Hinkler Reserve Dog Off Leash Area

Hinkler Reserve is a designated off-leash area in Glen Waverley with a bushland-in-suburbia feel: a figure-eight gravel track winds through trees and native planting, opening onto grass where dogs can run. It is one of the more rounded Monash reserves because the walk, the shade and the off-lead space come in the same visit.

The dog setup

Dogs are off lead 24 hours under City of Monash rules, which means effective voice or hand control, a lead carried at all times, and immediate clean up using the bins and bag dispensers on site. The reserve is not fully fenced: edges open onto surrounding streets, so check the recall before unclipping, especially with a dog that drifts along fence lines.

The playground and the denser central wooded sections are on-lead, as is anywhere within about 20 metres of a barbecue or play equipment in use.

Max: with open sides to the streets, this is a check-your-recall spot before you unclip.

The vibe

Late afternoon around 5pm is the social peak when the regulars gather, while a mid-morning weekday lap is usually quiet. Benches sit along the loop, and tree cover makes this workable through a warm afternoon. A drinking tap with a dog bowl is on site, which is not a given at Monash reserves.

Getting there and parking

Access is off Hinkler Road East, with street parking around the reserve that fills at busy times. The Kingsway cafe strip in central Glen Waverley is about five minutes by car.

Close by with the dogs

Larpent Reserve Dog Off Leash Area is a quick run alternative on the other side of Springvale Road, and Jells Road Reserve Dog Off Leash Area adds a much bigger run a few minutes south in Wheelers Hill. For coffee afterwards, Mocha Jos is the local stop.

More options are on the Victoria dog friendly parks guide and the Glen Waverley destination page.