Seddon Reserve Dog Off Leash Area

Seddon Reserve Dog Off Leash Area is a Banyule City Council off-leash zone on an oval-shaped suburban reserve in Ivanhoe, a few minutes' walk from Ivanhoe railway station. It is a straightforward park for a run and a fetch session rather than a destination, and the honest headline is that the fencing is only partial, so this one rewards dogs with reliable recall.

The dog setup

The reserve is an open grass oval with shaded trees and seating around the edge. There is a water tap on site, though you should bring your own bowl, and waste bins are provided, but carry spare bags because the dispensers are not always stocked. There are no public toilets. The surrounding reserve has a fenced playground in the middle, sports club facilities and practice nets, which shapes when the space is actually free.

Worth knowing

Banyule's rules require effective voice control at all times while off lead, and dogs must stay at least 5 metres clear of the playground. If an organised sports match or council event is on, leash up regardless of the zone. Outside the reserve, including the surrounding footpaths and nature strips, dogs are on lead. Because the perimeter is not fully enclosed, watch the boundary closely if your dog tracks a scent. Weekday mornings and midday are quiet; expect more dogs after 5pm on weekdays and on weekend mornings.

Max: treat the partial fencing as a filter. If your dog will bolt at a bird, walk him on lead elsewhere; if recall is solid, this is an easy oval with few hassles.

Getting there and parking

The reserve sits in the Seddon Street area of Ivanhoe, close to the Upper Heidelberg Road shopping strip and Ivanhoe station on the Hurstbridge line. Parking is on the surrounding residential streets, and several bus routes on Heidelberg Road stop within a short walk.

Close by with the dogs

For a longer off-leash outing, Darebin Parklands Dog Off Leash Area and the Banyule Flats Reserve loop are both close, and Sparks Reserve Dog Off Leash Area is the other Ivanhoe option. Afterwards, Bambino Coffee Bar and Lucci Eatery are on the local cafe strip.

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