Forest Hill Reserve Dog Off Leash Area

Forest Hill Reserve's off-leash area on Hawthorn Road is a large, open, unfenced stretch of grass in Melbourne's east under Whitehorse City Council, with mature trees throwing shade across the edges. It is a straightforward local reserve rather than a built dog park, easy to reach from Canterbury Road or Mahoneys Road, and best suited to dogs that come back when called.

The dog setup

Whitehorse's off-lead rules shape the session here: you need to stay within 25 metres of your dog, keep them in clear view, and have them return on command, with a leash of no more than 1.5 metres carried at all times. Dogs are kept off the sports fields whenever organised sport is on, and a leash goes on within 2.5 metres of children's play spaces, playgrounds, barbecues and picnic shelters. With no fence line anywhere, recall is the real gate to this reserve.

What's on site

Rubbish bins and dog waste bags are generally provided, which is a step up on some nearby reserves, and the scattered trees give usable shade through summer. There is no reliable on-site water, so bring your own bowl and supply. Parking is on the street along Hawthorn Road.

Max: big grass, big shade trees, and bins with bags already stocked. My kind of no-frills oval.

Getting there

Drive in via Canterbury Road then Hawthorn Road, or via Mahoneys Road. Several bus routes run along Canterbury Road with a short walk in, and there is no direct train access. Weekday mornings and afternoons bring the regulars and weekend mornings are the busiest overall, so a weekday mid-morning to early afternoon is the quiet window.

While you're out there

If the open layout does not suit your dog, Mahoneys Reserve Fenced Dog Off Leash Area is the secure local alternative, and Davy Lane adds another off-leash pocket. For a longer outing, the Blackburn Lake Sanctuary walk is close by, and Spizzico Gourmet Deli and Cafe at Burwood East makes a handy stop; check its pet rules first. You can compare more dog parks in Victoria or browse Forest Hill.