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.
This page answers one question: where can you take kids, a picnic or a rug on the grass around South Yarra? It covers seven parks and gardens, three in South Yarra, three in Prahran and one in Toorak, so it is a guide to the area rather than the suburb alone.
Every facility named below comes from a council page, either the City of Melbourne or the City of Stonnington, and each place was matched against OpenStreetMap as a second source. Where a council page does not say something, we have left it out. Facilities change, so use the council link before you head off.
The quick picks
| If you’re after | Head to | Where |
|---|---|---|
| Three playgrounds and free barbecues | Fawkner Park | Fawkner Park, between Toorak Road and Commercial Road, South Yarra |
| Playground near South Yarra Station | Darling Gardens | Alexandra Avenue, South Yarra |
| Sloping lawns beside the Yarra | Como Park | 305-325 William Road, South Yarra |
| Skate park, courts and lawns | Princes Gardens | Little Chapel Street, Prahran |
| Picnic stop near Prahran Market | Grattan Gardens | Grattan Street, Prahran |
| Barbecue and sheltered picnic area | Brookville Gardens | Canterbury Road, Toorak |
| Accessible play elements, water feature | Victoria Gardens | 361 High Street, Prahran |
Fawkner Park — Fawkner Park, between Toorak Road and Commercial Road, South Yarra VIC 3141
The City of Melbourne page places Fawkner Park between Toorak Road in the north and Commercial Road in the south, and says it remains largely unchanged from its original design of 1875. The council lists three different children’s playgrounds, and says the one in the centre was designed especially for toddlers. Its facilities list also names barbecues, seats, drinking fountains and three public toilets, and the council suggests a picnic beneath the large shady trees.
Start at: the Toorak Road edge if you are coming from the north, since the council describes the park as running from Toorak Road down to Commercial Road.
Darling Gardens — Alexandra Avenue, South Yarra VIC 3141
Stonnington describes Darling Gardens as sitting next to the Yarra River on Alexandra Avenue. Its page lists a playground with accessible features, a barbecue area, picnic seating and amenities. The council also says the gardens are easily accessible from South Yarra Station, which suits a train trip. Its page does not list the gardens as an off-lead park.
Water and toilets: the council’s facility list for Darling Gardens includes toilets, picnic tables and a playground, but we could not find a drinking fountain listed.
Como Park — 305-325 William Road, South Yarra VIC 3141
The Stonnington page for Como Park sits alongside Como Park North and the Thomas Oval Dog Park. It says the park is next to the Yarra River and near the historic Como house, and describes it as famous for its vast, sloping lawns and scenic views. The listed features include a sports oval with floodlights, a barbecue area, a basketball half court, a playground, outdoor exercise equipment, a bike path and a dog park. The council says dogs are allowed on-lead only in Como Park North.
Turn-around point: the council groups Como Park, Como Park North and the Thomas Oval Dog Park on one page, so decide which of the three you are heading for before you set off.
Princes Gardens — Little Chapel Street, Prahran VIC 3181
Princes Gardens is in Prahran, and the council’s off-lead list describes it as bounded by Malvern Road, Essex Street and Little Chapel Street. Stonnington lists a skate park, tennis courts, an outdoor basketball full court, a playground, shaded areas and ample lawns. The page also says the gardens are home to Chapel Off Chapel, and that the council bought extra land in 1924 for a children’s playground and wading pool.
Weather call: the council lists shaded areas here, but check the Bureau of Meteorology forecast for rain and heat before you commit to a long stay.
Grattan Gardens — Grattan Street, Prahran VIC 3181
Grattan Gardens is on Grattan Street in Prahran. The council says it is just metres from Prahran Market and Chapel Street, and calls it a place to take a break, have some lunch and enjoy a little bit of nature. Its facility list names a barbecue, picnic tables, a playground, shade areas and a water feature.
Start at: Prahran Market, which the council puts just metres away, then walk to Grattan Street.
Brookville Gardens — Canterbury Road, Toorak VIC 3142
Stonnington calls Brookville Gardens a popular park on Canterbury Road in Toorak. It says local families visit for the playground and large lawn area, and stay to enjoy a barbecue and the sheltered picnic area. The facility list also names toilets, drinking fountains, floodlights, a rotunda and shade areas. The council page mentions a planned playground update, so check it for the current state.
Distance / grade / surface: we could not find a council-published distance, grade or surface for walking here, so check the Stonnington page rather than assuming.
Victoria Gardens — 361 High Street, Prahran VIC 3181
Victoria Gardens is at 361 High Street, Prahran, so it sits outside South Yarra proper. Stonnington says the gardens run between High and Murray streets and cover two hectares. The Lumley children’s playground has been improved with accessible play elements such as basket swings with rubber matting, and the facility list adds shade areas, toilets and a water feature. The council says the sunken garden is the only part of the gardens designated for dog off-leash exercise.
Water and toilets: the council’s list shows toilets, but we could not find a drinking fountain listed, so confirm the toilet location on the Stonnington page before you arrive with little ones.
Quick answers
Which parks near South Yarra have playgrounds?
The City of Melbourne says Fawkner Park has three different children’s playgrounds, including one in the centre designed for toddlers. Stonnington lists a playground at Darling Gardens, Como Park, Princes Gardens, Grattan Gardens, Brookville Gardens and Victoria Gardens, where the Lumley playground has accessible play elements.
Where can you have a barbecue in a park around South Yarra?
The City of Melbourne mentions free on-site barbecues and picnic areas at Fawkner Park. Stonnington lists a barbecue or barbecue area at Darling Gardens, Como Park, Grattan Gardens and Brookville Gardens, and the Brookville page also mentions a sheltered picnic area.
Is there a park near South Yarra Station?
Stonnington says Darling Gardens, on Alexandra Avenue beside the Yarra River, is easily accessible from South Yarra Station. Its page lists a playground, barbecue area, picnic seating and toilets.
Which South Yarra parks have off-lead dog areas?
The City of Melbourne says Fawkner Park has designated off-leash areas, and that dogs must be leashed elsewhere in the park. Stonnington lists a dog park at Como Park, off-lead on the Princes Gardens facility list, and the sunken garden as the only off-leash area in Victoria Gardens. Its Darling Gardens page does not list it as an off-lead park.
How we checked
We checked every place on this page against at least two independent sources on 4 October 2026: OpenStreetMap and council pages. Facilities and opening hours change, so check the official page before you go. The photos are illustrative, from Unsplash: they show the kind of place, not the places 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
- Fawkner Park: openstreetmap.org/12273713, melbourne.vic.gov.au/fawkner-park
- Darling Gardens: openstreetmap.org/32025432, stonnington.vic.gov.au/Darling-Gardens
- Como Park: openstreetmap.org/28755549, stonnington.vic.gov.au/Como-Park-and-Thomas-Oval-Dog-Park, stonnington.vic.gov.au/Parks-and-sporting-facilities
- Princes Gardens: openstreetmap.org/670999815, stonnington.vic.gov.au/Princes-Gardens, stonnington.vic.gov.au/Off-lead-parks-and-reserves
- Grattan Gardens: openstreetmap.org/42911155, stonnington.vic.gov.au/Grattan-Gardens
- Brookville Gardens: openstreetmap.org/43930300, stonnington.vic.gov.au/Brookville-Gardens, stonnington.vic.gov.au/Off-lead-parks-and-reserves
- Victoria Gardens: openstreetmap.org/23014265, stonnington.vic.gov.au/Victoria-Gardens, stonnington.vic.gov.au/Parks-and-sporting-facilities
