Lakeview Reserve Dog Off Leash Area

Lakeview Reserve sits on the north-west side of Lillydale Lake and is one of the designated off-leash zones around the water: a large, open, grassy parkland with some natural shrubbery, bordering the lake and Olinda Creek. It is unfenced, with plenty of room for dogs to run, and the creek edge adds a water element most suburban reserves cannot offer.

The dog setup

Off-leash is allowed only in the marked zones around the lake; the rest of the reserve requires a lead. Keep your dog under effective voice or hand control, carry a lead, and stay clear of playgrounds, barbecue and picnic areas by at least 20 metres. Dogs are not permitted on the beach or in the swimming area. Clean up after your dog; bins are on-site.

Max: the lake water can carry bacteria after heavy rain. Give it 48 hours after a real downpour before letting your dog in.

Worth knowing

Open grass, perimeter seating, waste bins and creek access along the edge cover the basics, though you should bring your own bowl. The 2.6 km gravel circuit around the lake starts here, so an off-leash run pairs naturally with an on-lead lap of the water. This is a control-based ground, not containment: a solid recall is the requirement, and confident dogs who like open space do best here.

Getting there and parking

Access is via Meadow Gate Drive off Swansea Road, near the Lilydale Library, with a large car park on the north side. Lilydale Station is about a 20 to 25 minute walk, which makes the lake circuit a genuine car-free option.

While you're out there

The quieter east off-leash area is the alternative zone on the far side of the lake, and the Brushy Creek connection to the Lilydale to Warburton Trail extends the walk for on-lead kilometres. The Lilydale General and The Pump Cafe in Mooroolbark are the dog-friendly coffee options nearby.

When to go

Mid-morning on a weekday is the quietest window. Weekend mornings and late weekday afternoons are the busiest, when the circuit is at its most social for dogs and owners alike.