Cyril Curtain Reserve Dog Off Leash Area

Cyril Curtain Reserve is a coastal off-leash reserve in Williamstown, running between Cole Street and the eastern side of the Williamstown Football Ground. It is a linear stretch of grass with bay views and a paved path through the middle, which means you can walk its whole length and keep your dog off-lead the entire way.

The dog setup

Dogs may be off-leash within the designated zone but must stay under effective voice or hand control and in sight at all times. Carry a leash even while your dog is running, and pick up using the bins on site, though they can be limited, so bring your own bags as backup. Keep dogs off the turf cricket pitches. This is Hobsons Bay City Council land, so signage on the day is the final word.

Pepsi: mind the beach boundary. It is very easy to drift from the reserve straight onto the sand without noticing, and in summer that sand is a no-dogs zone.

Worth knowing

The neighbouring Williamstown Beach has a firm seasonal ban: no dogs on the sand between 10am and 9.30pm from 1 November to 30 April, so the reserve becomes the place to be through the warmer months. There are drinking taps, a paved path, and picnic and BBQ facilities nearby. Because the reserve is linear, walking further toward the football club end usually finds room when the entrance end is busy.

Getting there and parking

The reserve sits near 1-13 Morris Street, with street parking along Morris Street and beside the football ground. Williamstown Beach station is a 10 to 15 minute walk, and the coastal track from Williamstown Beach connects on foot.

When to go

Weekday mid-mornings are the quietest, good for training or a nervous dog needing space. Weekend mornings and late afternoons, and weekday evenings around 5pm to 7pm, are the social peaks, and the reserve draws a crowd for the bay sunsets.

Close by with the dogs

If you want a secure run instead of voice control, Williamstown Fenced Dog Park is the suburb's enclosed option, and Gloucester Reserve is the other open off-lead space. Altona Beach's dog arena is a short drive west for proper sand time, and Crowded House covers the post-run coffee.

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