Thomas Oval Fenced Dog Park

Thomas Oval is a fully fenced, double-gated off-leash park at the southern end of Como Park, on the banks of the Yarra at 308-312 Alexandra Avenue. It is the pick in South Yarra when you want a secure run rather than voice-control parkland, and the split into an active zone and a calmer quiet zone means small or shy dogs are not swamped by the rushers.

The dog setup

Off-leash applies inside the fence only; the surrounding Como Park parkland is on-lead, so clip up before you leave the gates. Entry runs through airlock-style double gates, close the first behind you before opening the second. Stonnington requires dogs under effective control with a leash carried at all times, and waste bins sit outside the enclosures. Inside there is a drinking fountain with a fillable dog bowl, bench seating that runs short when busy, and natural play features: a feature redgum log, a boulder-strewn dry riverbed and native planting. Council planning documents flag the agility features as intended for dogs over 12 months. The oval is floodlit, so it stays usable into the evening, and there are no toilets inside the fence.

Max: after heavy rain the riverside ground gets soggy and the Yarra can rise. Check the surface before you let a young dog loose on the boulders.

Getting there and parking

Street parking along Alexandra Avenue is limited, with a Como Park car park nearby. The 58 tram along Toorak Road is a short walk and South Yarra Station is roughly 15 to 20 minutes on foot. The Capital City Trail runs past the gate, so the park folds neatly into a river walk or ride.

Close by with the dogs

Como Park Dog Off Leash Area covers the unfenced parkland option and Fawkner Park Off-Leash Area adds broad open space nearby. For coffee, Aura espresso bar in Prahran is a short hop away.

More options are on the Victoria dog parks guide and the South Yarra destination page.