Brimbank Park

Brimbank Park fills a deep bend of the Maribyrnong River about fifteen kilometres north west of Melbourne, a valley of grassland, rocky escarpment and old river red gums that feels removed from the suburbs above it. There is more than ten kilometres of track in the park and dogs are welcome on all of it, on lead. It is a trailhead as much as a destination, because the Maribyrnong River Trail starts here and runs all the way to Footscray.

The dog setup

The main circuit runs about 9.3 kilometres and rates moderate, a little over two hours at walking pace. Most paths through the park are sealed and shared, wide enough for bikes and walkers together, with gentle grades along the river and steeper climbs where the trail leaves the valley floor. If 9 km is too much in one go, the sealed network makes it easy to build a shorter out-and-back along the water and save the escarpment for another day.

Leash status

Parks Victoria requires dogs on leash at all times throughout Brimbank Park, and there are no off-lead areas anywhere inside it. Two zones are fully closed to dogs: the Kulin Wetlands and the playgrounds. Everyone must stay on the formed tracks through the grassland and wetland areas, which is a conservation rule rather than a courtesy. If your dog needs an off-lead run afterwards, Green Gully Reserve Fenced Dog Park is a short drive away in Keilor.

Water, terrain and hazards

Parks Victoria flags three hazards and all three matter with a dog. Snakes are active in the park, and the grassland and riverbanks are exactly their habitat, so keep the lead short in long grass in the warm months. River crossings may flood and become unsafe after rain upstream; do not test one that is running. And the shared trail has steep sections where a dog pulling downhill can take you with it. Bring your own water, since the taps serve the picnic areas rather than the far reaches of the loop.

Max: If the river is up, the crossing loses. There is always another way round.

Getting there and parking

The main entrance and car parks sit off Keilor Park Drive, with picnic areas, toilets and the playground close by. Vehicle access is limited to formed open roads, and there are gates in use, so check closing times in summer before you plan a late walk. Weekday mornings are the quietest window.

While you are out there

The 25 km Maribyrnong River Trail heads downstream towards Footscray if the loop is not enough, and the Stadium Drive Off-leash Dog Park gives another release option on the Keilor Park side. If the walk runs long, The East Pantry in Keilor East does a solid breakfast close by. More options across the state sit on the Victoria trails guide, and the surrounding suburb is covered on the Keilor destinations page.