
At the heart of the suburb is Yarra Bend Park, the largest area of natural bushland near Melbourne. With wild rivers, open woodlands, and an abundance of native wildlife, it provides picturesque picnic spots, numerous cycling and walking tracks, and a beautiful backdrop to everyday life. It’s also home to the historic Studley Park Boathouse; the oldest operating boathouse in Australia. It’s the perfect place to spend a day boating, with a welcoming cafe providing a generous breakfast menu, and a Kiosk offering lighter fare.

As one of Melbourne’s oldest suburbs, it’s unsurprising that its eateries reflect its proud heritage. All day diner Dawson is housed in Kew’s 138-year-old post office building, and its name comes from the whitewoods store that traded there for more than 60 years. However, that’s almost all that’s left of the old, as the restaurant boasts an undeniably modern flair. An exciting menu will quickly make this your regular, from the nourishing broccoli pizza to the chicken and pork paella for two. The desserts are where Dawson really shines, such as the warm chocolate brownie with caramelised popcorn and ice-cream. It’s truly as good as it sounds.
One of Kew’s biggest draw cards is its majestic mansions that lounge on equally impressive streets. You’ll fall in love with its well-preserved Edwardian, Art Deco and Victorian homes, and gorgeous designer apartments are also available for those looking for something more intimate. Countless properties enjoy stunning Yarra views as they gaze out over the treetops, providing a feeling that you’re in another world – rather than conveniently close to Melbourne’s urban life.
