Real Park Fenced Dog Park

Real Park on Heath Street in East Brisbane runs a fully fenced, 24-hour off-leash dog park, and its best feature is the entry: a double-gate airlock on a large open run, which makes a real difference if your dog is quick on the draw at gates. It is a neighbourhood park used mainly by locals rather than a destination draw, and the mix of dog sizes reflects that.

The dog setup

Inside the fence, dogs run off-leash around the clock; on the surrounding parkland and walking paths the lead goes back on. The run is communal, so expect everything from staffies to cavoodles sharing the space, and keep your dog in sight and under voice control at busy times. Gates get closed properly behind you, waste goes in the bins provided, and any dog showing aggression gets taken out. On the practical side there is a water tap on site and established shade trees, though seating is limited compared with the bigger regional parks, so bring a chair if you plan to stay a while.

Max: the double gate is only worth something if you use it properly. Dog off lead inside the airlock, lead clipped before the second gate opens.

Getting there and parking

Street parking along Heath Street and the surrounding residential streets is limited but usually workable outside peak times. Buses run along Logan Road and Stanley Street a short walk away, and the park is an easy approach on foot or by bike from the East Brisbane, Norman Park and Coorparoo side of the river bend.

When to go

The quietest stretch is weekday mid-morning, roughly 10am to 2pm. Weekday evenings between about 4.30 and 6.30pm and weekend mornings from 7 to 10am are the busy windows, when the regulars bring their dogs through after work and before the day heats up. If your dog is unsure in a crowd, aim for the midday lull.

Close by with the dogs

Raymond Park and Woolloongabba Rotary Park offer fenced alternatives nearby, and the Shafston Hotel welcomes dogs in its outdoor areas for a post-park drink. More options are on the QLD dog parks guide and the East Brisbane destination page.