What Is There to Do in Preston?
More than you think. Preston Market, High Street’s multicultural food corridor, a growing bar scene along Plenty Road, and enough parks and walking trails to keep your weekends full without leaving the suburb.
Preston Market
The centrepiece. Open Wednesday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. One of Melbourne’s best multicultural markets — Turkish gozleme stalls, Vietnamese banh mi, Lebanese bakeries, Chinese BBQ, and fresh produce at prices that make supermarkets look expensive. Saturday morning is the main event, but Sunday is quieter and equally good.
Food and Drink Exploration
Cafe hopping along High Street and Dundas Place — from Moon Rabbit for jaffles to Arepa Days for Colombian arepas to Skinny’s for American-style breakfast sandwiches.
Restaurant discovery — Dexter for fire-cooked modern Australian, Tavolata for handmade pasta, Pho Hung and Lam Lam for the best pho in Melbourne’s north.
Bar crawling — Hardout Bar and Rebel Rebel on Plenty Road, Oliva Social at 102-104 High Street, Surly’s for pet-nats.
Outdoor Activities
Merri Creek Trail — Accessible from Preston’s western edge. Walk or cycle through to Clifton Hill, roughly 45 minutes return. Urban bushland that feels surprisingly removed from the suburb.
Local parks — City of Darebin maintains several parks with playgrounds, off-leash dog zones, and sports facilities. Weekend sport — cricket in summer, footy in winter, and year-round fitness groups.
Cycling — Flat terrain and improving cycling infrastructure along Plenty Road and Gilbert Road. The Merri Creek path is the standout cycling route.
Entertainment
The Keys on Murray Road — 12 bowling lanes, a gaming arcade, 45 beer taps, and a dance floor. Works for groups, dates, or a solo session.
Live music — Pubs and bars book live acts regularly. Hardout Bar has vinyl DJs on weekends. The Olympic Hotel on Bell Street gets buzzy on AFL match days.
Record shopping — Several second-hand vinyl shops along High Street for serious diggers.
Family-Friendly Activities
- Preston Market — buskers, food samples, and atmosphere that kids love
- The Keys — bowling and arcade games, family-friendly before 6pm
- Local playgrounds — Darebin council-maintained, within walking distance
- Reservoir Leisure Centre — swimming, nearby
- Local library — kids’ readings, holiday activities, community workshops
Free Things to Do
- Walk the Merri Creek trail from Preston’s western edge
- Browse the record stores on High Street
- Wander Preston Market (window shopping is free)
- Explore the residential back streets — architecture, gardens, and laneway discoveries
- People-watch from a bench on High Street
FAQ
What’s the main attraction in Preston? Preston Market. Open Wednesday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. One of Melbourne’s best multicultural markets.
Is there bowling in Preston? Yes. The Keys on Murray Road has 12 bowling lanes plus arcade games, 45 beer taps, and a dance floor.
Are there good walks near Preston? The Merri Creek trail is accessible from Preston’s western edge — 45 minutes return through urban bushland to Clifton Hill.
The Verdict
Preston doesn’t have landmarks or tourist attractions — it has a food market, a multicultural food strip, a growing bar scene, and Merri Creek access. That’s more than enough to fill every weekend differently. The variety across High Street, Plenty Road, and Murray Road means you can eat, drink, bowl, walk, and explore without repeating yourself for months. It’s a suburb built for living in, not visiting.
More on Preston: Preston Suburb Guide · Preston Best Cafes · Preston Neighbourhood Guide
Explore More of Preston
- Preston History
- Preston Things To Do This Weekend
- Preston Cheap Eats
- Preston Rent Guide
- Preston Date Night Guide
- Preston New Openings
- Preston Cost of Living
- Preston Young Professionals Guide
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