Mahon Reserve Dog Off Leash Area

Mahon Reserve at 44-52 Braeside Avenue, Ringwood North, is a large, mostly unfenced off-leash reserve under Maroondah City Council, built around two open grassy glades with bushland around the edges. It is a walking-and-running reserve rather than a fenced play park, so it suits a dog with reliable recall that wants open ground.

The rules. Dogs can be off-leash under effective voice control while in sight, but leads go back on within 15 metres of playgrounds, barbecues, picnic areas and organised sport, and at all times on the shared paved paths. Carry a lead even when your dog is off it. Greyhounds stay leashed at all times, and dog waste must be picked up and binned.

What's there. Two open ovals with mature trees for shade, a formed walking path (traversed on-lead), park benches and picnic seats, waste bins near the entry points, and a long car park along the northern side. There is no fencing, so treat the bush edges as the boundary.

Getting there. Turn onto Braeside Avenue off Warrandyte Road; parking is free along the car park off Braeside Avenue. Bus routes 364 and 370 run along Warrandyte Road, and Ringwood Station is the nearest rail with a connecting bus or a longer walk.

Nearby with the dogs. This Little Kitchen and other outdoor-seating cafes on the Warrandyte Road strip are a short drive off. Warrandyte's dog-friendly cafes are around 5 to 6 km away if you are making a longer loop of it.

Weekday mid-morning to early afternoon is the quiet window; weekday mornings, the 5pm to 7pm stretch and weekend mornings are busiest. Good for steady walkers and confident off-leash dogs, less so for a bolter.

Sources

• Mahon Reserve | Maroondah City Council · maroondah.vic.gov.au
• Off-leash dog parks and areas - Maroondah City Council · maroondah.vic.gov.au

Compiled from public sources and verified listings. Always confirm current rules with the venue or council before you travel.