A strip shopping area runs along Waverley Road to the tram terminus at Darling Road. Regional shopping came to Malvern East when Myer acquired land from the Convent of the Good Shepherd in 1957 and built the Chadstone Shopping centre. The site was green fields one, but unusual in that it was positioned in an area very nearly surrounded by established housing. Malvern East's part of the Gardiners Creek valley has numerous sports ovals and a public golf course. Closer to old Malvern is the linear Hedeley Dene Gardens, along a swampy gully acquired by the council in 1911.
Ardrie gardens has tennis courts.
The Gardiners Creek valley has been the focus of citizens' attention on at least two occasions. In 1923 a Glen Iris Valley Recreation Club was formed to press for recreation space along the valley. In 1977 the Gardiners Creek Valley Association was formed to preserve the valley and adjacent houses from an extension of the South Eastern Freeway from Tooronga Road to Warrigal Road. Ultimately 1,000 residents were displaced by land acquisition.