Morris Williams Reserve Dog Off Leash Area

Morris Williams Reserve is a 3.5-hectare open space on Rocklea Road in Bulleen, and its fenced sporting ground doubles as the local dog off-leash area when no sport is on. It is a no-fuss suburban option: a proper enclosed run inside the fence, and on-lead walking everywhere else.

Leash status

Off-leash is allowed only inside the fenced sporting ground, and only when it is not in use for organised sport, training or games. If a team or school group has the oval, leash up and clear the surface. Everywhere else in the reserve dogs stay on lead, and even leashed dogs must keep at least 15 metres from the playground, exercise equipment and picnic areas under Manningham's rules. Carry a leash with you even inside the fence, keep effective control at all times, and use the bins provided.

Max: check whether the oval is booked before you count on a free run. Winter weekend mornings belong to football and cricket, and the fence that makes this park useful is the same one that locks you out.

The dog setup

The draw is a full-sized fenced oval, which gives sprinting room most suburban reserves cannot. Around it sit a pavilion, walking paths, a shaded playground, a basketball half-court and outdoor exercise equipment near the car park. Drinking water and toilets are not guaranteed, so bring your own bowl and water.

Getting there and parking

Access is via Rocklea Road or Egan Drive, with off-street parking on Egan Drive. Local buses along Manningham Road put you within a short walk. The reserve sits in a residential pocket of Bulleen, minutes from the Eastern Freeway side of Manningham.

Worth knowing

Weekday late afternoons from about 4pm to 6pm draw the regular dog walkers; weekday mornings are the quiet window if you want the oval to yourselves. This is a local run rather than a destination park, and its availability swings with the sports season, so have a fallback.

Close by with the dogs

When the oval is booked, the Banksia Park Fenced Dog Park in the same suburb is the natural swap, with its own gates and water tap, and the Ruffey Lake Park Dog Off Leash Area covers Doncaster's big unfenced hills. For coffee afterwards, Two Doors Cafe is a short drive into Templestowe.

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