Apex Dog Park

Apex Dog Park sits on the banks of the Ross River in Rasmussen, with the entrance opposite 1255 Riverway Drive. The setup is unusual and worth understanding before you go: the park and roadside side is fenced, but the river side is deliberately open, giving dogs direct access down to the water for a swim. It is a swim park as much as a run park.

The dog setup

The area is a designated Townsville City Council off-leash zone, open around the clock, with the usual requirements: effective voice control at all times, lead on before you enter and after you leave, and immediate removal of any dog causing trouble. Waste goes in the bins and holes get filled in. The catch is the riverbank. It is unfenced, so a dog with patchy recall needs a lead or very close supervision near the water, and the current after rain can be stronger than it looks. Stick to the designated area to protect the sensitive riverside habitat, and bring your own water and bowl because taps are limited or unreliable.

For humans there is a bitumen carpark with wheelchair-accessible parking, an elevated walkway and viewing platform, lighting, barbecues, picnic spots and basic seating.

The vibe

This is a locals' park on the Upper Ross rather than a tourist stop, and water dogs love it. Strong swimmers get a proper river session while the more cautious stick to the grass. Early mornings and late afternoons are the go in the tropics, both for temperature and for company. After heavy rain the Ross River rises, flows harder and leaves the bank muddy, so check conditions before unleashing even a confident swimmer.

Getting there and parking

The park sits on Riverway Drive near the bend in the river, close to Riverway Plaza in Rasmussen, roughly 15 minutes from central Townsville. Parking is the on-site bitumen carpark. Translink buses run along Riverway Drive, but this is essentially a drive-in park unless you live nearby.

Pair it with

If the river is running high, the alternatives are Murray Park Fenced Dog Park at Annandale and Jabiru Park Dog Park at Condon, both nearby. For coffee after a swim, the Wally Wombat Cafe at Kelso is a short drive up Riverway Drive, and Cafe at Riverway next to Riverway Plaza has a local name for welcoming dogs outside, though it is worth confirming the policy on the day.

More options are on the Queensland dog parks guide and the Rasmussen destination page.