John Turnbull Park Fenced Dog Park

John Turnbull Park Fenced Dog Park is a purpose-built, fully fenced enclosure on Lenah Valley Road in Hobart's foothills, covering around 15,000 square metres. It splits into a large general run and a smaller section for puppies, small dogs or nervous dogs still learning park manners, which makes it one of the more considered dog parks in the city.

The rules

Entry is through double airlock gates, so you can unclip the lead safely before your dog reaches the main area. Dogs must stay under control, and an aggressive dog should be removed immediately. The enclosure closes for maintenance on Wednesday mornings from 9:30am to 12:30pm, so plan around that window, and carry spare bags, since the on-site dispensers can run empty.

The dog setup

Inside the fence there is a mulched agility zone, a sandpit for diggers, a gravel section scattered with rocks and logs, and shaded corners for the sun-averse. Water stations serve the dogs, with a separate fountain for owners, and picnic tables and benches line the sidelines. A children's playground sits in the wider park, so keep dogs leashed outside the enclosure and well clear of it.

Worth knowing

Weekend mornings and Saturday afternoons are the busiest slots. If your dog prefers company in smaller doses, aim for a weekday morning or after 5pm, and use the smaller section when the main run is crowded.

Getting there and parking

The park sits on Lenah Valley Road, with a dedicated car park beside the entrance and overflow parking near Creek Road. Metro Tasmania buses run along Lenah Valley Road if you are arriving without a car.

More walks nearby

For an on-lead bushwalk, the New Town Falls Track climbs from the end of Lenah Valley Road into the kunanyi foothills, and Girrabong Park offers a quieter reserve nearby. Cafes on Augusta Road and at North Hobart, including the dog-friendly courtyard at Room For A Pony, round out a session.

More options are in the Tasmania dog parks guide and the Lenah Valley destination page.

Max: two areas, water on tap and an agility zone. The small-dog section is my retreat when the big crowd arrives.