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 between 9 October 2026 and 10 October 2026.
This page answers a practical question: where can you take children, or go for a walk, in the parkland around Lower Plenty? It lists six places. Westerfolds Park and Templestowe Reserve are in Templestowe, Alistair Knox Park is in Eltham, and Gertrude, Eric and Mayfair Reserves are in Templestowe Lower. Most sit outside Lower Plenty itself, so this is an in and around list.
Each place was confirmed at two sources: OpenStreetMap and a Parks Victoria or council page. Distances and facilities come only from those official pages, and where a page gives none, we say so. Check the official page for closures before you head out.
The quick picks
| If you’re after | Head to | Where |
|---|---|---|
| Loop walk and adventure playground | Westerfolds Park | Fitzsimons Lane, Templestowe |
| Playground with sculptures nearby | Alistair Knox Park | 829 Main Road, Eltham |
| Toddler playground by the shops | Gertrude Reserve | 2-4 Gertrude Street, Templestowe Lower |
| Small play unit with slides | Eric Reserve | 34-36 Eric Avenue, Templestowe Lower |
| Castle-themed playground | Mayfair Reserve | 40 Mayfair Avenue, Templestowe Lower |
| Playground plus tennis courts | Templestowe Reserve | Hawtin Street, Templestowe |
Westerfolds Park — Fitzsimons Lane, Templestowe VIC 3106
Parks Victoria describes Westerfolds Park as over 120 hectares of parkland for picnicking, cycling, walking and canoeing, with vehicle entry from Fitzsimons Lane or Porter Street. Parks Victoria lists the Westerfolds Loop Track at 4.8km, a 1.5 hours circuit, as a gentle walk past the old manor, woodlands and native shrublands. The Westerfolds Ridge Picnic Area has an adventure playground, electric barbecues, a picnic shelter, a picnic table and a toilet, according to Parks Victoria. Dogs are permitted but must be kept on a leash at all times, the park page says.
Distance / grade / surface: Parks Victoria gives 4.8km, gentle, a 1.5 hours circuit and names no surface in the text we read, and says gates are open 6am to 6pm, extending to 9pm during daylight savings, with a 24-hour car park off Fitzsimons Lane.
Alistair Knox Park — 829 Main Road, Eltham VIC 3095
Nillumbik Shire Council says Alistair Knox Park is open 24 hours a day and mentions no entry fee. The council describes climbing equipment of various sizes, with slides, rings, swings, bridges and rockers, and lists a BMX track, BBQ, picnic tables, shade areas and a car park. Dogs must be on a leash except where signed, and not within five metres of a playground or BBQ, the council says. It also notes sculptures in the park and a section of the Heidelberg School Artist’s Trail.
Water and toilets: the council’s feature list for Alistair Knox Park includes toilets, picnic tables and shade areas, and we could not find drinking water mentioned.
Gertrude Reserve — 2-4 Gertrude Street, Templestowe Lower VIC 3107
Manningham council says young children can test their climbing and balancing on the crocodile, stepping stones, swings and slide at the Gertrude Reserve playground, opposite the Gertrude Street shops. The council prints Suitable age group: 1 to 6 years. It also tags the reserve Dogs on lead. We could not find opening hours or toilets listed on the page.
Start at: the council places Gertrude Reserve at 2-4 Gertrude Street, opposite the Gertrude Street shops, so use the shops as your landmark.
Eric Reserve — 34-36 Eric Avenue, Templestowe Lower VIC 3107
Manningham council describes a play unit at Eric Reserve with slides, monkey bars and a covered platform, along with double swings, a picnic table, a drinking fountain and seating. The council tags the reserve Dogs on lead. The page we read gives no age group and no opening hours.
Weather call: the council lists a covered platform and seating at Eric Reserve, and the Bureau of Meteorology forecast is what should decide whether you go.
Mayfair Reserve — 40 Mayfair Avenue, Templestowe Lower VIC 3107
Manningham council calls the themed castle playground at Mayfair Reserve perfect for younger children, who can pour, measure, slide, push and balance on the soft fall mulch around the castle. The council prints Suitable age group: 1 to 5 years. It tags the reserve Dogs on lead. We could not find hours or toilets listed.
Distance / grade / surface: this is a playground, not a trail, so the council gives no distance; the surface it names is soft fall mulch around the castle, at 40 Mayfair Avenue.
Templestowe Reserve — Hawtin Street, Templestowe VIC 3106
Manningham council says the Templestowe Reserve playground, upgraded in 2012, includes a swing set, hammock swing, spinner, rocker and a combination unit with two slides. The council lists two sportsgrounds, five tennis courts, a basketball spot and a barbecue under a shade sail. It also says the reserve is popular for dog walking, and tags it Off Lead Areas without saying where.
Start at: the council lists off street parking at Templestowe Reserve on Hawtin Street, and you should check the signs for where an off lead area applies.
Quick answers
Which playgrounds near Lower Plenty suit toddlers?
Manningham council prints Suitable age group: 1 to 6 years for Gertrude Reserve in Templestowe Lower. The council prints Suitable age group: 1 to 5 years for Mayfair Reserve, which has a themed castle playground. Eric Reserve has a play unit with slides and double swings, but the page we read gives no age group.
Can you take a dog to the parks around Lower Plenty?
Parks Victoria says dogs are permitted at Westerfolds Park but must be kept on a leash at all times. Nillumbik Shire Council says dogs at Alistair Knox Park must be on a leash except where signed. Manningham council tags Gertrude, Eric and Mayfair Reserves Dogs on lead, and tags Templestowe Reserve Off Lead Areas without saying where, so look for signs on the day.
Is there a walking loop near Lower Plenty?
Parks Victoria lists the Westerfolds Loop Track in Westerfolds Park, Templestowe, at 4.8km and a 1.5 hours circuit. It calls it a gentle walk through the parklands, past the old manor, woodlands and native shrublands. Check the Bureau of Meteorology forecast before you set out.
Which parks near Lower Plenty have barbecues?
Parks Victoria lists electric barbecues in the Westerfolds Ridge Picnic Area at Westerfolds Park. Nillumbik Shire Council lists a BBQ among the features at Alistair Knox Park. Manningham council lists a barbecue with a shade sail at Templestowe Reserve.
How we checked
We checked every place on this page against at least two independent sources between 9 October 2026 and 10 October 2026: OpenStreetMap, government pages and council pages. Facilities and opening hours change, so check the official page before you go. The photos are illustrative, from Unsplash: they show the kind of place, not the places 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
- Westerfolds Park: openstreetmap.org/156129701, parks.vic.gov.au/westerfolds-park, parks.vic.gov.au/yarra-valley-parklands
- Alistair Knox Park: openstreetmap.org/1264438210, nillumbik.vic.gov.au/Alistair-Knox-Park
- Gertrude Reserve: openstreetmap.org/1268613984, manningham.vic.gov.au/gertrude-reserve
- Eric Reserve: openstreetmap.org/826838203, manningham.vic.gov.au/eric-reserve
- Mayfair Reserve: openstreetmap.org/1326433905, manningham.vic.gov.au/mayfair-reserve
- Templestowe Reserve: openstreetmap.org/29123410, manningham.vic.gov.au/templestowe-reserve
