Cat Jump Park Dog Off Leash Area

Cat Jump Park off Bellevue Avenue in Doncaster East is a large, hilly off-leash reserve with open grass, mature trees and gravel paths. The terrain is the selling point: the slopes give both dog and owner a proper workout, and multiple entrances make it easy to reach from any direction.

The rules

Most of the reserve is off-lead under effective voice or sight control under Manningham Council's dog order. It is not fully fenced, so good recall is essential, particularly on the open hills. The internal fenced sports ground is available off-lead only when events are not in progress, and dogs stay on-lead within 15 metres of the playground, BBQ facilities and any organised sporting activity. Pick up after your dog.

What's there

A central playground, a tennis wall, metal soccer goal and basketball court serve the sports side, plus a shelter, BBQ and public toilets near the southern Bellevue Avenue access. A water tap is reported at the Polaris Drive entrance, but carry your own bowl. Bins can be limited, so bring spare bags.

Pepsi: the hills are the workout and the hazard in one. Mine burns off a week of energy here, but I keep the lead handy near the playground edge.

Getting there

Multiple access points run off Bellevue Avenue, Polaris Drive and Greenview Close, with street parking on the surrounding roads and public toilets near the southern Bellevue Avenue entrance. It is a short drive from The Pines Shopping Centre for a post-walk coffee.

Close by with the dogs

If your dog needs an enclosed space rather than open hills, the Aranga Reserve Fenced Dog Park at Donvale is nearby. For a longer on-lead circuit around water, Ruffey Lake Park is the big neighbouring reserve. Coffee options include Bob's Your Uncle Cafe and Inked Cup, both in Doncaster East. More are on the Victoria park guide and the Doncaster East destination page.

When to go

Quietest on weekday mornings and early afternoons; weekend mornings draw the regulars and their dogs. The hills make it warm work, so save the climbs for the cooler parts of summer days and carry water. Good for high-energy dogs that want gradient and space.