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, and every price was copied from the page it was published on.
This page answers a plain question: which easy-to-miss places around Malvern East are on the record, and what do their own sources say? It covers five places, four in Malvern East and one just over the line in Glen Iris: a museum, a council garden, a council reserve and two restaurants.
Nothing here is called special on our say-so. Each place was checked against at least two sources, such as the venue’s own site, a council page, OpenStreetMap or the Australian Good Food Guide, and every claim below is attributed to the source that makes it.
The quick picks
| If you’re after | Head to | Order this | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| A sculptor’s home and studio | Duldig Studio | Public guided tour (Thurs + Sunday | 1pm – 4pm, tours begin at 1:30pm) | $15 |
| Garden with an ornamental lake | Hedgeley Dene Gardens | see below | not printed here |
| Ponds, bridges and walking paths | Urban Forest Reserve | see below | not printed here |
| Child friendly Waverley Road dining | Nepal Dining Room | Pistachio Ice Cream | $10.00 |
| Glen Iris izakaya, evenings | Izakaya Chouchou | see below | not printed here |
Duldig Studio — 92 Burke Road, Malvern East VIC 3145
Duldig Studio, at 92 Burke Road, is described on its own site as the former home and studio of sculptor Karl Duldig (1902 to 1986) and artist, designer and inventor Slawa Horowitz-Duldig (1901 to 1975). That is a lot of family history behind a suburban street number, and the site adds a tranquil sculpture garden filled with Karl Duldig’s works. Its site asks visitors to book, with Thursday and Sunday from 1pm to 4pm, and it lists the public guided tour at Duldig Studio at $15, with tours beginning at 1:30pm.
Listed prices (copied from duldig.org.au and duldig.org.au (2) on 10 October 2026):
- Public guided tour (Thurs + Sunday | 1pm – 4pm, tours begin at 1:30pm): $15
- Group tour per person, including morning or afternoon tea: $25
The tell: The site’s own wording is book to visit, so treat this as an appointment-style stop rather than a wander-in.
Hedgeley Dene Gardens — Malvern East VIC 3145
The council describes Hedgeley Dene Gardens as one of Malvern’s most beautiful and popular gardens. It also says the gardens, which include an ornamental lake, link Central Park and the Gardiners Creek valley parklands. One rule is on the record: the council page says wedding ceremonies and photography are not allowed in the gardens.
On the record: The council page for the gardens carries the wedding ceremonies and photography line, so read it before you plan a ceremony or a shoot there.
Urban Forest Reserve — Malvern East VIC 3145
The council’s page says Urban Forest Reserve is set within natural bushland and features a grassy picnic area, ponds, bridges, pedestrian and cycle paths and extensive tree plantings. It also lists picnic tables, shade areas, bicycle paths and unpaved walking trails. OpenStreetMap carries the shorter name Urban Forest, so try both names in a map app.
Find it: The council page names East Malvern train station on the Glen Waverley line as the rail link.
Nepal Dining Room — 156 Waverley Road, Malvern East VIC 3145
Nepal Dining Room is at 156 Waverley Road, and its own site and AGFG agree on that address. AGFG lists it as child friendly, which is a listing feature rather than something we observed. The menu prints Lemon Lime & Bitters at $7.50 at Nepal Dining Room, alongside Great Northern Zero (non-alcoholic) at $10.
On the menu (copied from /[email protected] on 9 October 2026):
- Pistachio Ice Cream: $10.00
- Great Northern: $10
- Great Northern Zero (non-alcoholic): $10
- Lemon Lime & Bitters: $7.50
What’s hidden: Nothing is claimed here beyond what the listings print: the address, the AGFG child friendly tag and the menu prices above.
Izakaya Chouchou — 31 High Street, Glen Iris VIC 3146
Izakaya Chouchou is at 31 High Street, Glen Iris, which adjoins Malvern East, and its own site and AGFG give the same address. An izakaya is a Japanese pub-style place built around small dishes and drinks. AGFG’s listing shows 5:30 PM to 9:00 PM, Tuesday to Sunday, with Monday closed, though that listing may be out of date and the site carries no date we could read.
Find it: Both the venue’s site and AGFG print 31 High Street, Glen Iris, so check the listing hours with the venue before you set out.
Quick answers
Can you visit Duldig Studio without booking?
Duldig Studio’s own site headlines the visit as book to visit on Thursday and Sunday, from 1pm to 4pm, with group bookings by appointment. It lists the public guided tour at $15, with tours beginning at 1:30pm, so booking ahead is the safe reading.
Are weddings and photography allowed at Hedgeley Dene Gardens?
The council page for Hedgeley Dene Gardens says wedding ceremonies and photography are not allowed in the gardens. The page does not say which kinds of photography it means, so ask the council before planning a shoot, since rules can change.
Where is a park with ponds and bridges in Malvern East?
The council describes Urban Forest Reserve as set within natural bushland with a grassy picnic area, ponds, bridges, pedestrian and cycle paths and extensive tree plantings. The same page names East Malvern train station on the Glen Waverley line.
Is Izakaya Chouchou in Malvern East?
Izakaya Chouchou is at 31 High Street, Glen Iris, which adjoins Malvern East, and both its own site and AGFG print that address. AGFG’s listing shows 5:30 PM to 9:00 PM, Tuesday to Sunday, with Monday closed, so confirm with the venue as the listing may be out of date.
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, the places’ own websites, council pages and the Australian Good Food Guide. Every price is copied exactly as printed on the page linked under Sources, between 9 October 2026 and 10 October 2026, the date given beside each menu. Menus, prices and opening hours change, so check with the venue before you go. The cover photo is illustrative, from Unsplash, and 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
- Duldig Studio: openstreetmap.org/574642911, duldig.org.au, duldig.org.au (2), duldig.org.au (3), duldig.org.au (4)
- Hedgeley Dene Gardens: openstreetmap.org/57884850, stonnington.vic.gov.au/Hedgeley-Dene-Gardens
- Urban Forest Reserve: openstreetmap.org/51128774, stonnington.vic.gov.au/Urban-Forest-Reserve
- Nepal Dining Room: nepaldiningroom.com.au, agfg.com.au/nepal-dining-room-59627
- Izakaya Chouchou: izakayachouchou.com.au, agfg.com.au/izakaya-chouchou-90175
