Brimbank Park

Brimbank Park fills a deep bend of the Maribyrnong River fifteen kilometres north-west of the city, a valley of grassland, rocky escarpment and old River Red Gums that feels a long way from the suburbs above it. There is over ten kilometres of track here and dogs are welcome on all of it, on lead. The two places they may not go are the Kulin Wetlands and the playgrounds.

The walk. The main circuit runs about 9.3 kilometres and rates moderate, a little over two hours. Most of the paths through the park are sealed and shared, wide enough for bikes and walkers together, and the grade is gentle along the river and steep where the trail climbs out of the valley. If you want more, the Maribyrnong River Trail runs 25 kilometres from here to Footscray, so the park is a trailhead as much as a destination.

The rules. Parks Victoria requires dogs to be on a leash at all times throughout Brimbank Park, and there are no off-lead areas anywhere inside it. Dogs are not allowed within the Kulin Wetlands or the playgrounds. Everyone must stay on the formed tracks through the grassland and wetland areas, which is a conservation rule rather than a courtesy. Take your rubbish home, including cigarette butts. Horses are not permitted, and vehicles are restricted to formed open roads. The closest fenced off-leash ground is Green Gully Reserve, a short drive away in Keilor.

Hazards. Parks Victoria flags three things here and all three matter with a dog. Snakes are active in the park, and the grassland and riverbank are exactly the habitat for them. River crossings may be flooded and unsafe to cross, particularly after rain upstream. And there are steep sections on the shared trails where a dog pulling downhill can take you with it.

Water. Bring your own. The river has variable water quality and current, and there is no designated dog swimming spot here. The cafe at the visitor centre has indoor and outdoor seating, and there are free gas barbecues, shelters and picnic tables at the picnic grounds.

Wildlife. This is the reason to come early. Kangaroos and wallabies are regular, echidnas turn up, and the birdlife runs from crimson rosellas and galahs through to wedge-tailed eagles and large wetland birds. Brushtail and ringtail possums live in the big River Red Gums. A dog that chases will find plenty here, which is another argument for the lead.

Getting there. Vehicle access is from Keilor Park Drive, off the Western Ring Road, with large free car parks at picnic areas A, B and C. The park opens at 6am every day and closes at 5.30pm, extending to 8pm during daylight saving. Picnic areas A and B have been assessed for accessibility. Note that the male and female toilet blocks at Carpark B are closed for the foreseeable future, though the accessible block there and the facilities at A and C are open. Route 476 stops at Old Calder Freeway and Flora Street, but that leaves a walk of over a kilometre to the entrance, so driving is sensible. The park sits under the Melbourne Airport flight path, so expect aircraft noise throughout.

Nearby with the dogs. Beyond Green Gully, there is off-leash space at Spring Gully Reserve and J.H. Allan Reserve in Keilor East, Taylors Lakes Dog Park to the north, A J Davis Reserve at Airport West and Chifley Drive Reserve downstream at Maribyrnong. For coffee afterwards, Mister Hoffman and Matte Black are close, and StayCentral Moonee Ponds takes dogs.

When to go. Early on a weekday, when the kangaroos are still out and the trails are empty. Weekends and Sunday mornings are the busiest, with families, runners and the Saturday 8am parkrun. Snake activity peaks from October through May, so cooler months are easier with a dog. Good for big runners, and for anyone who wants wildlife twenty minutes from the city.

Sources

• Brimbank Park - Parks Victoria · www.parks.vic.gov.au
• Brimbank Park Visitor Guide - Parks Victoria · www.parks.vic.gov.au
• Dog parks - Brimbank City Council · www.brimbank.vic.gov.au
• Brimbank Park Walk - AllTrails · www.alltrails.com

Compiled from public sources and verified listings. Always confirm current rules with the venue or council before you travel.