Eram Park Dog Off Leash Area

Eram Park is a big, hilly stretch of open ground in Box Hill North, sitting between Koonung Creek and the Eastern Freeway. It is not landscaped and it is not fenced like a dedicated dog park. What it offers is room: dogs are off-leash here around the clock, and the size suits high-energy dogs that need a proper run rather than another pocket park.

The dog setup

Off-leash access applies 24 hours a day, with your dog under effective voice control at all times and returning on call. Whitehorse City Council rules require you to carry a leash and waste bags even inside the off-lead zone, and dogs go back on leash once you step onto the Koonung Creek Linear Park trails. Perimeter fencing separates the reserve from the freeway, but it is not escape-proof: there are spots along the freeway bank where a small or determined dog can squeeze under, so stay close to little dogs near the boundary.

Max: check the freeway-side fence before you unclip near the boundary. A few gaps run low enough for a small dog to slip through, and that is the one direction you do not want a bolt.

The vibe

Late afternoons and weekend mornings draw the regulars and there is a proper social scene among Box Hill North dog owners. Weekday mid-morning is the quiet window. Even when busy, the space is big enough to spread out, which makes it a good fit for dogs that get overwhelmed in small fenced runs. Council construction on the Eastern Freeway widening may affect access and conditions from late 2025 onwards, so check current status before a special trip.

Getting there and parking

The park is reached from Eram Road, Box Hill North, with street parking in the surrounding residential streets. Walkers can cross the freeway on the pedestrian bridge near the site, and the Koonung Creek Trail connects through toward Tram Road. There are no water taps, bins, toilets or barbecues on site, so bring water and a bowl and carry your bags out.

Close by with the dogs

If you need a fully fenced run instead, the Gordon Barnard Reserve Fenced Dog Play Area over in Balwyn North is the secure option, and the Koonung Creek Linear Park Dog Off Leash Area continues the same corridor on the Doncaster side. The Cafe Kahvila in Box Hill North does outdoor tables for the coffee after.

More runs are listed in the Victoria dog parks guide and the Box Hill North destination page.