Melbourne carpark dubbed Australia’s worst over one massive flaw

Australia has thousands of carparks and some of them are a nightmare. But one in particular has left Victorians shaking their heads in disbelief.

Australia is home to thousands of carparks, but one in particular has left Victorians shaking their heads.

The r/melbourne group has unofficially crowned the IGA shopping centre carpark in Officer, Victoria, as the most confusing and poorly designed carpark in the country.

Situated about an hour southeast of Melbourne’s CBD, this 24-space carpark looks deceptively normal until you realise one glaring omission: there’s no clear exit.

Unlike many small carparks that have a single entrance and exit, this IGA carpark lacks any line markings to guide drivers out. The design flaw is not just inconvenient; it’s a potential hazard, as drivers exiting the carpark must be cautious of those entering who might not expect cars to be coming toward them.

According to the original poster on Reddit, this issue has persisted for at least six months since the IGA opened, with no signs of improvement.

One user humorously referenced the Eagles’ song “Hotel California” to describe the predicament.

“Welcome to the shopping centre in Officer, such a lovely place, such a lovely place. You can park in any spot you like, but you can never leave,” one user wrote.

“It’s day 55, I’m still going through the motions stuck in this loop. I’ve had no sleep, not seen my kids and wife, but I must obey the road signals. My quest to exit shall continue,” another joked.

The Officer IGA carpark is not alone in its dubious distinction. Across Australia, several other carparks have earned a reputation for poor design and driver frustration.

This delightful number has been dubbed Australia's dumbest carpark.

In Brisbane, the infamous “Gabba” carpark has been criticised for its tight spaces and confusing layout, leaving drivers feeling claustrophobic and stressed.

Similarly, the carpark at Bondi Beach in Sydney often leaves beachgoers scratching their heads, thanks to its narrow lanes and limited signage.

Perth’s City West carpark is another contender, where drivers frequently find themselves in a maze of poorly marked lanes and unclear exits.

The Chadstone Shopping Centre carpark in Melbourne has also come under fire for turning the simple act of parking into a competitive sport.

The carpark at Moonee Ponds Coles has also been roasted online by parking critics.

“Coles Moonee Ponds car park has to take the cake for one of the worst car parks,” one wrote under the post.

Originally published as Melbourne carpark dubbed Australia’s worst over one massive flaw