Melbourne is known as the cultural city of Australia but did you know it has awesome dog parks as well?
In this article, we'll review some of the top dog parks in Melb, from ones more central to the CBD whilst others a bit more in the suburbs.
Albert Park Reserve:
This beautiful off-leash dog park (well some of it is off-leashed) is located just 3 kilometres from Melbourne's CBD, making it a convenient option for inner-city dwellers.
With over 226 hectares, Albert Park has plenty of space for your dog to run around and play. As mentioned, part of it is on-lead and some off-lead areas so make sure you watch for signs and check before your let your dog run around. It also has some facilities like water fountains, picnic tables and benches.
There are also some areas near the playgrounds where you must leash your dog as well.
Address: Albert Rd, Albert Park VIC 3206, Australia
Royal Park (MacArthur Road):
The Royal Park has 3 off leash areas (take a look at the map below). The main offleash area is south of MacArthur Road and there are two smaller areas as well. In the map, the yellow is the off leash areas and the red is prohibited for dogs.
So this park is great if you’re looking for a great off-leash area for your dog to run around. It’s around 70m wide with a ton of trees, so decent amount of dog to run around.
For facilities, it has a toilet but no water taps so bring your own bottle.
Address: Royal Park, Parkville VIC 3052, Australia
Fawkner Park
Fawkner Park is a 41-hectare park located in South Yarra, featuring designated off-leash areas for dogs to play and explore. The park is known for its beautiful Moreton Bay Fig trees and art-deco brick pavilions, providing a picturesque setting for dog owners and their pets.
The park offers a range of facilities and amenities, including sports facilities, playgrounds, and a community center. The designated off-leash areas provide a safe and enjoyable environment for dogs to exercise and socialize with other dogs, making it a popular destination for dog owners in the area.
Fawkner Park is easily accessible by public transport and offers ample parking for visitors. With its beautiful surroundings and dog-friendly facilities, Fawkner Park is a great addition to any list of the best off-leash dog parks in Melbourne.
Address: 24-88 Commercial Rd, South Yarra VIC 3141, Australia
Brighton Dog Beach
The sandy beach which is also named Sandown Street Beach is completely fenced off with a quick-shutting gate and dogs can run off leash all year round. The beach is very popular with dog owners and you'll always find some doggy friends there.
Free parking is very limited in the Sandown Street area and you will probably have to use the ticketed parking area in front of the Middle Brighton Baths. Parking in the area is ticketed 7 days a week including public holidays from 8am to 8pm. The cost is $5.30 per hour and $12.60 for 4 hours (maximum stay).
Address: 7 Sandown Street, Brighton 3186
Yarra Bend Park:
This is Melbourne’s largest natural bushland park, offering 260 hectares of open grass woodlands and sport fields.
It has designated offleash zones for playtime and the park winds around the Yarra River, providing not only a great time for the dog but a great viewing for scenery for the owners as well. It’s got some awesome friendly trials as well in certain parks as well.
Just be mindful where you have to leash your dog.
Address: Yarra Bend Rd, Fairfield VIC 3078, Australia