Sebastopol Dog Park

Sebastopol Dog Park is a fully fenced, off-leash community park on Grant Street, a few minutes south of Ballarat's centre. It is a proper built dog park rather than a scrap of reserve: a circular walking track, grassy running space, mature trees and large boulders for dogs to climb or owners to sit on.

The dog setup

Entry runs through a double-gate system, so close the first gate before opening the second; the gate area is where a keen dog slips out while you are arriving or leaving. Dogs stay under effective voice control once inside and you are expected to carry a leash, with City of Ballarat rules against rushing or worrying other park users. Bins are provided for waste.

Dog drinking stations sit inside the park, along with bench and boulder seating and a wheelchair-accessible entrance. Muddy patches develop after rain, particularly around the gates and the hill, so towel and boots are smart in winter.

The vibe

This is a local community park with a loyal regular crowd. Saturday mornings and Wednesday evenings draw the most dogs, which suits social animals; reactive dogs do better in the weekday mid-morning and early-afternoon lulls. It backs onto M.R. Power Reserve, which adds public toilets, a playground, skate park and BBQs if you are making a longer family stop.

Getting there and parking

The park sits directly on Grant Street (A300) with free off-street parking right beside it. Bus stops on Albert Street and Grant Street are within walking distance if you are coming from Ballarat without a car.

While you're out there

For more walking, the Yarrowee River Trail starts nearby, and in Ballarat Central the dog-friendly Hop Temple works for a post-park drink. Travelling with the dog overnight? Woodmanshill Motel & Caravan Park is close to the highway.

More options are in the Victoria dog friendly parks guide and on the Sebastopol destination page.