On leash park

Belmont Bush Reserve, listed here as the On Leash Park, is a small pocket of native bushland on Belmont Crescent in Montmorency, with unsealed dirt trails winding through Valley Grassy Forest. This is an on-leash walking spot rather than an off-leash run, best thought of as a quiet sniffari for dogs who enjoy the bush as much as the walk.

The dog setup

Dogs must stay on lead throughout the reserve, and the reason is written into the landscape: the vegetation includes sensitive native flora, with orchids appearing in places, so keeping dogs on the formed track and out of marked conservation patches genuinely matters here.

Facilities are minimal by design. There are no toilets, taps or bins on site, so bring your own water and poop bags and plan to carry everything home. The terrain is natural dirt track with a steeper section near the top ridge that can get slippery after rain.

The vibe

This is a pocket-sized reserve in a residential street, so expect a quiet circuit rather than a long expedition. It suits calm dogs on lead and owners who want a green escape without driving anywhere, and it pairs neatly with a proper off-leash session elsewhere in the area.

Getting there

The reserve sits on Belmont Crescent, with on-street parking in the surrounding streets. Montmorency Station on the Hurstbridge line is walkable, which makes it a feasible train-and-lead option for locals.

More walks nearby

For off-lead time, Malcolm Blair Reserve Fenced Dog Park in Greensborough is the closest fully fenced option, and the Montmorency sports ovals come off-lead when matches are not on. For a coffee either side of the walk, The Monty Pantry & Cafe and New Neighbour Coffee are both local and welcoming.

More options are on the Victoria dog park guide and the Montmorency destination page.