Oddies Creek Leash Free Area

Oddies Creek Park runs off Union Road in South Albury, open grassland on the bank of the Murray River. It is a designated leash-free area with river access, which makes it a proper run-and-swim spot rather than a fenced pen, and it doubles as the Murray-side picnic stop for the Albury riverfront.

The dog setup

The parkland is off-leash and your dog stays under effective voice control the whole time. Re-clip the lead around the children's playground and the barbecue areas. The leash-free grass runs unfenced along the riverbank, so this suits a dog with reliable recall rather than a bolter. AlburyCity asks owners to pick up after their dogs, and bins are provided, though carry spare bags in case they are full.

The water

Natural riverbank access lets dogs wade and splash, which is the difference between this and every plain reserve in the suburb. The Murray carries real current, so keep an eye on any dog heading in and call back a keen swimmer that starts pushing out toward the flow. In low water the bank can be steep or muddy at the edges, so choose your entry.

Worth knowing

Amenities are the strongest part of the package: shaded trees, open green space, drinking fountains, picnic tables, sheltered BBQ areas and public toilets. That combination makes it an easy whole-morning stop for travellers crossing the Hume, not just a quick leg-stretch.

Getting there and parking

Drive in at the end of Union Road, easily reached from central Albury and the Hume Highway by following the riverfront signs. Parking is generally ample, and the riverfront path network lets you extend the outing on lead in either direction, north toward the Albury CBD or south along the playing fields.

Close by with the dogs

For a fenced alternative, Logan Road Park in North Albury gives you a secure run when the riverbank is too open for your dog. Both Meraki Kitchen and Ebden & Olive Cafe sit close enough to pair the park with a coffee.

More options are on the NSW dog friendly parks guide and the South Albury destination page.