Murndal Reserve Dog Off Leash Area

Murndal Reserve is a neighbourhood off-leash reserve on Murndal Drive in Donvale, a sloping block of open grass close to a hectare in size. It is a quiet local run rather than a destination park, and its size means it rarely feels crowded even when a few dogs are on it at once.

The dog setup

The reserve is designated off-leash under Manningham Council rules, with dogs required to stay under effective voice or hand-signal control. It is partly fenced rather than fully enclosed, with fencing on some sides and an open edge at the top of the hill, so do not unclip a dog without reliable recall. Dogs must be back on lead within 15 metres of any children's playground or scheduled sporting event, and a neighbouring property on the eastern side has a dog of its own, so keep yours off private land. There is seating for owners but limited shade, no confirmed water tap, and bag dispensers are not reliably stocked, so bring your own bags and water.

Max: fenced on some sides, open at the top of the hill. Read the boundaries before you unclip, and keep a chaser or a roamer close.

The vibe

Weekends and the stretch after 4pm on weekdays draw the most dogs; weekday mornings and mid-afternoons are calmer. The slope makes it a decent spot for fitness work, and the open ground suits owners practising recall away from busier fenced parks.

Getting there and parking

The reserve is reached off Mitcham Road and Doncaster Road, handy from both Donvale and Mitcham. Free on-street parking runs along Murndal Drive, and the nearest buses stop on Doncaster Road, a short walk away.

More walks nearby

For a fully enclosed session, the Aranga Reserve Fenced Dog Park adds agility equipment, and Mitcham Dog Park is the fenced option on the other side. For a longer leg-stretch, the Bucks Walking Trail follows quiet bushland through Donvale, and Dark Horse on the Brit is a coffee stop on the way home.

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