Pets

The best dog parks in Melbourne and regional Victoria

happy dog at the park

RACV Staff

Posted October 31, 2022

If your canine companion is looking for something a bit more exciting than running around the same patch of dirt, check out these paw-esome dog parks.

Love to treat your hound to a change of scenery with new sniffs and smells? Or is your fur-pup just looking to escape the daily grind? No worries, Melbourne and regional Victoria offer a range of incredible dog parks to suit even the most discerning of pups. 

With 31 new off-leash dog parks opening around Melbourne and regional Victoria as part of the $154-million-dollar Suburban Parks Program, there’s never been a better time to take your doggo on a new adventure.  

So whether you’re looking to escape the city for a well-deserved and pup-friendly weekend getaway, or staying local for exercise and socialising, we’ve got your dog-park needs covered from Brimbank to Ballarat.

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dog with toybox

Your dog will feel like they're on holiday running wild at one of these great dog parks. Image: Getty.

New off-leash dog parks in Melbourne

There are 20 new off-leash dog park locations around Melbourne that your prized pup is waiting to explore. These include: 

Cairnlea Dog Park, Cairnlea

This is one local residents will not want to miss. Featuring an open play ball pit, agility equipment, natural rummaging environment and off-leash zone, this is the Luna Park of dogville.

Merrifield Dog Park, Mickleham

This new off-leash dog park features a fenced in area, agility equipment, and even an area for small dogs to roam around safely. 

Parkwood Reserve Dog Park, Ringwood North 

A new off leash adventure zone, including sand digging, sensory play, an agility area, rock scramble zone and open runabout zone. 

Cliff Whitworth Reserve Dog Park, Essendon West 

A new, dedicated off-leash zone is being created, including fencing, run-about areas, and an agility zone. 

Other new off-leash dog parks with improved features such as fencing, shrubbery, seating, signage, and facilities include: 

  • Avoca Street Dog Park, Eynesbury 
  • Casey Fields Dog Park, Cranbourne East 
  • Edwardes Lake Dog Park, Reservoir West 
  • Roy Dore Dog Park, Carrum 
  • Emerson Place Reserve Dog Park, Rowville 
  • Thompson Reserve Dog Park, Maribyrnong 
  • Eltham North Dog Park, Eltham North 
  • MO Moran Reserve Dog Park, Elwood 
  • Thomas Oval Dog Park, South Yarra 
  • Bulban Road Dog Park, Werribee 
  • Redleap Reserve Dog Park, Mill Park 
  • Belgrave Lake Park Dog Park, Belgrave 
  • PA Burns Reserve Dog Park, Altona 
  • Tirhatuan Park Dog Park, Dandenong North 
  • Sandfield Reserve Dog Park, Carrum Downs 
  • Don Jackson Reserve Dog Park, Packenham 

 

There's nothing a dog loves more than rolling around in fresh grass. Image: Getty.

There's nothing a dog loves more than rolling around in fresh grass. Image: Getty. 

Best dog parks in Melbourne

Green Gully Reserve, Keilor Downs

A compact but well-designed agility course complete with tunnels, agility poles to weave in and out of, ramps, and doggy platforms. Fully fenced off from the rest of the reserve so your pooch can safely navigate their very own obstacle course. 

Clayton Reserve, North Melbourne

You can’t beat a dog park with a sandpit, set amidst lush green grass (great for sniffing). The fenced-off dog zone is a bonus for this one that resides so close to the CBD.

Alf Pearce Dog Park, Strathmore

This park is a mecca for the discerning dog who wants an all-inclusive experience. 

With facilities including an agility zone, time-out space (for when your dog just needs to chill), run-around area and doggy drink fountains, this one is tough to beat.

Brooklyn Dog Park, Brooklyn

Boasting its very own doggy toybox, the Brooklyn Dog Park features an agility course that includes hurdles, ramps and logs, all while safely fenced off for your dog pal to play safely. 

Aranga Reserve Dog Park, Donvale

With a dedicated fenced-off training area, this park is perfect for pooches who prefer their own company. It also features a large off-leash area complete with an obstacle course for dogs that enjoy socialising or who need to work off access energy. There are also plenty of benches for owners to sit and relax.

Ruffey Lake Park, Doncaster

Featuring a mix of leash and off-leash areas set amongst hectares of lush green grass, this park has shrubbery for the pup that likes to get back to basics when it comes to their dog parks. 

Martin Reserve, West Footscray

Expect a local dog park that keeps it simple. Fenced and off-leash, it offers plenty of space for dogs and owners alike to socialise while enjoying a coffee from one of the many local cafes. 

Doggy Play Park, Heatherton 

A private dog amusement park - need we say more? Choose between a private play with just you and your fur-baby, or enjoy a more social experience in the open play area. They also have weekly times dedicated to different breeds and dog sizes. 

 

dogs playing at the park

The dog park offers a great opportunity to make new friends. Image: Getty.

Regional Victoria’s new dog parks

Whether you’re a regional local or city roamer, you’ll find the pet perfect park for your four-legged companion located in some of Victoria’s most beautiful locations.

Plus, with 11 new off-leash dog parks to explore, there’s enough adventures for months to come. 

New dog parks in regional Victoria

Alexandra Avenue Dog Park, Ararat 

Includes a new off-leash area, as well as a doggy playground for play, agility training and tricks. 

Dowton Park, Yarragon

Featuring mounds, rocks, and agility equipment, designated ‘zones’ for active and quiet dogs, new paths, seating and shelter. 

Barry Steggall Park Dog Park, Swan Hill 

Including active and quiet zones, a dog education and training area, sensory elements such as rocks, drinking taps and bowls, digging pits and paths.

Other new off-leash dog parks including new fenced in areas, sniffer zones, seating or upgrades in regional Victoria include:

  • James Reserve Dog Park, Buninyong 
  • Barwon River Dog Park, Belmont  
  • Henty Park Dog Park, Portland 
  • Rio Vista Park Dog Park, Mildura 
  • East Street Dog Park, Kilmore 
  • Princess Park Dog Park, Shepparton 
  • Rotary Park Dog Park, Warracknabeal 

 

happy dog

A walked dog is a happy dog! Image: Supplied.

Best dog parks in regional Victoria

Alfred Nicholas Reserve, Sherbrooke

With foliage, grass, shrubs, and well-trodden pathways, this dog park in the Yarra Ranges provides a wonderland of new smells and textures for your dog to enjoy on-leash as you both enjoy the idyllic surroundings. 

Brackenbush Unleashed, Lakes Entrance 

For owners of dogs that don’t play well with others, or have a little social anxiety around other dogs, this park has dedicated areas just for you and your pup to play off-leash (no other dogs allowed) and when they’re ready to get more social, graduate into the general play area. 

Puffing Billy Dog Express, Dandenong Ranges

Though this locomotive isn’t a park, an activity that involves dogs hanging their heads out of train windows on one of Victoria’s heritage railways warrants a mention. With dog-friendly carriages on the Puffing Billy express, it’s advised to book ahead. 

Sebastopol Dog Park, Ballarat

With room to play and room to roam, this fenced-off park is conveniently situated next to a playground which makes it a great place to take the whole family, two and four-legged, as you explore the town of Ballarat. Water and complimentary poo bags make this a go-to for locals and visitors alike. 

Seagull Paddock Dog Park, Norlane

North of Geelong, this one is a large off-leash park for dogs that prefer a solid run-around and aren’t too fussed when it comes to doggy amenities. With an abundance of wildlife, bushes, and shrubbery, there’s heaps for your nature-loving pet to explore.

Lake Weeroona, Bendigo

For the dog that likes a latte after a lakefront stroll, you can’t go past Lake Weeroona and the dog-friendly nearby eatery, The Boardwalk when exploring Bendigo with your four-legged friend.

 

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