Parking in Preston sits somewhere between reasonable and infuriating depending on the time of day
Free Parking
The Southern Bench — 3 Murray Road
Under the radar but deserving of more attention. Pricing is transparent — no hidden fees. Rating: ★★★★★.
The Southern Larder — 126 Murray Road
The go-to option for most locals. Family-friendly with designated areas. Rating: ★★★★★.
The Golden Room — 303 Gilbert Road
Been around long enough that quality is consistent. Book ahead on weekends. Rating: ★★★★☆.
Time Limits
The Southern Works (334 High Street) — Reliable and consistent in Preston. Check their website for current hours. Prices are competitive.
Nico Local — 178 High Street
A newer addition that has earned its place. Family-friendly with designated areas. Rating: ★★★★★.
Ivy’s — 293 Bell Street
Been around long enough that quality is consistent. Family-friendly with designated areas. Rating: ★★★★½.
Permit Zones
Sol’s — 96 Bell Street
The go-to option for most locals. Pricing is transparent — no hidden fees. Rating: ★★★½☆.
Marco — 263 Gilbert Road
Been around long enough that quality is consistent. The owner is usually on-site and hands-on. Rating: ★★★½☆.
Train Station Parking
White Kitchen (50 Plenty Road) — A solid option in Preston. Open daily. The staff are knowledgeable and helpful.
The Wide Press (189 Gilbert Road) — Worth knowing about in Preston. Check their website for current hours. Prices are competitive.
Felix Commons — 301 Plenty Road
A newer addition that has earned its place. Book ahead on weekends. Rating: ★★★★☆.
Tips & Tricks
The Northern Pantry (36 Bell Street) — Worth knowing about in Preston. Open daily. The staff are knowledgeable and helpful.
The Tall Union — 30 Murray Road
Under the radar but deserving of more attention. Family-friendly with designated areas. Rating: ★★★★☆.
Quick Reference
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Suburb | Preston |
| Region | Melbourne North |
| Character | Multicultural, working-class charm, evolving |
| Transport | Preston/Bell stations, tram 86 |
| Coffee price | $4.50-5.00 |
| Dinner out | $22-38 pp |
Tips for Residents
Save the council number. For Preston, 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 Preston 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 High Street are what give Preston its character. Use them or lose them — every dollar spent locally recirculates in the suburb economy.
Know the parking rules. Most streets around High Street 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 3 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
Preston/Bell stations, tram 86. Most daily errands in Preston 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 improving with new bike lanes on High Street.
Shopping & Errands
The main commercial strip along High Street 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 Bell Street is worth knowing about.
Weather & Seasons
Melbourne weather applies: dress in layers, keep an umbrella in the car, and never trust a sunny morning. Preston is sheltered by tree cover in the residential streets. 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: Autumn is the quietest season — locals-only energy and a nice pace. The community garden is active year-round.
Cost of Living Quick Reference
General daily costs in Preston: coffee $4.50-5.00, brunch $17-25, dinner out $22-38 per person. For more detailed pricing across all categories, see our Preston Cost of Living Guide.
Nearby
- Thornbury — neighbouring suburb
- Preston Things to Do
- Preston Cost of Living
- All Preston Guides
Last updated: March 2026
Keep Exploring
More in this area:
- Community Guide in Preston
- Coworking Guide in Preston
- Council Services in Preston
- Library Guide in Preston
- Playground Guide in Preston
Nearby suburbs:
Useful tools:
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