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Lace up, warm up, and get ready to run. Melbourne is one of the most beautiful parkland cities in Australia, and as such, it boasts a plethora of great parkruns for all levels.
If you’ve been wondering where to find the best parkrun in Melbourne, this guide breaks down some of the most scenic and accessible spots.
All organised parkruns are totally free (be sure to register online first), and all take place on Saturdays at 8am.
We’ll look at terrain, parking, café options for your post-run reward (arguably the best part, right?), and a few extra spots that have prime walking and running trails.
Albert Park Lake
- Distance from CBD: 3km, easy access via tram or car
- Terrain: Flat 4.8km loop around the lake
- Parking: Ample paid parking in and around the park, but spaces fill quickly on weekends
- Cafés nearby: Nine Yards, Sir Albert Café, For Change Café, Lavender Café & Bakery
Perhaps the most iconic of the Melbourne parkruns, Albert Park Lake offers a mostly flat, scenic circuit with views of both the water and the city skyline. You’ll run sections of the Formula 1 track, which is a fun novelty, and the wide path makes it beginner-friendly.
The organised Albert Park Lake parkrun takes place every Saturday morning at 8am. It’s totally free (just make sure you register so they know you’re coming) and caters to all fitness levels. Afterwards, many runners will grab a coffee at the nearby Nine Yards café (which kindly reserves seats for parkrunners) or Sir Albert Café (which offers a 10% discount to parkrunners every Saturday).
With plenty of paid parking and tram access, it’s one of the easiest Melbourne parkrun spots for locals and visitors alike. If you can’t get a spot in the two main Aughtie Drive parking lots, try the Ace Parking garage or Wilson Parking garage just outside the park.
Post-run, reward yourself with brunch at one of the many cafés dotted in and around the park, or take a stroll through the fabulous South Melbourne Market.
St Kilda Foreshore Trail
Keen for a beach day after your run? The spectacular St Kilda beach and entertainment precinct is close to Albert Park, and it’s packed full of fabulous restaurants, cafés, markets, theatres, and of course, the iconic Luna Park.
Once you’ve finished the Albert Park parkrun Melbourne, walk down to the Port Melbourne Beach foreshore (just 10 minutes away by foot). This marks the start of the St Kilda Foreshore Trail, a 6km seaside path that stretches down to Elwood and has plenty of great cafés and beachside activities to enjoy along the way.
Parkville (Princes Park)
- Distance from CBD: 4km north, close to Melbourne University
- Terrain: Flat 5km circuit with a mix of compact gravel and bitumen surfaces
- Parking: Street parking in Carlton North, but public transport may be easier for this location
- Cafés nearby: Naughty Boy Café, Hap Café, Crafted Culture, Lygon Street restaurant and café precinct
Located in Carlton North, Princes Park is a classic inner-city running spot with some of the most beautiful scenery on offer. Officially named the Parkville parkrun, its flat paths and tranquil lake make it a relaxed and social parkrun location.
The Parkville run is particularly community focused, with an emphasis on accessibility, volunteering, and ensuring all ages and fitness levels are more than welcome.
There are designated off-leash dog parks on site for furry companions to have a run, and the playground and BBQ area are perfect for a relaxed weekend with the kids.
Cafés line the edges of the park, with plenty of parkrunners flocking to grab a cappuccino and smashed avo toast after the 5km loop. Check out Naughty Boy Café for spectacular smoothies and cold drinks, Hap Café for melt-in-your-mouth pastries, or Crafted Culture for perfectly crisped toasties.
Brunswick’s famous Lygon Street is also a 15-minute walk from the parkrun start and finish area. As one of Melbourne’s most renowned food and coffee districts (particularly when it comes to Brunswick bakeries), it’s well worth a stroll after the parkrun to refuel and indulge in a treat or two.
Royal Park
Royal Park is another sprawling, leafy escape directly opposite Princes Park and right on the city’s edge. While there are no official parkruns here, the scenic walking trail is a hotspot for casual walkers and avid joggers alike.
The track meanders through tree-lined paths with a couple of gentle hills to keep things interesting. It’s also home to the iconic Melbourne Zoo and houses a fantastic nature park playground, making it one of the best choices for a day out in Melbourne with the family.
Coburg Parkrun
- Distance from CBD: 10km north, just past Brunswick
- Terrain: Flat paths and boardwalks
- Parking: Free parking next to the reserve and free on-street parking in nearby streets
- Cafés nearby: The Boot Factory, The Eastern Bloc, Cobrick Coffee, O’Hey Café
Just a short drive or tram ride from Rambla @ Solarino House is Coburg Lake Reserve, a beautifully kept natural oasis on the outskirts of the city. The lush parklands have everything from wide walking paths and perfect lakeside picnic spots to fabulous kids’ playgrounds and undercover BBQ and seating areas.
It’s one of the most picturesque and relaxing parkrun Melbourne locations, with large trees, native flora, and plenty of curious critters who make the lake their hangout.
The Coburn parkrun course is a flat lap from the children’s play park to the other side of the lake and back, allowing runners to enjoy all the best parts of Coburg Lake Reserve as they go. It’s perfect for both avid runners and those who prefer a slower pace on a Saturday morning.
Getting there is easy, with a free car park right next to the reserve at Lake Grove and on-street spots available if you’re lucky. Batman train station is also just 500m away, and the route 19 tram stops just 300m from the park.
After your run, join the other Coburn parkrun participants for coffee and breakfast at The Boot Factory. Other local favourites nearby include The Eastern Bloc, Cobrick Coffee and O’Hey Café.
Kirkdale Reserve
- Distance from CBD: 6km north in Brunswick East (right near Rambla!)
- Terrain: Flat concrete paths, timber bridges and boardwalks
- Parking: Street and carpark options nearby, but public transport is likely easier
- Cafés nearby: Merri Café, Bellboy Café, Toledo Brunswick, Lygon Street precinct
For something a little more suburban and community-focused, head to the Kirkdale Reserve parkrun. Tucked away in the northern suburbs, this 5km course winds through leafy parklands and groovy Brunswick streets, making it a friendly, low-key option if you’re looking for a relaxed vibe compared to the bigger inner-city runs.
The course itself is mostly flat, and all on either concrete paths or timber bridges and boardwalks. It’s approachable for beginners but still satisfying if you’re chasing a personal best.
Parking is available around the reserve, though it can fill up quickly on Saturday mornings. A great tip is to arrive a little early to snag a spot. Or, if you’re staying at Rambla @ Solarino House, it’s just a 10-minute drive or a quick 14-minute bus-and-walk combo, so you don’t have to stress about parking at all.
Post-run, you’ll find some charming local cafés that are perfect for a coffee and refuel. Brunswick is one of the best foodie suburbs in the city, with stacks of great restaurants and cafés all over. Parkrunners tend to flock to Merri Café, but you’ll also find gems like Bellboy Café, Toledo Brunswick, and all of Lygon Street nearby.
Cyril Curtain Reserve (Williamstown)
- Distance from CBD: 15km southwest in Williamstown
- Terrain: Flat foreshore paths
- Parking: Street and carpark options nearby
- Cafés nearby: Hug-a-Mug Café, Fifi’s By the Beach, Tick Tock, Nelson Place precinct
Looking for parkrun Melbourne locations a little further out from the city? Get your fill of fresh air and sea breeze in tranquil Williamstown, accessible via public transport with the Williamstown trail station just a 10-minute walk away.
Perched right on the coast next to Williamstown Beach, the Cyril Curtain Reserve parkrun gives you bay breezes, historic buildings and sea views as you cruise along its flat foreshore paths. The course is accessible for runners of all levels and has the added bonus of being near the ferry terminal, making it a fun option for visitors.
Post-run coffees and breakfasts are popular at Hug-a-Mug Café and Fifi's By the Beach, but you’re spoiled for choice in this bayside area. Buoy & Bean is perfect for a takeaway coffee and snack, Tick Tock has plenty of al fresco seating and great food, and plenty of cafés clustered around Nelson Place.
After your run, continue the day bayside with a wander through the Point Gellibrand Rockpools, Point Gellibrand Lookout (a great photo op destination), and Fort Gellibrand Playground for the little ones to play on.
Darebin Park
- Distance from CBD: 16km north, easy drive up Plenty Road
- Terrain: Flat with a relaxed countryside feel
- Parking: Plenty of carparks available and a tram stop just outside the park
- Cafés nearby: Red Door Café, Summerhill Shopping Centre food outlets
In Melbourne’s northern suburbs, the Darebin parkrun offers a breath of country-feel air for those in need of a city break. The course winds through the C T Barling Reserve, a sprawling parkland with a distinct country feel and a beautiful golf course.
You shouldn’t have trouble with on-street parking, but there’s also a parking lot at the nearby Summerhill Shopping Centre. Alternatively, a tram stops just outside the park, which runs all the way from the CBD.
Regular runners make a post-parkrun pitstop at Red Door Café in Kingsbury (aptly named for its distinctive bright red door), which serves hearty breakfasts and brunches perfect for a post-parkrun feed. Summerhill Shopping Centre also has convenient eateries, with a bakery/café, burger bar, sushi station and more.
Bundoora Park Farm
Want to extend your weekend before heading back to the city? Head over to Bundoora Park Farm, just a 10-minute drive north of the parkrun trail.
Spend the morning saying hello to the goats, cows and chooks, then wander through the Heritage Village to get a feel for what life in the past was really like.
With picnic spots, play areas and a cosy café on-site, it’s an easy day out for families after the nearby parkrun.
Westerfolds Park
- Distance from CBD: 20km northeast in Templestowe
- Terrain: Riverside trails, moderately challenging with bushland hills
- Parking: Westerfolds Park Carpark 5 is the closest parking lot, right inside the park itself
- Cafés nearby: Carlucci’s, Melissa Cakes Café Bar, Templestowe Hotel
If you’re after a parkrun in Melbourne that feels a little wilder, the Westerfolds parkrun in Templestowe is the one to try. This huge 120-hectare parkland is part of an Aboriginal cultural landscape belonging to the Wurundjeri Peoples, who maintain a deep connection to the lands and waters here.
The 5km course takes you along sections of the Main Yarra Trail, weaving through grassy woodlands filled with ancient River Red Gums and Manna Gums. It’s a moderately challenging run with a mix of gentle hills and flat stretches, offering a nice balance for runners looking to push themselves without it being too gruelling.
Keep your eyes peeled as kangaroos often graze in the open areas at sunrise, and quieter runners might even spot wombats or echidnas.
Join the other runners for a post-parkrun coffee and breakfast at Carlucci’s, let the kids play at Wombat Bend Playground, or pack some food to enjoy at the scenic Westerfolds Ridge Picnic Area.
Stay Close to the Best Parkruns in Melbourne
Melbourne’s parkrun scene has something for every kind of runner, and when you stay with us at Rambla, you don’t need to trek far to experience them all.
Rambla @ Solarino House in Brunswick is the perfect base to access the best Melbourne parkruns. Our serviced apartments are stylish, comfortable, and just a short drive or tram ride from many of Melbourne’s best parkrun locations.
After your Saturday 5k, come back to unwind in your fully serviced apartment, grab a coffee from a local Brunswick café, and plan which course you’ll conquer next weekend.
Check out our current offers to plan your next adventure.
