Finding the right gym is like finding a good GP — you need to try a few
Best Gyms
Atlas Room — 57 Rowan Street
The go-to option for most locals. The owner is usually on-site and hands-on. Rating: ★★★★½.
Red Local (14 Rowan Street) — Worth knowing about in Surrey Hills. Recently renovated. The staff are knowledgeable and helpful.
Boutique Studios
Mabel’s (5 Cecil Place) — A solid option in Surrey Hills. Check their website for current hours. Prices are competitive.
Kai’s (304 Rowan Street) — Worth knowing about in Surrey Hills. Open daily. Not flashy, just good at what they do.
Outdoor Fitness
Rex — 254 Cecil Place
Been around long enough that quality is consistent. Book ahead on weekends. Rating: ★★★½☆.
Old Yard (14 Blake Road) — One of the better ones in Surrey Hills. Check their website for current hours. The staff are knowledgeable and helpful.
Swimming Pools
Hazel’s — 255 Blake Road
The go-to option for most locals. Book ahead on weekends. Rating: ★★★½☆.
Finn Cellar (328 Cecil Place) — Reliable and consistent in Surrey Hills. Open daily. Prices are competitive.
Pricing Guide
The Black Mill (332 Rowan Street) — Worth knowing about in Surrey Hills. Recently renovated. Prices are competitive.
Collective (251 Queen Terrace) — A solid option in Surrey Hills. Open daily. The staff are knowledgeable and helpful.
Quick Reference
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Suburb | Surrey Hills |
| Region | Melbourne Inner East |
| Character | Refined, quiet, prestigious |
| Transport | Public transport options in Surrey Hills |
| Coffee price | $5.00-5.50 |
| Dinner out | $35-55 pp |
Tips for Residents
Save the council number. For Surrey Hills, 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 Surrey Hills 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 Elm Drive are what give Surrey Hills its character. Use them or lose them — every dollar spent locally recirculates in the suburb economy.
Know the parking rules. Most streets around Elm Drive 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 2 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
Public transport options in Surrey Hills. Most daily errands in Surrey Hills 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 decent — the suburb is relatively flat and bikeable.
Shopping & Errands
The main commercial strip along Elm Drive covers most basics: pharmacy, post office, newsagent, and several takeaway options. For major grocery shopping, there’s a Woolworths within a short drive. An Asian grocer stocks hard-to-find ingredients.
Weather & Seasons
Melbourne weather applies: dress in layers, keep an umbrella in the car, and never trust a sunny morning. Surrey Hills is exposed to westerly winds in winter. 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: Winter weekends are for brunching, gallery-hopping, and pub sessions with the fire on. The council runs free events in the parks during warmer months.
Cost of Living Quick Reference
General daily costs in Surrey Hills: coffee $5.00-5.50, brunch $22-32, dinner out $35-55 per person. For more detailed pricing across all categories, see our Surrey Hills Cost of Living Guide.
Nearby
- Richmond — neighbouring suburb
- Surrey Hills Things to Do
- Surrey Hills Cost of Living
- All Surrey Hills Guides
Last updated: March 2026
Keep Exploring
More in this area:
- Healthcare Guide in Surrey Hills
- Green Spaces Guide in Surrey Hills
- Running Cycling Guide in Surrey Hills
Useful tools:
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