mamma loves whitehorse
/ Mamma Erin
Mamma loves the east and how many family friendly treasures that have been found nearby. Whitehorse has plenty of treasures to be found. There are great playgrounds. tasty eats and fun places to go. Here are Mamma’s favourite picks to be found in Whitehorse.
parks and playgrounds
Attention Easties - there’s a new playground in town! Ngarrak Nakorang Wilam Park, the highly anticipated playground next to Vermont Secondary College on Morack Road, is finally open and ready for business.
If there’s one thing this Eastie Mamma is a sucker for, it’s gum trees. Beautifully enclosed by gorgeous, soaring, glorious gums is Holland Road Playground in Burwood East - a quintessential Eastie park.
As the final playground to be built on the Minta Estate in Berwick, the best has certainly been saved for last. So round up the kids, bikes and scooters because Royal Mile Avenue Playground is a must visit.
You know those parks that have plenty of green space so that once the kiddos have exhausted every available option for play on the playground they still have room to roam? Wren Close Playground, affectionately known as “Moo Park”, is one of those parks. And these parks are Mamma’s favourite.
If your little ones love trains and a park play, then look no further than Laburnum Lot Playground. Tucked right next to Laburnum Railway Station and the famed Box Hill to Ringwood Rail Trail, this park is positioned perfectly for loads of fun.
This rustic playground is always a hit with Mamma’s boys. Located within Wurundjeri Walk, you feel like you are in the middle of the bush, not in Blackburn.
Trains are everywhere! Trains on the tracks. Trains in the sheds. Trains in the park! I have a feeling there is a theme going on at the Elgar Park.
The City of Whitehorse have been very busy upgrading some playgrounds and this one looks great.
A NEW colourful playground! A park with this many colours in it, it certainly can’t be boring.
Grovedale Park has been upgraded and looks amazing. With timber structures and green play equipment the play space is definitely blending in with the parks surroundings.
Rivett Cresent Reserve is definitely not the biggest playground we’ve been to, but this little pocket park has everything you need. There is plenty of rope climbing opportunities here, with a spider’s web, rope tunnel and more! It also boasts a pommel walk and climber, 2 different sized slides, swings, balance beams monkey bars and rocker.
Warekila Reserve has been completely updated and was a big hit with Mamma’s little ones. There is plenty to climb and swing from with a fantastic rope climbing net.
Wattle Park is as east as you can get! This much loved patch of greenery in the middle of suburbia is filled with classic memories and it is mostly because of those trams. Making themselves at home in the centre of this urban bush, are two W-class trams. And now with a BRAND NEW PLAYGROUND this is a WONDERFUL space for the whole family.
A sweet little playground has opened on the site of the old Burwood brickworks and quarry, and taking inspiration from the history of the area. There is a slide, rope climbing, swings and lots of green space.
We have another new playground in town….and this one is already a massive hit with the locals! Sitting above Abbey Walk in Vermont, Culbara Drive playground and it is huge for a street playground.
Mamma’s it’s time to go and check out the newest playground in Vermont. With plenty of things to climb and swing from, this playground is perfect for little monkeys.
Blackburn Lake Sanctuary is lucky enough to have not one, but two, pretty cool playgrounds to explore. You’ll find this cool new park tucked half way around the lake.
Nature is the name of the game here at the sanctuary - and so it should be with so much life nestled amongst the greenery.
Chaucer Street has a cute and bright playground and it is a perfect neighbourhood playzone.
The Box Hill Gardens is an incredibly beautiful public space and with the addition of this fancy new playspace, it is certainly the place to be. There are flying foxes, tonnes of things to climb, shiny musical drums, an inbuilt trampoline and spinny things galore
Frederick McCubbin, Tom Roberts and even Arthur Streeton used to come to this area of bush in the late 1800s to camp and paint. Just imagine what it might have been like!
Nature elements, giant gumnuts and wrought iron native friends are all found here at Bushy Creek Reserve.
You get to discover two playspaces for the price of one in this little hidden street park.
It is always special to bring your little ones to the places you spent your childhood growing up. Halliday Park (or holiday park if you lived in our house) is one of those special places, only difference is, now its even better.
eats
Mamma loves a cafe with a kid-friendly menu, toys to occupy the little ones and a quirky interior. Ramsay Gardens in Vermont South certainly ticks all of those boxes!
Mamma doesn’t mind a teeny tiny coffee shop. One that is popped right on the corner, with great big windows that are perfect for tram spotting and car watching, AND it has a great playground located nearby.
Mr Roberston, brother cafe to Eastie sensation Mister and Miss, is a verified hit amongst locals and Mamma can see why. Its all-day menu is as decadent as it is delicious. With trendy takes on breakfast classics, like the pulled-pork benny burger, and a kids’ menu that covers all the bases, this cafe has your next family outing sorted.
Things that Mamma loves: waffles, hot chips and multitasking; and she can indulge in all three at The Joy Parade. This Laburnum gem is both a restaurant and gift shop, meaning Mamma can feed the crew and restock the present cupboard in one fell swoop.
Yes - you saw that right. Mr T has opened his second sandwich shop in Blackburn. It might be little, but is sure is mighty! Bringing all the favourites that we love from the Croydon shop, the tucker is bang on.
Tucked around a corner and in a cute little spot opposite Mitcham train station you will find a cosy little cafe that has had a cool pastel makeover. Oh Hi is a cafe and sandwich shop, specialising in focaccia bread sandos filled with amazing combos
This is an AWESOME spot in the burbs for gathering the entire family together and enjoying a meal. AND it is hidden inside an industrial estate off Rooks Road, Mitcham. Mitcham Social has been transformed into this incredible family friendly restaurant and bar that is welcoming to everyone.
If you’re after a sweet treat that’s as cute as it is delicious, Bath the Sheep is a little gem you’ll want to check out. Tucked away with its adorable decor, this dessert spot dishes up bingsu, gelato, boba tea, waffles, and cakes.
The writing is on the wall - Love Thy Coffee! Mamma has found the right spot! Stranger Coffeehouse and Kitchen is a brand new cafe to open its doors on Whitehorse Road in Balwyn. This isn’t your classic new cafe though - this is a fully restored 100 year old building and it has a new lease on life.
Freshly renovated with a cozy, homely vibe, this spot is a dream for mammas looking for a chill place to relax. There’s loads of space and seating, and a fab big table perfect for catching up with the whole crew at Station Street Cafe in Nunawading.
There is more than just a garden on top of Burwood Brickworks shopping centre. Rombe Rooftop Restaurant (and wedding venue!) is absolutely beautiful. It has farmhouse vibes, filled with lovely natural light and has amazing views of the Dandenong Ranges.
Mamma has been desperate to eat here for way too long! Sometimes all the hype can lead to disappointment but not in this case.
Aunt Billies is a stunning venue brimming with warmth and lush greenery. Offering a Middle Eastern twist on Melbourne’s classic brunch culture, Mamma loves it all!
A good cuppa and a good book go hand in hand so a cafe with books is a great combination.
Churchill Cafe is set amongst the lovely little strip of shops in Mont Albert, and not only is the food here delicious, it is so pretty.
It’s Matilda… just a little bit smaller! Petite is the sister version of our favourite lady, Matilda Mont Albert. Same yummy coffee, incredible food - even the same crew - but this version is all about the ‘to-go’.
In need of a lovely relaxed atmosphere and some good coffee? The Boulevard Food store is just the place. The space has lovely natural light flowing through their big windows, plenty of food store and homeware items to browse through, and a great modern Australian menu.
What a beautiful little cafe hidden in the suburban streets of Vermont. Leeroy (our you may recall it as the The Vermont General Store) is a real gem. Beautiful brunches and lunches are on offer here in this light and airy, old milk bar.
A place like this has Mamma’s name all over it. Eastwood is the latest addition to Mamma’s Whitehorse cafe collection and is a real winner. Using the entire length of the shop, cool new spot is ideal for an outdoor bite to eat, a milkshake under the umbrellas and a laid back lunch with the little ones.
Mamma can’t miss a cafe that is a pretty as a picture. Peach - located right near Orchard Grove in Blackburn South - is a little bitty masterpiece.
Mamma has found a dreamy spot to enjoy a coffee and bite to eat. Daydreamers cafe in Beaconsfield is a great place for brunch, they have many tasty options on offer and also includes a kids menu
Well this place is super fun! Welcome to Zero Mode, an Asia fusion restaurant found under The Chen Melbourne hotel. This popular little spot (yes - book ahead if you want to secure a table) is full of great food experiences.
Hello SUNSHINE! Lil’ Ray is the cutest little cafe that is in the perfect location and with all the things we LOVE
We have found perfection in the form of a cute corner cafe in the beautiful streets of Mont Albert North
For those times you have a sleeping baby in the car OR you can't face bringing them out of the car just to put them straight back in ... DRIVE THRU COFFEE!
places to go
Local Boroondara Mum Lauren has felt this first hand and has created a wonderful space for families to ‘rent a rack’ and sell on these treasures on to the next wave of little ones.
Mamma’s - you have to love a brand new squeaky clean play centre! Check out Mini Town with us. This pastel beauty is an absolute haven for preschoolers, they may not even know where to start! The entire space is filled with play zones catering for a whole range of interests and is bound to entertain the tribe.
Eastsiders! Blackburn has just unveiled a newly built play space and cafe that is open all week with great trading hours! This visually stunning venue boasts a variety of play zones perfect for toddlers and children up to 12
Mamma and the crew HAVE to share their new favourite activity - ROCK CLIMBING! Urban Climb is a stage of the art, indoor rock climbing and bouldering facility in Blackburn that will blow you away.
The Jefferies family has grown! You’ll know the original in Croydon Hill’s McAdam Square, but let Mamma introduce you to the new store in a brand new location - in Blackburn.
An indoor playcentre in a shopping centre is always going to be a winner - let alone one that has a massive jungle themed climbing structure, a ball pit, mega fast racing slides AND a pirate ship.
Enter Erin - the owner and hero of junior literature - of The Kids Bookshop in Mitcham. This local mum and librarian knows her stuff about the world of children’s books and has a knack of helping matching wonderful stories for the kids that visit the cutest little bookshop in Britannia Mall.
NewHope PlaySpace in Blackburn North is a toddler Mamma’s dream come true. There’s cars, there’s ramps to drive down, bubbles, soft play equipment, stepping stones, walkers, a construction corner, lego, dress ups, balls and LOTS more. There is a cafe next door serving up coffee, breakfast, lunch and a great kids menu.
The House of Books - the name pretty much tells you all you need to know! It is a house that is filled to the brim with books. This beautiful little cottage found on Whitehorse Road, Mitcham, is the home to hundreds … possibly thousands … of great quality, second hand books.
Nature is the name of the game here at the sanctuary - and so it should be with so much life nestled amongst the greenery. Two playgrounds, beautiful trails and it’s own mascot - Blackburn Lake is treasure of the east.
Now you might have a trampoline in the backyard, but nothing can really compare to having an entire factory space filled with trampolines. Bounce Inc in Blackburn is exactly that. A bouncy wonderland!
Let’s head to the pool. Sometimes you simply forget how much kids love the water. All that splashing, kicking and blowing countless bubbles, they just lap it up! Aqualink in Nunawading provides plenty of shallow space to do just that.
The library is the ideal spot to go with your littlest ones. It is indoor and dry, there is normally a heap of space to spread out, and of course, hundreds of books to explore.
There is something special about wandering into a warehouse in the industrial area and opening the doors to an incredible space that is all about the coffee. Manta Ray Coffee Roasters blows this Mamma away. The space is part roastery, part cafe and part showroom