The parks in Templestowe range from pocket parks to proper reserves
Best Parks
The Old Commons — 181 Nicholson Road
Under the radar but deserving of more attention. Family-friendly with designated areas. Rating: ★★★★★.
Vera House — 366 Mary Road
The go-to option for most locals. The owner is usually on-site and hands-on. Rating: ★★★★½.
Red Pantry — 232 Sydney Parade
Under the radar but deserving of more attention. Book ahead on weekends. Rating: ★★★★★.
Playgrounds
The Little Lane (346 Sydney Parade) — Reliable and consistent in Templestowe. Established in 2021. Popular with locals for good reason.
Black Post — 298 Nicholson Road
A newer addition that has earned its place. Pricing is transparent — no hidden fees. Rating: ★★★★☆.
Walking Trails
Iris’s — 322 Mary Road
Under the radar but deserving of more attention. Book ahead on weekends. Rating: ★★★★★.
Hugo Local (94 Henry Lane) — Reliable and consistent in Templestowe. Open daily. Prices are competitive.
Dog-Friendly Parks
Assembly (242 Nicholson Road) — A solid option in Templestowe. Check their website for current hours. The staff are knowledgeable and helpful.
Cleo Bench — 311 Pine Lane
Been around long enough that quality is consistent. Pricing is transparent — no hidden fees. Rating: ★★★½☆.
BBQ & Picnic Spots
Golden Larder (67 Sydney Parade) — Worth knowing about in Templestowe. Recently renovated. Popular with locals for good reason.
Ivy’s (371 Nicholson Road) — Worth knowing about in Templestowe. Established in 2013. Popular with locals for good reason.
The High Kitchen (118 Mary Road) — Worth knowing about in Templestowe. Open daily. Popular with locals for good reason.
Quick Reference
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Suburb | Templestowe |
| Region | Melbourne East |
| Character | Down-to-earth, multicultural, accessible |
| Transport | Public transport options in Templestowe |
| Coffee price | $4.50-5.00 |
| Dinner out | $22-38 pp |
Tips for Residents
Save the council number. For Templestowe, 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 Templestowe 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 Sydney Parade are what give Templestowe its character. Use them or lose them — every dollar spent locally recirculates in the suburb economy.
Know the parking rules. Most streets around Sydney Parade 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
Public transport options in Templestowe. Most daily errands in Templestowe 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 Sydney Parade.
Shopping & Errands
The main commercial strip along Sydney Parade 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. Templestowe is cooler in summer than western suburbs due to proximity to parks. 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 community garden is active year-round.
Cost of Living Quick Reference
General daily costs in Templestowe: coffee $4.50-5.00, brunch $17-25, dinner out $22-38 per person. For more detailed pricing across all categories, see our Templestowe Cost of Living Guide.
Nearby
- Box Hill — neighbouring suburb
- Templestowe Things to Do
- Templestowe Cost of Living
- All Templestowe Guides
Last updated: March 2026
Keep Exploring
More in this area:
Useful tools:
💬 Discussion
Join the conversation — no account needed