mamma loves boroondara
/ Mamma Erin
Mamma loves exploring all the different spots and variety of fun stuff found in Boroondara. Great parks, beautiful parklands and some of the BEST coffee! Here are Mamma’s favourite things around Boroondara.
parks and playgrounds
There ain’t nothing sweeter than a little street park that pays respect to its little page in history? The Warburton Road Reserve playground is located right next door to The Sullivan House.
Hear ye! Hear ye! Mary MacKillop Reserve in Surrey Hills has had a facelift, and she’s looking pretty. Keeping the castle theme from the previous, much-loved playground, this revamped park incorporates lots of fun features making it a must-visit with your little ones.
Mamma’s little ones have developed an finely curated playground wishlist over the years. It includes: a cafe play area; giant tunnel slide; the coveted face-to-face expression swing; room to ride a bike; close proximity to hot chippies. Well, Winton Road Reserve in Ashburton delivers all of these and more, in spades!
Hey Mamma, do you know playground with city views and in walking distance to hot coffee? Mamma sure does! Kellet Reserve in Kew is a great street playground with a variety of play options, suiting a bunch of ages.
If its adventure they want, ADVENTURE they get. This fantastic adventure playground in East Kew caters for everyone, of all ages and capabilities.
You can’t beat a park with a helicopter. Or petrol pump. Or a tram! Lucky for this spot, it’s got all three. Foley Reserve in Kew is one of the most adorable play spaces in the east.
H.A. Smith Reserve is home to a sweet little pocket playground. It’s got all the essentials: swings, slides, and for those wanting to get into the drivers seat, there’s a play car with double steering wheels too.
When simple is all you need - the street park is your go to spot. Bowen Gardens Playground is a double park - one section more for the toddlers and the other for the bigger ones. It has all that you need for a mid morning or afternoon park stop.
Yarra Bank Reserve - not surprisingly - is located right on the banks of the Yarra River in Hawthorn and the playground features the largest and shiniest canoe in the east. Great nature play and musical elements.
5 4 3 2....FUN! It's easy to see why this playground is an absolute winner and with a new facelift and a lot of restoration, the Rocket Park is bound to stay in the memories of Boroondara families for years to come.
Great playground in Boroondara with good amounts of shade and fantastic city views in Hawthorn.
Oh boy! There is so many options to be had at Balwyn Park. This recreation space has a bit of everything and for almost every age!
Boroondara Park is full of wheels, tooting and flying. The transport themed playground is a great play space with lots of corners and colours to explore.
Mamma loves a playground where both kids find things to love. The 3 year old loves playing shop and the 6 year old loves to climb.
Rathmines Road Reserve is a bit of a pick and mix when it comes to playground design, making this spot great for a range of ages.
If Mamma has some things on the list that make a park great - it’s toilets and shade. If this guy had a list - a CAR would be at the top.
Beckett Park is set in the most beautiful of leafy suburbs with a tower ready for a knight to climb and rescue his princess.
Seems the knights went into hiding during lockdown and a DRAGON has escaped, making its way to a brand NEW castle at Highfield Park in Camberwell.
It’s a double park - that mean two big thumbs up! Canterbury Sports Ground boast not one, but two wonderful playgrounds ready for the entire family to enjoy.
Attention kids of Boroondara! The highly anticipated Ferndale Park is NOW OPEN. This is a brilliant upgrade to the local playground and now has a resident ogre that is watching over all the action.
Overlooking the Yarra River in Hawthorn, Fairveiw Park has a great fenced playground right at its centre. It is your classic play space with all your family favourites.
The locals LOVE this park. The cutest little pocket of community heart is found in one of the most unlikely places - the back corner of the Kew Junction carpark. No need to worry though, the reserve is fully fenced! Double win!
eats
Calling all chocolate lovers! This cafe’s for you. Xocolatl on Canterbury’s Maling Road is a sweet tooth’s delight, with a deliciously decadent menu certain to satisfy any chocoholic.
Put on your bow tie and meet Mamma at Mr Burton in Ashburton for waffles, toasties and good vibes!
You know those cafes that embrace the chaos of motherhood? With staff who not only tolerate the mayhem of tiny humans, but encourage it, saying: “it’s just so nice to see them having a wonderful time”? Willo Cafe in Kew is one of those cafes, making it the perfect place for a Mamma catchup.
Tucked in the side street of Kew, not far from Cotham Rd, you’ll find Arthur. Well, technically, you’ll find his milkbar. This converted corner store is going to be your new favourite spot for coffee dates with friends, a weekend brunch or even swing past for a take away before heading to the park.
Mamma has officially entered in her sandwich era and Melbourne is doing its BEST in delivering the goods. Barry’s Garage in Kew is now open, serving brilliant sandwiches, coffees, hot dogs (yup - old school) and sweet treats.
If you’re after a yum cha experience without the usual hustle and bustle, Chef Wong in Hawthorn East is where it’s at! This place has such a trendy, relaxed, and welcoming vibe that makes it perfect for a family outing.
Piccolo Panini Bar is awesome. The menu is short but the flavours are incredible. Serving size is generous and the banter happening behind the bar itself, is non stop!
If you’re in Hawthorn and looking for a yummy feed, in a charming, cozy atmosphere - don’t look past Porgies. It’s homely and warm AND deceivingly spacious inside, with multiple rooms, ample space for high chairs and prams and a massive outdoor area.
We LOVE finding sweet treats that are a little more special than usual. Kōri Ice Cream on Glenferrie Road in Hawthorn fits this one to a tee! The ice cream here is Japanese inspired but imagined and created right here in Melbourne.
This long standing local gem has undergone a serious glow up! The Auburn Hotel has renovated the old motor garage next door, turning the space into a delightful atrium style Pavilion and adjoining beer garden. And they’ve really ticked the family-friendly box with a multi-level playground so parents can sit back and enjoy a sunny afternoon while the kiddos run wild.
It’s a classic eastie destination and it’s BACK! Studley Park Boathouse is THE place to be this spring and there a multiple ways you can enjoy this revamped and reimagined space.
Kokoro in Camberwell is a sushi train that delivers your order via train. This beautiful dining experience is a real treat for the whole family, specially if they are fans of hand rolls, sashimi and udon!
Did someone say bagels? Did the mention gourmet sandwiches? Do we get a hint of amazing coffee? Yes, yes and YES. All can be found in this super cool cafe in Hawthorn. Whip Lash keep it simple, suppling the locals with a brief but oh-my-goodness delicious cafe menu.
Give Mamma a retro cafe everyday of the week! Gillberts in Kew is a stunning place to grab some breakfast or lunch, an ice cold drink and watch the High Street traffic fly by.
Mamma loves going to Lulabelle’s. It is the perfect spot for coffee with friends….want to know why? It’s super kid friendly! You’ll realize this as soon as you get there by the big teddy bears sitting outside waving to the cars.
Did we just find the smallest coffee shop in Melbourne’s east? The old Briquettes shop on the Harp Rd intersection in Kew has been revitalised and is the most adorable coffee shop that Mamma has ever visited.
A family friendly pub in the heart of Kew Junction and a winner with the kids and adults alike!
Feel like traveling back in time a little. To the days when you saved all your pocket money to splurge on lollies at the milk bar? Or maybe when you were sent down to the shop for a can of fizzy drink? Well you can do this PLUS enjoy a beautiful meal at Milkboy on Fordham’s.
One of the latest cafes to open in Balwyn has Mamma’s name ALL OVER IT! You have to check out East and Co.
It’s the age old question. Which came first. The chicken or the egg? All we know is that COFFEE is what needs to come first!
Be prepared to be blown you away when you arrive at The Baker's Wife. The size, decor and the food options are amazing. Mamma challenges you NOT to leave without grabbing a doughnut on the way out.
places to go
There are some suburban libraries that have an undefinable sense of magic about them - spaces that spark joy and wonder, but you can’t quite pinpoint why. Camberwell Library is one of those places.
Dancing Dandelion is one of Mamma’s favourite play cafes in town! This play area has everything to help your little one's imagination run wild! There are amazing play stations everywhere you look. Most of them are wooden and handmade, and all of them are ADORABLE.
The Melbourne Tram Museum in Hawthorn is back open to the public after a closure period to refurbish these vintage beauties, and let Mamma tell you, these trams are looking spectacular!
There’s just something about a library on a slower morning. Cozying up with your little ones and a book, getting absorbed in a world of imagination and wonder, Mamma thinks there’s no better place for that than Ashburton Library.
Unleash the ninja warriors and fly like a bird at Bounce in Glen Iris; the bounciest place in the East!
A soft play space where Mamma’s little ones can jump, climb, swing and roam? Sign Mamma up to a casual play session at PlayGym @ Boroondara Sports Complex in Balwyn North!
Do you know what’s better than an awesome restaurant? No, it’s not just an awesome restaurant with a playground. It’s an awesome restaurant with a playground AND a dedicated kids’ program to entertain the little ones while Mamma waits for her fries in peace. That’s what you’ll find every Sunday at Studley Park Boathouse in Kew.
A children’s book opens and Mamma comes running! Well not quite, but she’ll certainly sniff out a great children’s book STORE! Escape Hatch Books is a haven for book lovers with room for story times and play.
Oh bless Mamma’s nostalgic, elder-millennial heart. The National Communication Museum is like taking a stroll down memory lane and we can’t get enough of it!
Mamma’s SO excited to share a new play café! Opening this August in Kew, this is one you won't want to miss! Scandi-inspired play area with themed zones is perfect for every child’s imagination.
We are lucky in the east to have a number of big screen options to choose from, including Lido in Hawthorn. These movie theatres are great because there are heaps of screens meaning there are lots of options. They show some blockbusters AND some real little indy treasures.
Mamma has never seen a classic cinema so beautiful or so iconically EAST as the Rivoli Cinemas. Located in the heart of Camberwell Junction (you know the spot - with traffic heading in 6 different directions), this stunning multiplex is full of 1940s charm.
Now this is one fancy cinema. The Palace Cinema in Balwyn is a classic old school cinema, complete with all the trimmings
Welcome BACK to Billy Lids! Hawthorn is the home to a house of play - or should I say a massive hall of play!
Maranoa gardens is the most peaceful maze of walking tracks and display of Australian fauna.
As soon as your kids show an interest in bikes or scooters get them booked in for a session at the famous institution that is the Kew Traffic School.
Let’s get outside, explore the gardens, hug a tree and collect a great big bunch of acorns. Canterbury Gardens is THE spot to do just this.
Shop small. Shop Local. The Village is a pretty vibrant spot with everything that a community shopping strip could ever need. From the drycleaners, barbers, beauticians and florists. The whole retail community is warm and welcoming.
Mamma wished her gardens looked this great. A particularly great effort considering they have been here for over 100 years! These magnificent gardens are the centrepiece of town and a magical oasis to the hustle and bustle of busy Kew Junction, just a stones throw away.
It’s been a long time in the making but it is HERE … the NEW Victoria Park in Kew is OPEN and the Boroondara locals have already given it a massive thumbs up!