Banksia Park Fenced Dog Park

Banksia Park Fenced Dog Park is a one-hectare, fully fenced off-leash enclosure inside Banksia Park's northern arm in Bulleen, part of the Yarra Valley Parklands. It is the drawcard for local dog owners: a secure paddock right by the Yarra River where dogs can run properly off the lead without the usual worry about traffic or bolting.

The dog setup

Off-leash is permitted only inside the fenced enclosure. Everywhere else in the surrounding parkland, including within 15 metres of picnic areas, playgrounds and barbecues, dogs must be on-leash under Parks Victoria and Manningham rules. Even inside the fence, dogs need to be under effective voice or hand control and kept within about 50 metres of their owner. Inside you will find a dog water station with a bowl and a bench; the wider parkland adds picnic tables, shade and BYO barbecue spots.

Max: watch the wombat gates at the entry points. A few owners report they are loose enough for a determined larger dog to squeeze through, so do not assume the fence line is foolproof while you are unclipping the lead.

The vibe

This is bushland running rather than manicured park: cherry blossoms along the river edge in spring, plenty of sniffing ground, and a steady social crowd of regulars. Snakes have been reported around the edges in warmer months, so keep an eye on long grass through summer. There are no bins on site, so bring your own bags and take rubbish home.

Getting there and parking

Enter via the main Banksia Park entrance off Templestowe Road, Bulleen, where a large free car park sits near the entrance. Bus routes along Templestowe Road get you within a short walk, and walking trails from neighbouring Birrarrung Park also connect through. The park is listed as open 8.30am to 5pm daily, so check Parks Victoria gate times before a late visit.

Close by with the dogs

There is no dog-friendly cafe in Bulleen itself, but Templestowe and Doncaster both have cafe strips within a short drive. For a second off-leash session nearby, the Morris Williams Reserve Dog Off Leash Area is also in Bulleen, and the Ruffey Lake Park Dog Off Leash Area is a short hop east.

More options are on the Victoria dog parks guide and the Bulleen destination page.