Top Things to do in Toorak
10 Things to Do in Toorak That You Shouldn't Miss
Discover the best top things to do in Toorak, Australia including St John's Anglican Church, The Swedish Church, Toorak Uniting Church, Rockley Gardens, PhonKlai Massage, St Peter's Catholic Church Toorak, MacRobertson Bridge, Winifred Crescent Reserve, Langi Flats, Trak Lounge Bar.
Restaurants in Toorak
1. St John's Anglican Church
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 7 reviews
Reviewed By Jeffry B - Melbourne, Australia
Most Melbourne brides would love to be married in St John's Anglican Church,Toorak. It is a church of outstanding beauty, as befits Melbourne's premier residential suburb. The interior of St John's is quite beautiful, with glass rarely seen in suburban churches. The church is usually open for inspection, or quiet reflection. .
2. The Swedish Church
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 7 reviews
Reviewed By Alys-Schatzi - Melbourne, Australia
Toorak House is a significant historic building. It is a mansion built in 1849 in the Italianate Victorian style. For some decades in the 19th century it served as Government House for the state of Victoria.
These days Toorak House serves as the site of the Swedish church in Melbourne. It also houses a Swedish community centre and the Swedish Consulate.
There are church services open to the public, held in a church/chapel area featuring timberwork. And you can inquire by phone about other Swedish gatherings happening here.
Late each year the House and its grounds are the venue for a big pre-Christmas bazaar with high-quality items on sale and excellent raffle prizes. Attendance is always large. You may find parking on the street, but if possible travel by tram (the number 8 from the city stops on Toorak Road not far from where St Georges Road begins).
3. Toorak Uniting Church
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 4 reviews
Reviewed By Alys-Schatzi - Melbourne, Australia
This church is worthwhile visiting for a number of reasons, including: its architecture, its pipe organ, and the Exhibitions in its arts centre. Presbyterians from Scotland and Northern Ireland background built houses in the suburbs of Toorak and Malvern as they prospered in the second half of the 19th century. The Presbyterian church in Toorak was established in 1875, with its handsome stone church building (now the Toorak Uniting Church) opened in 1876. The architect was the prominent Joseph Reed. The church's spire was completed in 1878. Toorak Uniting is a big broad church (there were extensions in 1889 and more modifications during the 20th century) with nice timberwork and stained glass. The pipe organ is used for special recitals once in a while as well as for regular worship services. Services also feature a choir and, sometimes, a hand bell choir.
Behind the church building you'll find another old building. It is called Kinross House these days. It used to be the manse (clergyman's residence) and is now used as an arts centre. There is a program of Exhibitions, the artists who rent studios in the building sometimes host events, and there are also occasional poetry readings. The building also contains a café, the Manse Café.
Over the years I've been to a few exhibitions: of paintings, jewellery etc. Each year I watch out for the exhibition by icon painters. Sometimes the exhibition has been so large that it has filled the church. There are several schools of icon painting in Melbourne, and the Uniting Church has connections with some of the groups who are active in this activity where artistry and spirituality overlap. Most work I've seen has been in the Byzantine tradition, but you may be lucky enough to see work drawing on other traditions e.g. Ethiopian.
Overall Ratings
4 based on 6 reviews
Reviewed By Victorianlad - Melbourne, Australia
This small park is in a highly urbanised area. Rockley Road is part of one of Melbourne's most expensive suburbs and during the very late 1960s to late 1970s had many apartment blocks built.
The park is super green and has reasonable tree cover although my preference is for natives given that eucalypts and other such Australian trees and shrubs attract native birds such as silvereyes.
A tram stop is nearby (route 8 Moreland - Melbourne University - Toorak.)
5. PhonKlai Massage
Overall Ratings
5 based on 2 reviews
Reviewed By Chocolateswirlz
Great strong Thai massage with stretching, probably not suited to people who like softer massages. Slightly cheaper than average, nice clean decor
6. St Peter's Catholic Church Toorak
Overall Ratings
4 based on 4 reviews
Reviewed By Alys-Schatzi - Melbourne, Australia
Construction of Toorak's Catholic church began in 1876. It's a large bluestone and sandstone structure fronting Toorak Road not far from the Anglican and Uniting churches. The interior offers attractive stained glass windows, timberwork etc. This is a popular church with photographers and wedding groups, and the regular congregation is sizeable. To the far side of the grounds, between the church land and the next-door block of flats, you'll see a row of conifers. These trees are old and are protected; they used to border the driveway to Toorak House, an important property in 19th-century Melbourne history.
Between the church and these trees there used to be a house built soon after 1900, with tennis courts behind it; the church was a former presbytery. In April 2016 the house was demolished and construction of a block of retirement apartments began. Proceeds from sale of the (leasehold) apartments are contributing to the cost of repairing and restoring the church. The area between the apartments and the church is to be landscaped, with paving, trees and Gardens. Until this is finished the usually spacious outdoor area around St Peter's is constricted.
Tram 8 from the city stops close to St Peter's. Parking spaces are few so avoid driving there if possible.
7. MacRobertson Bridge
Overall Ratings
3.5 based on 3 reviews
Reviewed By JohnG3121 - Greater Melbourne, Australia
This is a bridge that is best enjoyed from below on the Yarra trail on the Toorak side. Can be a real shocking bottle neck during peak hour. Fascinating story behind bridge. It was built in 1934 to celebrate the centenary of Victoria. The bridge is named after the man who financed construction as a gift to state- Sir Macpherson Robertson. He made his fortune as the owner of Macpherson confectionary which bought Freddo frogs and cherry ripes to the grateful people of the world. His company was later bought by Cadbury. He also financed the Antarctic expedition of Mawson and donated a large sum towards establishment of Mac Roberstons Girls High School. At the time the bridge was one of only Bridges to use welded steel trusses.
8. Winifred Crescent Reserve
Overall Ratings
3.5 based on 4 reviews
Reviewed By Jeffry B - Melbourne, Australia
Winifred Crescent Reserve is on the banks of the Yarra River, the river that famous once "flowed upside down." It';s a ;lot beter now. The Winifred Crescent Reserve is a grassy riverfront park. It has some rather elderly play equipment. Best way to find it is to go down Grange Road (Route 21) from Toorak ROAD and turn off to the left before the bridge..
9. Langi Flats
Overall Ratings
3.5 based on 3 reviews
Reviewed By Alys-Schatzi - Melbourne, Australia
Chicago architects Walter Burley Griffin and Marion Mahoney Griffin worked in Australia in the early 20th century, leaving behind them a significant body of work. 'Langi', in the Melbourne suburb of Toorak, is a pair of apartment buildings dating from 1925-26. One block faces Toorak Road, with a lawn and mature lemon-scented gum trees separating it from the busy road. The other block is behind this one and is accessed from Lansell Road. 'Langi' is classified by the National Trust as significant for its architectural and aesthetic qualities. Viewing from outside, from Toorak and Lansell Roads, you can get a good sense of the structures' characteristics and decorative details, including gates and grilles and eaves. When a flat was open for inspection, I took the opportunity to look inside; I saw 12 foot decorative ceilings, fireplaces, and some leadlighting. Under normal circumstances it is not possible to enter any of the flats because they are occupied by private owners and tenants, but photography and appreciation of the overall architecture is easy from the street as there are no high fences or other barriers.
10. Trak Lounge Bar
Overall Ratings
2 based on 6 reviews
TRAK, MELBOURNE’S MOST EXCITING EVENT & FUNCTION VENUE Located in the heart of Toorak village, TRAK is one of Melbourne's most prestigious and iconic venues. TRAK is a breathtaking space for small and large functions and has hosted a wide and varied list of events such as THOMAS SABO product launch, MISS UNIVERSE finals and other fabulous fashion shows, including other diverse industry cocktail parties and literally hundreds of birthdays. Not to mention live events with some of the world’s biggest names in entertainment. We cater for all function sizes from 50 to 1150 guests. Offering general standing or seated function rooms, TRAK makes a perfect venue for all occasions such as; Private Events, Corporate Events, Weddings, Engagements, Birthday Parties, Hens Groups and Live, Rock and Club gigs. We Offer: • Indoor smoking room with private bar • VIP Bar overlooking main room • Main stage (12.5m long 6.5m deep) • Original giant cinema screen • Projection screen • Plasma screens • LED screens • Aerialist rigging points • Dance floor and stage lighting truss available • State of the art lighting and sound equipment • DJ equipment and PA system available • Private Booths Contact us for a Media Pack which outlines our production specifications, catering and beverage packages.
Reviewed By Alys-Schatzi - Melbourne, Australia
For a young crowd. I simply pass by. They arrive late night by tram, car or cab and long queues form. I don't have any issues with the clients or venue but some of the people who live close by do. After complaints, security guards were employed to keep down noise, littering (emptied bottles) and hooning.
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