Turner Road Reserve Dog Off Leash Area

Turner Road Reserve in Highett is part of the wider Highett Reserve precinct, and its dog off lead area occupies an open grassy oval at the north end of the sports grounds. The catch that decides whether it suits you: the off lead oval is unfenced, so your dog needs reliable recall.

The dog setup

Off lead time happens on the designated northern oval only. The two ovals facing Turner Road are on lead, as are the areas around the playground and pavilion, and dogs must stay on lead in the car park and within about 20 metres of play equipment, barbecues or sporting events. Effective voice control applies and a lead must be carried at all times, and off lead access gives way when organised sport is running. Check the signage on arrival to confirm which oval is open to dogs. Clean up after your dog; bins are provided.

Max: The oval is unfenced and the car park is on-leash, so clip the lead back on before you leave the grass. If recall is still a work in progress, pick a quieter weekday over the busy morning rush.

The vibe

It is a flat, open grassy space with a well-earned local following - water taps with dog bowls sit on both sides of the oval, and toilets are at the rear of the pavilion. The wider precinct adds a large wooden fort playground, sheltered picnic tables, barbecues, cricket nets and a basketball half court, so it handles family trips alongside dog runs. The grass can get muddy or worn in patches after rain.

Getting there and parking

Access is via Turner Road, just off the Nepean Highway, with free parking at the reserve that gets tight at peak times. Highett Station is a short walk or quick bus trip away if you are coming without a car.

When to go

Weekday mid-mornings and early afternoons are the calmest windows. The social peaks run roughly 7am to 9am and 4pm to 6pm on weekdays and across the weekend, when parking tightens and the oval fills. Dogs with solid recall will love the crowd; cautious owners may prefer the quieter stretches.

Close by with the dogs

Highett's strip has plenty of coffee within a few minutes of the gate: Third Wheel Highett and The Little Elephant are local favourites, and Regulator Cafe is handy on the way home.

For more options across the state, browse dog parks in Victoria, or see what else is dog friendly in Highett.