Yarralumla Dog Park

Yarralumla Dog Park at 88 Banks Street is one of Canberra's best-used fenced off-leash parks, sitting near Yarralumla Bay with the lake path a short stroll away. It is purpose-built: secure perimeter fencing, double gates, and separate enclosures for big and small dogs, which is why it draws a loyal crowd from across the inner south. The regulars are famously friendly, and a coffee van often sets up on weekend mornings while the dogs do the networking.

The dog setup

Two generously sized fenced runs split large and small dogs, so timid or older dogs get a session without the scrum. Water taps and bowls, shaded seating, bins and bag dispensers are on site, though the water station can run dry at peak times and it pays to carry a backup. ACT rules apply: stay in the park with your dog in sight and within voice-control range, leash up and leave immediately if aggression flares, supervise children around unfamiliar dogs, and pick up waste. Bitches on heat and unvaccinated puppies are not permitted.

Max: Weekends get crowded fast here, and a tightly packed fenced park is not the place for a dog that gets uneasy in a scrum. If that's your dog, a weekday morning is a much calmer session.

The vibe

Saturday and Sunday mornings draw a genuine crowd, brilliant for social dogs and hard work for shy ones. Weekday mornings and late afternoons are the quiet windows. The ground turns muddy after rain, so a towel in the boot is wise in winter. Natural shade exists but is not extensive on hot days.

Getting there and parking

Access is via Banks Street, with free parking along the park edge. It sits centrally enough for an easy detour from most of the inner south, and the lake cycleway runs close by for a longer loop before or after the run.

Close by with the dogs

The Lake Burley Griffin loop passes nearby for an on-lead cool-down. In Yarralumla village, Beess & Co Cafe has a shaded dog-friendly courtyard, and Farmers Daughter on Bentham Street welcomes dogs at the outdoor tables. Browse more parks in ACT or the full Yarralumla dog guide.