Perth Dog Exercise Area

The Perth Dog Exercise Area is a small fenced off-leash yard in the rural Tasmanian town of Perth, roughly 15 minutes south of Launceston on the Midland Highway. For anyone driving between Launceston and Longford or heading up the Midlands, it is a practical pull-over spot to let the dog stretch without straying far from the route.

The rules

Dogs may run off-leash inside the designated exercise area but go back on lead the moment you step outside the fence, and Northern Midlands Council expects voice control even within the enclosure. Bag dispensers and bins are on site, and cleaning up is non-negotiable.

The quiet town streets around the park are good for a lead-on leg either side, and the South Esk River runs just south of the main street for a sniffy stroll.

The dog setup

The yard is open grass with a rural feel, bench seating for owners and little natural shade. The fencing is rural ring-lock mesh rather than solid panels, so it will not suit every dog: check the perimeter and the gaps before unclipping if yours digs or squeezes.

Max: ring-lock is fine for most dogs, but do a perimeter walk first if yours is an escape artist. Stay near the gate until you are confident the boundary holds.

Getting there and parking

Turn off Main Road, which becomes High Street through town, onto Arthur Street, with the park at the corner of Arthur and Mulgrave Streets. Street parking sits on both streets, and buses along Main Road leave a short walk.

When to go

Weekday mid-mornings are quietest, with weekend mornings and late weekday afternoons busier. There is no reliable on-site tap water, so carry your own, particularly on warm days.

Close by with the dogs

Coronation Park Fenced Dog Park at Longford is the nearest similar setup, with Saddlers Reserve at Evandale and Hadspen Fenced Dog Park covering the other approaches to Launceston.

If you are staying in the district, the heritage-listed Brickendon Estate welcomes dogs, and Feast Tasmania on Perth's Main Road serves outdoor dining that generally suits a dog at the table, worth confirming on arrival.

More options are on the TAS parks guide.