Fairview Park Dog Off Leash Area

Fairview Park Dog Off Leash Area sits at 15 Fairview Street, Hawthorn, on the banks of the Yarra River. It is a leafy few hectares of mature gums, open grass and gentle slopes with river views, off-lead dawn to dusk seven days, and the one thing every visit starts with is the same: the park is unfenced, open to both the river and the road.

The dog setup

The open grass fields give plenty of running room with a river backdrop, and the big trees throw real shade through summer. There is a drinking fountain, seating and tables, and the riverbank gives dogs a long sniff line, though the banks are steep. The reserve also carries a fenced playground, BBQs and picnic tables. Public toilets are shared with the adjoining Wallen Road Reserve.

Worth knowing

Boroondara's off-lead conditions apply: effective voice or hand control at all times, a leash carried with you, no dogs inside the fenced playground and on-lead within 10 metres of it, and at least 30 metres from BBQs and picnic areas while they are in use. Bring your own waste bags and bin them. Because the park is unfenced with a steep drop to the Yarra, dogs with shaky recall are better worked on the open grass away from the bank, and the river can run fast and high after rain.

Max: unfenced and river-adjacent means recall is the entry fee. If yours does not come back first time every time, keep the lead handy and stay uphill of the bank.

Getting there and parking

Street parking on Fairview Street is limited, so the easier bet is the car park at the adjoining Wallen Road Reserve next door. The park is about 1.5 kilometres from Hawthorn station and reachable on tram routes along Riversdale Road. Weekend mornings, late afternoons and weekday evenings from around 5pm are the social peaks; early morning is the quiet window.

Close by with the dogs

The adjacent Wallen Road Reserve Dog Off Leash Area extends the riverside run, and across the council border Victoria Park Dog Off Leash Area at Kew and Dame Nellie Melba Memorial Park Dog Off Leash Area at Richmond are short drives. For coffee after, Willo Cafe is a few minutes toward Kew.

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