Fritsch Holzer Park Dog Off Leash Area

Fritsch Holzer Park, on Rose Street in Hawthorn East, is a fenced off-leash area set inside a larger bushland park, with hills, walking trails and open grass giving dogs room to actually run rather than just wander a flat oval.

The rules. Boroondara council lists the park as an off-leash area, and it is generally treated as fenced with off-leash access day-round, but signage at the gate is the final word so check it on arrival. Dogs need to be under effective voice control even inside the fence, gates should be pulled shut behind you, and you are expected to clean up immediately with bins provided on site.

What's there. There is drinking water for dogs, plus toilets, seating, picnic shelters and a barbecue for the humans. The terrain is a mix of grass and bushland, and it turns muddy quickly after rain, so it is not the place for a dog that hates a wet coat.

Getting there. The park sits just off Riversdale Road near the Camberwell Junction end of Hawthorn East, with street parking on Rose Street and nearby residential roads. Auburn and Camberwell train stations (Lilydale/Belgrave line) are both under 1.5 kilometres away, and the number 70 tram along Riversdale Road gets you close.

Nearby with the dogs. Camberwell Junction, a five to ten minute walk away, has the area's best run of dog-friendly cafes, and there are a handful of pet-friendly serviced apartments around Hawthorn and Camberwell if you need to stay over.

Weekends and the weekday morning and evening rush are when it fills up with the local dog crowd. If your dog is nervous around others, a weekday mid-morning or mid-afternoon visit gets you a much quieter fenced space to work with.

Sources

• Fritsch Holzer Park · boroondara.vic.gov.au
• Off-lead dog parks | City of Boroondara · boroondara.vic.gov.au

Compiled from public sources and verified listings. Always confirm current rules with the venue or council before you travel.