If you’re after a fully fenced, all-ages playground just around the corner from Chadstone Shopping Centre, Markham Reserve Playground in Ashburton is one of the best in Melbourne’s east. It’s big enough to fill a whole afternoon, varied enough for toddlers through to tweens, and close enough to a train station that you don’t need a car to get there.
We spent an entire afternoon here recently — what was meant to be a “quick play” after the kids finished their homework turned into hours, and they still didn’t want to leave.
Quick Facts
| Address | 75 Victory Boulevard, Ashburton VIC 3147 |
| Opening hours | 8am–6pm (April–October), 8am–8:30pm (November–March) |
| Cost | Free |
| Parking | Free street/angle parking on Victory Boulevard and Markham Avenue |
| Nearest station | Alamein Station — approx. 7-minute walk (550m) |
| Fenced | Yes, fully fenced |
| Toilets | Yes, public toilet on-site |
| Shade | Partial — some shaded seating, limited shade over equipment |
| Good for | All ages, from babies to tweens |
Getting There
Markham Reserve Playground sits at 75 Victory Boulevard, Ashburton, tucked into a residential pocket just off Warrigal Road and only a few minutes’ drive from Chadstone Shopping Centre, making it an easy add-on to a shopping trip.
If you’re taking public transport, it’s roughly a 7-minute walk (550m) from Alamein Station — head down Alamein Avenue and turn right onto Victory Boulevard. Free angle parking is available on both Victory Boulevard and Markham Avenue if you’re driving, though it can fill up on weekends.
What’s at the Playground
The centrepiece is a long timber bridge structure running through the middle of the playground, with slides, rope ladders, a fireman’s pole and climbing nets branching off it — this is where most kids head first, and where we lost our two for a good hour.
Around it, you’ll find:
- Multi-level rope and climbing nets, including a large web-style net for older kids
- A flying fox, consistently the most requested feature by kids we spoke to on-site
- A family-sized seesaw
- Monkey bars and a set of horizontal climbing rungs
- A rotating flower spinner feature
- A shaded sandpit with a mechanical digger, plus carved wooden kookaburra sculptures kids love climbing on (and parents love for photos)
- Swings for all ages, including a harness swing for babies and toddlers
- A small basketball half-court and skate/BMX area with ramps, tucked at the back — good for older siblings while little ones play
The whole area is fully fenced, so younger kids can explore independently while you keep an eye on the single entry/exit point.
Facilities and Amenities
There’s a public toilet on-site, along with picnic tables and shelters scattered around the grounds — handy if you’re staying for a picnic lunch. Water taps are available for topping up bottles or washing sandy hands. Whether the BBQs are available directly at the playground or in the wider reserve is worth confirming locally — bring a portable one as backup if you’re planning to cook.
Beyond the fenced play area, there’s a large grassy expanse ideal for a picnic rug or a kick of the footy, plus walking and bike paths that connect to the Gardiners Creek Trail — a nice option if the kids want to scooter or ride before or after playing.
Nearby Cafes and Food
Habitat Café is a popular pick with locals for a coffee within easy reach of the playground, and given the reserve’s proximity to Chadstone Shopping Centre, there’s no shortage of food options if you want to make a full day of it.
Tips for Visiting
- Go on a weekday morning if you want the equipment to yourself — weekends get busy, especially with the skate park drawing older kids
- Bring a picnic rug for the grassy area rather than relying on the (limited) shaded seating
- Pack sand toys — the sandpit and digger will occupy younger kids for a long time
- Sunscreen is essential — shade over the main equipment is limited, so cover up in summer
- Combine it with Chadstone — it’s an easy way to burn off energy before or after a shopping trip
Looking for more playgrounds like this one?
If Markham Reserve becomes a regular for you, it’s worth checking out Eltham North Adventure Playground for a covered, all-weather option, or Ferntree Gully Quarry Recreation Reserve Playground if you’re heading further east. You can also browse our full list of Melbourne playgrounds, or check Victorian school holiday dates for 2026 to plan your next visit around the break.
Yes, entry and use of all playground equipment is free.
Yes, the main play area is fully fenced with a single entry point, making it easier to keep track of children as they play.
Yes, free angle parking is available on both Victory Boulevard and Markham Avenue, directly opposite the playground.
The reserve is open from 8am to 6pm during April to October, and 8am to 8:30pm from November to March.
Yes. There’s a dedicated shaded sandpit area with a mechanical digger and a harness swing suitable for babies and toddlers, separate from the larger climbing equipment aimed at older kids.
Yes, there is a public toilet on-site near the playground.
It’s about a 7-minute walk (550m) from Alamein Station — walk down Alamein Avenue and turn right onto Victory Boulevard.