Running & Cycling in Mentone

Mentone terrain and infrastructure make it surprisingly good for running and cycling

Best Running Routes

Common Union — 153 Lygon Avenue

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

Marco Corner — 356 Lygon Avenue

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

The Sunny Lane (243 Flinders Lane) — Worth knowing about in Mentone. Established in 2019. The staff are knowledgeable and helpful.

Cycling Paths

Stella Local (103 Brunswick Avenue) — A solid option in Mentone. Open daily. The staff are knowledgeable and helpful.

Zara’s — 108 Brunswick Avenue

Been around long enough that quality is consistent. Book ahead on weekends. Rating: ★★★★☆.

The Old Place — 255 Market Parade

A newer addition that has earned its place. Book ahead on weekends. Rating: ★★★½☆.

Hill Training

Gus Corner (286 Brunswick Avenue) — Worth knowing about in Mentone. Check their website for current hours. Popular with locals for good reason.

Assembly — 336 Flinders Lane

Been around long enough that quality is consistent. The owner is usually on-site and hands-on. Rating: ★★★★★.

Parkrun

Chapter — 219 Ash Terrace

The go-to option for most locals. Family-friendly with designated areas. Rating: ★★★★★.

Blue Bench (259 Flinders Lane) — A solid option in Mentone. Check their website for current hours. Not flashy, just good at what they do.

Zara’s (84 Market Parade) — Reliable and consistent in Mentone. Open daily. Popular with locals for good reason.

Group Runs & Rides

Nell Local (282 Flinders Lane) — One of the better ones in Mentone. Established in 2018. Not flashy, just good at what they do.

Ruby Corner (253 Ash Terrace) — One of the better ones in Mentone. Established in 2022. Prices are competitive.

Nina (285 Brunswick Avenue) — A solid option in Mentone. Established in 2020. Not flashy, just good at what they do.

Quick Reference

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

Tips for Residents

Save the council number. For Mentone, 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 Mentone 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 Brunswick Avenue are what give Mentone its character. Use them or lose them — every dollar spent locally recirculates in the suburb economy.
Know the parking rules. Most streets around Brunswick Avenue 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 2 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 Mentone. Most daily errands in Mentone 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 decent — the suburb is relatively flat and bikeable.

Shopping & Errands

The main commercial strip along Brunswick Avenue covers most basics: pharmacy, post office, newsagent, and several takeaway options. For major grocery shopping, there’s a Coles within 5-10 minutes. The butcher on Ash Terrace is worth knowing about.

Weather & Seasons

Melbourne weather applies: dress in layers, keep an umbrella in the car, and never trust a sunny morning. Mentone is slightly warmer than suburbs further from the coast. 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 Mentone: coffee $4.50-5.50, brunch $19-28, dinner out $28-45 per person. For more detailed pricing across all categories, see our Mentone Cost of Living Guide.

Nearby

Last updated: March 2026

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