Susan Street Dog Off Leash Area

Susan Street Dog Off Leash Area is a large, open reserve at 4 Susan Street in Eltham, mixing a full-size sports oval with mown grass and treed corners under Nillumbik Shire Council. It is not fenced, and that shapes everything: the dogs that do best here are the ones with reliable recall, given room to run in a way a small enclosure never allows.

The dog setup

The oval is off-leash under council's off-leash rules, but only when it is not in use or reserved. Eltham Junior Football Club uses it in winter and the cricket club in summer, and school sport takes the ground on weekdays, so if training or a game is on, the oval is off the agenda. Dogs must stay under effective control at all times, which the council defines as remaining within sight and returning immediately when called. Keep the lead handy for the car park, surrounding residential streets, and within five metres of shared paths and playgrounds. Carry bags and use the bins near the entrance and along the perimeter.

Max: no fence means no coasting. I keep the leads in my hand until I know the oval is clear, and call early rather than late with the football ground right next door.

The vibe

This is a working community reserve rather than a manicured dog park: a sports pavilion, cricket nets, drinking fountains and a big flat oval backed by natural treed edges. Local pathways run off the reserve, so a ball session on the grass can turn into a longer on-lead walk without loading the car. It is busiest around school times on weekdays and on weekend mornings; mid-morning mid-week is the quiet window. Even at peak there is room to spread out, which suits sociable dogs who like open running more than structured meet-and-greets.

Getting there

The reserve sits just off Main Road, with parking along Susan Street. Eltham Station on the Hurstbridge line is a short walk away, and pedestrian trails connect from the surrounding streets if you would rather arrive on foot.

Close by with the dogs

The Main Road cafes are two to three minutes by car, and Second Home has the dog-friendly courtyard for the after-walk coffee. If your dog needs a fence, Eltham Lower Park's fenced oval is the enclosed alternative a few minutes south, while Eltham North Dog Park covers the northern side of the shire. Wingrove Park is another unfenced option in the same patch of Eltham.

More spots like this are on the Victoria off-leash parks guide and the Eltham destination page.