, and each one is on the record somewhere you can check. One is in Kew East and three are in Kew, so the frame is in and around the suburb.
The two green spaces come from Boroondara Council pages. The toy library and the bakery come from their own sites and OpenStreetMap. Nothing here rests on rumour, and no price is printed because we could not read one.
The quick picks
| If you’re after | Head to | Where |
|---|---|---|
| Billabongs and a bush corridor | Willsmere Park | 27 Willow Grove, Kew East |
| An upgraded local playground | Kate Campbell Reserve | 46 Kellett Grove, Kew |
| Stay and play sessions | Kew Toy Library | 152 Pakington Street, Kew |
| A gluten free bakery stop | Gluten Free 4 U | 1345 Burke Road, Kew |
Willsmere Park — 27 Willow Grove, Kew East VIC 3102
The council page for Willsmere Park says it holds the last two remaining billabongs in the lower reaches of the Yarra River. It calls the park a critical native flora and fauna corridor for the Middle Yarra River, and says it covers around 23 hectares. Dogs are allowed off lead, except when organised sports training or matches are on the ovals. The council also warns that pavilion works might affect access to the car park and the playground.
On the record: the council lists an off-lead dog area, parking, a playground, seating and tables, and toilets.
Kate Campbell Reserve — 46 Kellett Grove, Kew VIC 3101
This one is in Kew, not Kew East, at 46 Kellett Grove. The council classes it as a local playground and says it has recently received an upgrade. Its page lists a new play unit with a cubby house, a variety of swings including toddler, child and basket swing seats, plus new picnic benches overlooking the playground. Small, then, and documented.
The tell: the council page is the only description we have, so check it before you go.
Kew Toy Library — 152 Pakington Street, Kew VIC 3101
Kew Toy Library is on Pakington Street in Kew, outside Kew East. Its site invites families to Stay & Play sessions in 2026. The contact page lists Tuesday 9.30am to 11.30am, Wednesday 2.30pm to 4.30pm and 7.00pm to 9.00pm, Friday 10.30am to 12.30pm and Saturday 9.30am to 2.00pm. We did not read a joining page, so ask about membership before turning up.
Find it: Pakington Street, Kew, with the session times above as your guide.
Gluten Free 4 U — 1345 Burke Road, Kew VIC 3101
Gluten Free 4 U is at 1345 Burke Road in Kew, and its own site matches the OpenStreetMap address. The map tag lists Tuesday to Friday 08:30 to 16:30 and Saturday 08:30 to 15:00, with public holidays off. That is a map tag only and may be out of date. We could not find a published menu.
The tell: a dedicated gluten free name on a Burke Road address, confirmed by two sources.
Quick answers
What are the lesser-known places to visit in Kew East?
Willsmere Park is the Kew East pick, with billabongs the council describes as the last remaining in the lower Yarra. Nearby in Kew are Kate Campbell Reserve playground, Kew Toy Library and the bakery Gluten Free 4 U.
Is Willsmere Park dog friendly?
The council calls Willsmere Park a designated off-lead dog park, except when organised sports training sessions and matches are on the ovals. Check the council page for works that might affect the car park and playground.
When is Kew Toy Library open?
Its contact page lists Tuesday 9.30am to 11.30am, Wednesday 2.30pm to 4.30pm and 7.00pm to 9.00pm, Friday 10.30am to 12.30pm and Saturday 9.30am to 2.00pm. Those are member session times, so confirm before you go.
Is Kate Campbell Reserve in Kew East?
No. The council places Kate Campbell Reserve playground at 46 Kellett Grove in Kew, and classes it as a local playground. It is in neighbouring Kew, just outside Kew East.
How we checked
We checked every place on this page against at least two independent sources on 9 October 2026: OpenStreetMap, council pages and the places’ own websites. We copied no menu prices from these places’ own pages, so this page prints none. Menus, prices and opening hours change, so check with the venue 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
- Kate Campbell Reserve: openstreetmap.org/27994116, boroondara.vic.gov.au/kate-campbell-reserve-playground-kew
- Kew Toy Library: openstreetmap.org/4959754692, kewtoylibrary.org.au/contact, kewtoylibrary.org.au
- Gluten Free 4 U: openstreetmap.org/5282956575, glutenfree4u.com.au/about-us
