T H Westfield Reserve Dog Off Leash Area

T.H. Westfield Reserve sits at the northern edge of Yarra Bend Park in Fairfield, on the corner of Yarra Bend Road and Heidelberg Road, and offers one of the larger open off-leash paddocks close to the city. Mown grass ringed by mature shade trees gives dogs genuine room to run, with bushland sloping away on the far side of the reserve.

The dog setup

The off-leash area is unfenced: a broad, gently sloping field where dogs run under voice or hand control. Keep your dog on-lead within five to ten metres of the shared paths, picnic shelter, barbecues and car park, and clipped back on before you step onto the surrounding Yarra trails. The open ground means you can read the crowd before unclipping, which helps with newer or selective dogs.

Worth knowing

The busy Heidelberg Road borders one side of the reserve, and the bush drops steeply into creekside terrain on the other, so the edges deserve attention if your dog's recall is a work in progress. Snakes are active in this bushland through the warmer months, another reason a reliable recall matters here.

Max: it's unfenced and close to a busy road, so keep a newer or bolt-prone dog within call before you unclip. The open ground gives you plenty of time to read the space first.

Facilities and parking

There is a paved car park on the western side of the reserve off Yarra Bend Road, with public toilets, bins, a large picnic shelter, barbecues and a water tap with a dog bowl down the hill. Waste bags are not supplied, so bring your own. Alphington Station on the Hurstbridge line is a 15 to 20 minute walk, and the Main Yarra Trail connects for anyone arriving on foot or by bike.

When to go

Weekends and sunny weekday mornings and evenings draw the social crowd. For a calmer run, particularly with a nervous or reactive dog, aim for a weekday afternoon.

Close by with the dogs

The Wurundjeri Spur Lookout walk extends the Yarra Bend day, and downriver the Fairfield Park Boathouse and Tea Gardens is the classic post-walk coffee stop by the water. On the cafe side, Hoppa and Joe on Heidelberg Road is a short trip for a dog-friendly brunch.

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