Mitcham offers a surprisingly viable car-free lifestyle, particularly for commuters and families, due to its established public transport network and proximity to key amenities, as of December 2025.
The primary support comes from Mitcham Station, on the Belgrave and Lilydale lines, currently providing 35-40 minute train journeys to Flinders Street Station. This makes daily commuting to the CBD feasible without a car. Several bus routes connect residents to the station and surrounding suburbs, including routes servicing Antonio Park Primary and Mullauna Secondary College. Beyond the station, Heatherdale Station is within a reasonable cycling distance for some residents. Locally, essential amenities are accessible; Mitcham Private Hospital and local shops along Whitehorse Road are walkable from many properties. Larger retail options at Eastland Shopping Centre in Ringwood are easily reached via bus routes from Mitcham Station. The network of bike paths, particularly those connecting to Yarran Dheran Nature Reserve, also encourage cycling for recreation and shorter trips. While not every property is within immediate walking distance of a train station, the density of transport options is higher than many outer-east suburbs.
Mitcham’s combination of train access, bus routes, and local amenities creates a practical environment for reducing reliance on private vehicles in 2026.