Hovells Creek Reserve Fenced Dog Park (Lara)

Hovells Creek Reserve Fenced Dog Park is a fully fenced, double-gated off-leash area within the wider Hovells Creek Public Recreation Reserve on Rennie Street, Lara, between Melbourne and Geelong. It is set up as a proper training and exercise space rather than a plain paddock, with a built agility course alongside the open run.

The dog setup

The fenced area includes separate zones for active dogs and for smaller or more passive dogs, plus an agility course with a balance beam, hurdles, weave poles, a tunnel and a sand pit. Water taps and bowls are on site, though shaded seating looks limited, so bring your own if you plan to stay a while.

Dogs must be on leash until you are through the double gates, then off leash inside the fence. Keep voice control over your dog at all times, remove them immediately if they show aggression, and use the doggy bag dispensers and bins provided.

Max: check the gate is fully latched behind you before letting your dog off. It is a double-gate system precisely so dogs cannot bolt out while you are still coming in.

Getting there

The reserve is at 106 Rennie Street, Lara, an easy drive with parking at the reserve, and it sits within the bigger sports reserve so there is plenty of room to circulate. If you are coming by train on the Geelong line, Lara station is a fair walk rather than a quick one.

Close by with the dogs

Stead Park Dog Park at Corio is the nearest alternative fenced run, and Lara's cafe strip gives you options afterwards: Anna's Cafe and Xpresso both work for a post-park coffee with the dog at the outdoor tables.

More runs are on the Victoria dog park guide and the Lara destination page.

Weekends and early mornings or late afternoons on weekdays are the busiest times, so aim for a weekday mid-morning if you want the space to yourself. The tracks around the creek can get muddy after rain, so keep a hose-down kit in the car if you plan to explore beyond the fence.