Fairbairn Park Dog Off Leash Area

Fairbairn Park is Ascot Vale's biggest dog space, a long run of flat sports ovals beside the Maribyrnong River where dogs can go off-leash any time organised sport is not on. For sheer galloping room in Melbourne's inner north-west, it is hard to beat.

The dog setup

The ovals are off-leash except during scheduled matches and training, when dogs must be leashed and off the playing surface. Moonee Valley Council requires effective control at all times: your dog stays in sight and comes back on command.

Leash up within 15 metres of the playgrounds, barbecues and exercise equipment, in the car parks, along the river trail, and in the southern section near the golf driving range, where dogs are not permitted at all.

Worth knowing

The park runs real infrastructure: water fountains with ground-level dog bowls, free poo-bag dispensers with red disposal bins, toilet blocks at both ends, covered picnic tables and free electric barbecues. Two playgrounds, at the north end and south-east corner, carry the 15-metre leash buffer.

Shade is thin out on the ovals themselves, so summer visits work best early. The river runs the length of the park and plenty of dogs swim, but the banks are muddy and slippery, and this stretch is tidal so the entry points shift through the day.

Pepsi: the swim is the easy part, the climb out is the muddy part. Bring a towel and an old blanket for the boot.

Getting there

The park sits along the Maribyrnong River at Ascot Vale, with car parks at both ends of the reserve and street parking on the surrounding side streets. Bus routes and the Craigieburn line put you within walking distance of the northern end.

Close by with the dogs

The river trail links straight into the Maribyrnong River loop at Aberfeldie for a longer walk, and Bent Street Fenced Dog Park is the nearby option when you need a secure yard.

For the coffee stop, Middle Child on Maribyrnong Road keeps dog-friendly outdoor seating on the way home.

More running room is in the Victoria dog park guide and the suburb's other spots are on the Ascot Vale destination page.