Correction (4 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 4 October 2026, and every price was copied from the page it was published on.
Nothing on this page is called secret because we say so. These six places are lesser-known only in the sense that a source describes something specific about them: a cottage, a trail, a sensory garden, an op shop that is taking in school uniforms.
There are six: four parks, an op shop and a bookshop. One park is in Ormond, one in McKinnon, one in Murrumbeena and one in Carnegie. The op shop is in Glen Huntly and the bookshop in Bentleigh, so the list covers Ormond and the suburbs around it.
Each was checked at two sources, mostly the council’s pages and the places’ own sites. We describe only what those sources say.
The quick picks
| If you’re after | Head to | Listed | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Box Cottage and local history | Joyce Park | see below | not printed here |
| A rose garden behind the main roads | Wattle Grove Reserve | see below | not printed here |
| Self-guided Kulin history trail | Mallanbool Reserve | see below | not printed here |
| Sensory garden shelter | Rosanna Street Reserve | see below | not printed here |
| Op shop and school uniforms | Posh Opp Shoppe (Glen Huntly) | see below | not printed here |
| Independent bookshop and gifts | Benn’s Books | The German Ward - Pip Wiliiams | $34.99 |
Joyce Park — Jasper Road, Ormond VIC 3204
The council page says Joyce Park is home to Box Cottage, a reproduction tied to William and Elizabeth Box, and that the cottage is also home to the Moorabbin Historical Society. The page adds that it “features a large display of photos and memorabilia.”
The park has two picnic shelters, according to the same page. We found no published opening hours for the cottage, so check the council page before treating it as a destination.
On the record: the council lists Box Cottage and the Moorabbin Historical Society display at this park.
Wattle Grove Reserve — Wattle Grove, McKinnon VIC 3204
The council describes Wattle Grove Reserve as “a picturesque park” that sits behind the main roads of McKinnon. It says the reserve is especially beautiful in spring and summer, when the rose garden comes to life.
The same page lists a playground and a picnic shelter with two picnic tables. That is the whole case for it, and it is a sourced one.
Find it: Wattle Grove, McKinnon, which is how the council gives the location.
Mallanbool Reserve — Corner Leila and Murrumbeena Roads, Murrumbeena VIC 3163
According to the council, Mallanbool Reserve has “a cultural and botanical trail on the history of the original inhabitants of the area, the Kulin”. The history is “discoverable through the self-guided walking tour that features historical signage and sound-posts.”
That is a longer story than a park sign usually carries, and the council has put it on the page. It is in Murrumbeena, not Ormond.
Find it: the corner of Leila and Murrumbeena Roads, per the council listing.
Rosanna Street Reserve — Rosanna Street, Carnegie VIC 3163
The council says this Carnegie reserve has a playground and a sensory garden. It also mentions “a shelter located amongst the sensory garden for contemplation or relaxation.”
That shelter is the detail to look for, and it is the council’s own description. Check the council page for what else is there, because we have not listed everything.
The tell: the council page names a shelter in the sensory garden, which is the line to look for.
Posh Opp Shoppe (Glen Huntly) — 1226 Glen Huntly Road, Glen Huntly VIC 3163
The shop’s site says it “offers a world of sustainable fashion and assorted goods” and invites visitors to “have a fun thrifting experience.” A news line says “all second-hand school uniforms are moving from Elsternwick to our Glen Huntly store”.
Its own site lists Monday and Sunday as closed, Tuesday to Friday 10:00 am to 4:30 pm, and Saturday 10:00 am to 5:00 pm. We have used the shop’s own page for hours, but OpenStreetMap lists Thursday as closed and the shop’s hours page carries an old heading, so ring (03) 9572 2248 before a Thursday trip. The site footer mentions supporting a local community charity.
On the record: the shop’s own site, which lists this Glen Huntly store as the home for the second-hand school uniforms.
Benn’s Books — 437 Centre Road, Bentleigh VIC 3204
Benn’s Books is an independent bookshop with an online catalogue. Its site says “Contact us to find your next read!” and lists “Gifts & Stationery” alongside the books. A section there reads “October 2026 Kids New Releases”.
The listed prices are website shelf prices: Fierceland: Winner of the 2026 Miles Franklin Award at $34.99, and Gabi Makes Room (Your Next Read Gold) at $14.99. It is in Bentleigh, not Ormond.
Listed prices (copied from bennsbooks.com.au on 4 October 2026):
- The German Ward - Pip Wiliiams: $34.99
- Gabi Makes Room (Your Next Read Gold): $14.99
- Fierceland: Winner of the 2026 Miles Franklin Award: $34.99
The tell: the catalogue prints AUD shelf prices online, so you can price a book before you go.
Quick answers
What are the lesser-known parks near Ormond?
Four parks are covered here: Joyce Park in Ormond, Wattle Grove Reserve in McKinnon, Mallanbool Reserve in Murrumbeena and Rosanna Street Reserve in Carnegie. Each has a detail on its council page, from Box Cottage to a rose garden, a Kulin history trail and a sensory garden shelter.
Is there an op shop near Ormond?
Posh Opp Shoppe has a Glen Huntly store at 1226 Glen Huntly Road. Its own site lists Tuesday to Friday 10:00 am to 4:30 pm, Saturday 10:00 am to 5:00 pm, and Monday and Sunday closed.
Is there a walking trail about Kulin history near Ormond?
Mallanbool Reserve in Murrumbeena. The council describes a cultural and botanical trail on the history of the Kulin, discoverable through a self-guided walking tour with historical signage and sound-posts.
What is Box Cottage in Joyce Park, Ormond?
The council says Joyce Park is home to Box Cottage, a reproduction tied to William and Elizabeth Box. It adds that the cottage is home to the Moorabbin Historical Society and features a large display of photos and memorabilia. We found no published opening hours, so check the council page first.
How we checked
We checked every place on this page against at least two independent sources on 4 October 2026: OpenStreetMap, council pages and the places’ own websites. Every price is copied exactly as printed on the page linked under Sources, on 4 October 2026. Facilities and opening hours change, so check the official page 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
- Joyce Park: openstreetmap.org/28639779, gleneira.vic.gov.au/joyce-park
- Wattle Grove Reserve: openstreetmap.org/70658860, gleneira.vic.gov.au/wattle-grove-reserve, gleneira.vic.gov.au/dog-walking-and-off-leash-areas
- Mallanbool Reserve: openstreetmap.org/57776570, gleneira.vic.gov.au/mallanbool-reserve
- Rosanna Street Reserve: openstreetmap.org/58699519, gleneira.vic.gov.au/rosanna-street-reserve, gleneira.vic.gov.au/dog-walking-and-off-leash-areas
- Posh Opp Shoppe (Glen Huntly): openstreetmap.org/4992287822, poshoppshoppe.com.au/store-locations, poshoppshoppe.com.au
- Benn’s Books: openstreetmap.org/1127660996, bennsbooks.com.au
