Upper Sturt Fenced Dog Park

Upper Sturt Fenced Dog Park is a fully enclosed off-leash run at 189 Sturt Valley Road in the Adelaide Hills, managed by Adelaide Hills Council. Its main draw is security: a complete perimeter fence and double-gate entry in a quiet Hills setting, well away from traffic.

The dog run

This is not a grassy park. The enclosure sits on a converted hardcourt, an old tennis court surface with a bitumen base, so bring a ball that bounces predictably and expect fast turnover games. Shade from native trees and a few benches cover the comfort side.

There is no reliable dedicated pet water station, so carry your own water and a bowl. Effective control applies even inside the fence, both gates must be shut before the next opens, and standard on-lead rules apply on the surrounding roads and verges. Waste bags are your responsibility too, as the bins here service a small local catchment and can fill on weekends. Sundays tend to be the busiest stretch, so midweek visits are calmer.

Worth knowing

That bitumen base is the park's weak point in summer. It absorbs and radiates heat, and can be painful or unsafe for paws on a hot afternoon, so test the surface with the back of your hand and aim for early morning or evening visits in warm weather.

Max: bitumen in January is a paw cooker. We go at 7am or not at all, and the water bottle comes every time.

Getting there and parking

The park sits at the junction of Sturt Valley Road and Ironbank Road, reached via Sturt Valley Road from Stirling or the southern suburbs, with on-site parking. Public transport through Upper Sturt is very limited, so a car is the practical option.

While you're out there

If your dog wants more room, Wright Road Fenced Dog Park in Stirling has a larger footprint with separate areas, and the on-lead Evelyn Halliday Reserve suits a slower bushland walk.

Marshi's Kitchen in Stirling does dog-friendly alfresco seating, and Lones Hut covers a pet-friendly Hills overnight. More options sit in the South Australia dog parks guide and on the Upper Sturt destination page.