Tree-lined streets, urban parks and a lively café strip make Bayswater one of the top family-friendly neighbourhoods in East Melbourne. Shop, dine and play in the town centre, day trip into the Melbourne CBD or head east to Yarra Ranges National Park, where you’ll find lush rainforest trails and scenic picnic spots.
Things to do in Bayswater
Bayswater is the perfect place to relax, slow down the pace and enjoy Melbourne through a local lens. People from across the city flock to the local patisserie for French-style croissants, cakes and coffee. A handful of thrift stores make Bayswater a rewarding destination for pre-loved clothing and other treasures.
Just opposite the train station is Marie Wallace Bayswater Park, home to one of the best nature playgrounds in Melbourne. The park is anchored by a full-size red steam engine complete with a miniature ticket booth. Rope bridges, slides and a wooden fort are just some of the highlights of the playground.
Bayswater is set in the foothills of the Yarra Ranges, a picturesque enclave covered with temperate rainforest. The mountainous region is a beloved outdoor playground for Melburnians, with scenic hiking trails leading to lush gullies, crystalline streams and groves of soaring Mountain Ash trees. Head up to the Mount Donna Buan lookout for spectacular views over the Yarra Ranges.
Craving a little excitement? Excellent public transport links make Bayswater a great base for sightseeing in the Melbourne CBD. Soak in the lively café culture along Chapel Street, admire Australian masterpieces at the National Gallery of Victoria and get lost in the enchanting Royal Botanic Gardens.
Getting around Bayswater
The Bayswater town centre is compact and pedestrian-friendly, with parking available along the street and outside shops. Trains run between Bayswater Station and the Melbourne CBD in around one hour. Melbourne Airport is a 45-minute drive away.