Martin Reserve Dog Off Leash Area

Martin Reserve is a 24/7 off-leash reserve in Hadfield built around a football and cricket oval, ringed by mature trees that keep most of the ground shaded. It is a genuine local favourite with enough open space for a proper off-lead run, not just a strip of grass, and the all-hours designation makes it easy to fit around work or sport.

The dog setup

The whole reserve is designated off-leash around the clock, but dogs must stay under effective voice control at all times. Keep your dog on-lead within 15 metres of the playground and barbecue area, and off the oval entirely, or on-lead within 15 metres of it, whenever organised sport is on. Clean up straight away, and remove a dog immediately if it gets aggressive toward people or other dogs.

Worth knowing

There is water access, usually a tap, though bringing your own bowl as a backup is smart. Public toilets sit at the pavilion but are often locked outside scheduled sport, so do not count on them. No night lighting means daylight visits only, and scattered seating plus the tree cover make the warm hours bearable.

Getting there and parking

A small gravel car park sits off Domain Street, with extra parking on the surrounding residential streets. The reserve is within reach of Gowrie and Fawkner stations on the Upfield line, and buses along Sydney Road and Boundary Road stop a short walk away.

While you're out there

If the oval is booked for sport, the fenced dog park at Moomba Park in Fawkner is a short drive away. For coffee after the run, Binky and Beans in Coburg North or Ferrovia Cafe in Pascoe Vale both welcome dogs, and the Sydney Road strip through Fawkner and Coburg North carries more dog-friendly options about five minutes away.

When to go

Weekday mornings are the quiet window. Late afternoon from about 4.30pm and weekend mornings draw the biggest crowds, so if your dog is not confident around a lot of others, aim for an off-peak visit. Check the sport schedule before you go if you want the oval itself.