Michael Park Off Leash Dog Park

Michael Park on Orange Grove Road is a fully fenced off-leash dog park in Highfields, with a double-gate entry that makes it a safe pick for dogs still learning their recall. It is one large unified run, so there is no separate section for small or large dogs.

The rules

Keep your dog on-leash until you are inside the fenced area, then keep it under effective control off-leash, with a collar and ID tag on. Bins are provided, so clean up straight away, and owners who cannot comfortably supervise more than one or two dogs should think twice before bringing the whole crew.

What's there

A water fountain serves dogs and people, and the park carries public toilets, picnic tables and a gazebo for shade, with wood-fired barbecues nearby. Bring your own bowl if you would rather not share the fountain.

Max: because there is no small-dog section, nervous or tiny dogs do better here in the quiet windows. Mid-morning on a weekday beats Saturday chaos for a first visit.

The vibe

It reads as a neighbourhood park with a proper dog run bolted on, which suits Highfields' mix of families and retirees walking their dogs daily. The gazebo and barbecue setup mean it doubles as a picnic stop, and the gazebo cover earns its keep on hot Highfields afternoons.

The single-run layout keeps the social dynamic simple: everyone shares the space, so a dog that plays rough will meet plenty of softer players.

Getting there and parking

The park sits off the New England Highway via Cawdor Road onto Orange Grove Road, with free on-site parking. Public transport is very limited, so a car is the sensible choice.

When to go

It is generally quiet, with the busiest stretches on weekends, Sunday mornings, Wednesday and Thursday afternoons and Saturday mornings. For a nervous dog, weekdays between 10am and 2pm are the calmest window.

Close by with the dogs

The Harris Park off-leash area is close by for a change of run, and the cafes around Highfields Village near Cawdor Road, roughly a five-minute drive, do dog-friendly outdoor seating. The Chocolate Cottage is the local classic for a post-park treat.

More options are on the Queensland dog parks guide and the Highfields destination page.