Girrabong Park

Girrabong Park is a small community reserve at the end of Girrabong Road in Lenah Valley, sitting on an elevated grassy patch below the foothills of kunanyi / Mount Wellington. Locals use it for the daily walk, and dogs get genuine off-leash time here, but only inside a set daily window, which is the first thing to know before you go.

The dog setup

Off-leash access runs from 9am to 7pm every day, under City of Hobart dog exercise rules. Outside that window dogs must be on-lead, and between 7am and 9am dogs are not allowed in the park at all. Even off-lead, effective control applies: no chasing or barking at people, wildlife or vehicles, and registration tags belong on the collar. Dogs must also stay out of the children's play area and keep at least 10 metres from the basketball area at all times. Waste bins are provided and cleanup is expected.

The vibe

This is a neighbourhood park rather than a dog destination: picnic tables and benches let you sit while your dog works the grass, and the children's play area keeps it busy with families on weekends. There is no dedicated dog water, so bring your own on warm days. The morning prohibition means early birds need another plan; the park fills with dogs soon after 9am and again in the late afternoon after school and work.

Getting there and parking

Turn off Lenah Valley Road into Girrabong Road and follow it to the end; the reserve sits at numbers 31 to 33. Parking is on the surrounding residential streets, so be considerate at the cul-de-sac end. Metro Tasmania buses run along Lenah Valley Road with a short walk up to the park. The city centre is about 15 minutes by car.

Pepsi: Watch the clock here. Arriving at 8:55am means waiting on the street, but 9:01am is a whole different park.

Close by with the dogs

For a run without the time window, the John Turnbull Park Fenced Dog Park is just down Lenah Valley Road with a fully enclosed space. The New Town Falls Track starts nearby for an on-lead bushwalk, and Bam Cafe and Bakery in New Town is a dog-welcoming stop on the way home.

Find more dog parks in Tasmania or explore Lenah Valley with a dog.