Candlebark Walk Reserve

Candlebark Walk Reserve is a shaded bushland loop around a small lake in the Croydon Hills estate, easily linked from the surrounding streets and good for a steady 30 to 45 minute circuit with birdlife the whole way. The loop runs about 2.3 kilometres, flat and easy underfoot, and it is the calm, on-leash kind of walk that suits dogs who prefer a job to do over a chance to run.

The walk

A gravelled and bitumen path circles the lake and links out to the surrounding streets, with wide sections on one side and standard footpaths on the other. It is pram and wheelchair friendly, and a few bridges cross the water's edge where the kids' playground sits nearby. Expect ducks, water birds and the occasional echidna sighting; the reserve is one of the more reliable places in Maroondah to spot native wildlife up close.

Leash status

Dogs must stay on-leash for the entire reserve, no exceptions for the lake edge or the gravel loop. Maroondah City Council requires effective control by chain, cord or leash, and owners pick up immediately; bag stations sit at the entry points. Bikes and horses are not permitted on the paths either, which keeps the trail calmer for on-leash walking than most shared trails.

Water and terrain

The terrain is flat gravel and bitumen with boardwalk-style bridges, so it holds up well after rain except for the low spots near the lake. There is no drinking tap noted for dogs, so bring your own water on a warm day. Park benches dot the loop and picnic shelters and tables cover the human side, with bins at the main entries.

Hazards

The lake edge is the main watch-out, mostly because nesting water birds will hold their ground and a curious dog on a slack lead can cause trouble. Keep the lead short where the path hugs the water. The loop is otherwise low risk: no road crossings inside the reserve and good sight lines throughout.

Max: This one is on-leash the whole way round, including right along the lake edge where the water birds nest. Good if your dog needs a calmer job to do rather than a chance to run.

When to go

Early mornings and late afternoons bring out the local dog-walking regulars, and weekends are busiest around mid-morning. Midday on a weekday you will often have the lake to yourself. It is open around the clock, which makes it a reliable dawn walk in summer.

Getting there and parking

There is no dedicated car park; parking is on-street along Candlebark Walk and the surrounding residential streets, and most locals arrive on foot from the estate. Buses run along Croydon Road and past Brentnalls Road if you are coming from further afield.

While you're out there

The off-leash area at Narr-Maen Reserve is the nearby answer if your dog needs an actual run. For afterwards, The Scented Garden in Croydon keeps a heated, sheltered outdoor area for dogs, and Victoria House Motor Inn covers pet friendly stays in Croydon North if you are visiting from out of town.

More dog friendly trails in Victoria and the Croydon Hills guide are on PawScapes.