George Woods Reserve Dog Off Leash Area

George Woods Reserve Dog Off Leash Area runs along Mordialloc Creek off Governor Road in Mordialloc, a large open grassed bowl that doubles as a launch point for the creek trail. It is well equipped for a council reserve, with public toilets, a dog drinking station, picnic shelters with electric barbecues and a big nautical-themed playground, but the unfenced boundary is the thing to respect.

The dog setup

Off-leash applies on the main open grassed area between Bertram Street and Percy Street, with your dog under effective voice and hand control at all times. There is no secure fence: the northern edge borders busy Governor Road, and the southern side drops towards Mordialloc Creek, so honest recall is the price of entry here. On the paved shared trails through the reserve, around the playground and near the boat ramp, dogs go back on lead. Bags and bins are provided and cleanup is expected.

Worth knowing

Two genuine watch-outs: Governor Road traffic along the open edge, and the creek itself, which is open water for a dog that launches on sight. If recall is a maybe, keep a long line on near the road side. The playground, barbecue shelters and boat ramp make it a popular family spot, so expect company on weekends. Mornings and late afternoons are the busy windows; a weekday mid-morning leaves the grass mostly clear.

Max: no fence and a main road on one side means recall is doing all the work here. Long line near Governor Road if there is any doubt.

Getting there and parking

Set your GPS to George Woods Reserve off Governor Road; parking is ample, including the boat-ramp car park by the creek. Mordialloc station on the Frankston line is a 15 to 20 minute walk, about 1.2 kilometres, and the reserve links directly into the Mordialloc Creek Trail for walkers and cyclists heading towards the beach and pier.

Close by with the dogs

For a secure run, Kevin Hayes Dog Park in Mordialloc comes with its own coffee van, and Iluka Reserve Fenced Dog Park is the fenced option down the coast. The Mordi Canteen near the beach end handles the coffee afterwards.

More options are on the Victoria dog parks guide and the Mordialloc destination page.