Moving to Toorak with kids? The short answer: it’s one of Melbourne’s best family suburbs if you can afford it. The schools are exceptional, the streets are quiet, and the community is engaged. Here’s the honest breakdown.
Read our full Toorak suburb guide for the complete picture.
Schools — The Main Draw
Schools are the primary reason families move to Toorak, and the options are exceptional:
Melbourne Grammar School — One of Melbourne’s most prestigious private schools, with the junior campus on Grimwade’s site accessible from Toorak. Fees are significant but the school’s reputation is established over 160+ years.
Lauriston Girls’ School — An independent girls’ school on Huntingtower Road in Toorak itself. Strong academic results and a community that’s deeply embedded in the suburb’s social fabric.
St Kevin’s College — Catholic boys’ school nearby in South Yarra, within easy reach of Toorak families.
Toorak Primary School — The local government primary school on Toorak Road. Well-regarded and benefits from an engaged parent community and the demographics that come with the postcode.
Childcare and kindergarten spots are competitive — register well before you move if you have under-5s.
Parks and Outdoor Spaces
Toorak Park on Orrong Road is the main family green space — playgrounds, open grass, cricket and football in season, and off-leash dog areas (with time restrictions). Weekend mornings see the park fill with families from the surrounding streets.
Como Park around Como House offers gardens and paths suitable for prams and small children. The house itself runs family-friendly events during school holidays.
Main Yarra Trail — The riverside path along Toorak’s northern edge is flat, safe, and perfect for family cycling. Kids can ride separated from traffic the entire way to the Botanical Gardens.
The Streets
The residential streets south of Toorak Road — Irving Road, Albany Road, Canterbury Road — are genuinely quiet and safe enough for older children to ride bikes and walk to friends’ houses. The wide footpaths and low traffic volumes create a neighbourhood feel that’s increasingly rare in inner Melbourne.
School-run traffic on Toorak Road and Kooyong Road is the main family annoyance — drop-off and pick-up times are congested, and parking near schools during these windows requires patience.
Housing for Families
Family-sized homes in Toorak are expensive. Freestanding houses with backyards on the grand streets start at $3M and climb steeply. Townhouses are more achievable ($1.5M–$3M) and some newer developments include small gardens.
Families renting typically look at the quieter streets south of Toorak Road. Three-bedroom townhouse rentals run $900–$1,400/week. It’s a lot — but many families judge it worthwhile for the school access and lifestyle.
What Families Love
- Exceptional school access — both private and public
- Quiet residential streets safe for children
- The village has everything within walking distance
- Strong parent community — school networks are active
- Como House events for kids during holidays
What Families Find Tricky
- The cost — everything from housing to school fees is premium
- Parking during school hours is chaotic near Toorak Road
- Limited diversity compared to more multicultural suburbs
- Backyards are smaller than outer suburbs offer
- Weekend dining with young kids can be challenging in the more formal village restaurants
FAQ
What’s the best school in Toorak? Depends on your priorities and budget. Melbourne Grammar and Lauriston are the prestige private options. Toorak Primary is the well-regarded local government school.
Are there playgrounds in Toorak? Yes — Toorak Park on Orrong Road has the main playground. Como Park has open space suitable for younger children.
Is Toorak safe for kids? Very. The residential streets are quiet, the community is engaged, and crime rates are among Melbourne’s lowest. See our Toorak safety guide.
Verdict
Toorak is one of Melbourne’s premier family suburbs — but exclusively at the premium end. The schools are the drawcard, the streets are beautiful and safe, and the community is strong. If your budget stretches to it, the suburb delivers a family lifestyle that few Melbourne addresses can match. If the numbers are tight, consider Hawthorn for a similar school-focused family suburb at a (slightly) lower price point.
More on Toorak:
Nearby suburbs: South Yarra · Hawthorn · Prahran · Richmond
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