Preston terrain and infrastructure make it excellent for running and cycling
Best Running Routes
The Southern Social (313 High Street) — Worth knowing about in Preston. Established in 2024. Popular with locals for good reason.
The High Cellar (191 High Street) — A solid option in Preston. Open daily. Not flashy, just good at what they do.
Kai (57 Bell Street) — One of the better ones in Preston. Open daily. Popular with locals for good reason.
Cycling Paths
Sunny Place — 115 Murray Road
A newer addition that has earned its place. The owner is usually on-site and hands-on. Rating: ★★★★½.
Green Cellar (60 Bell Street) — Reliable and consistent in Preston. Open daily. Not flashy, just good at what they do.
Max Cellar — 27 Bell Street
A newer addition that has earned its place. The owner is usually on-site and hands-on. Rating: ★★★★½.
Hill Training
The White Kitchen — 199 Bell Street
Under the radar but deserving of more attention. Book ahead on weekends. Rating: ★★★½☆.
Lena’s (78 High Street) — Reliable and consistent in Preston. Recently renovated. Prices are competitive.
Good Works — 283 Bell Street
Been around long enough that quality is consistent. Book ahead on weekends. Rating: ★★★★½.
Parkrun
Ava — 285 Murray Road
A newer addition that has earned its place. Book ahead on weekends. Rating: ★★★★½.
Otto Store — 80 Murray Road
Under the radar but deserving of more attention. Pricing is transparent — no hidden fees. Rating: ★★★★☆.
Group Runs & Rides
Southern Commons — 30 Plenty Road
A newer addition that has earned its place. The owner is usually on-site and hands-on. Rating: ★★★★½.
Green Mill — 288 Gilbert Road
Been around long enough that quality is consistent. 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 4 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 Aldi within a short drive. The IGA is handy for quick top-ups.
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: Spring markets and outdoor events run September through November. The local traders do seasonal events worth following on socials.
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
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