Yarra Bend Park

Yarra Bend Park is the largest area of natural bushland left in inner Melbourne, wrapping the river through Kew, Fairfield and Abbotsford. For dog owners it is one of the best pieces of ground in the city, with river swimming and ten off-lead zones. It also contains places dogs may not go at all, and one of them, Galatea Point, is easy to walk into by accident.

The walk. The main park loop runs about 8.7 kilometres and rates moderate, a mix of sealed shared path and unsealed riverbank track with genuine climbs where the trail leaves the water. The Main Yarra Trail runs through it, so you can join or leave at a dozen points. Shorter pieces of the same country have their own pages: Wurundjeri Spur Lookout takes in the escarpment above the river, Abbotsford to Royal Botanic Gardens via the Main Yarra Trail heads downstream, Abrahams Reserve via the Merri Creek Track follows the creek that meets the Yarra at Dights Falls, and Darebin Parklands and the Darebin Creek Trail pick up the next valley.

The rules. Parks Victoria allows a maximum of four dogs per person, and commercial dog trainers need a Tour Operator Licence. Most of the park is on lead. Dogs are not allowed at all at Galatea Point, the Fairlea Netball Courts, the golf courses, or in any playground, and not on sports grounds or facilities during any sporting event or function. Galatea Point is the one to have in your head before you set out: it sits on an attractive bend of the river and nothing about the ground announces it. Read the signage. The off-lead areas are Merri Creek Valley and Escarpment Picnic Area, Andrews Reserve, Deep Rock, Deep Rock East, Westfield, Wills St Lookout, Lower Loop Picnic Area, Dights Falls Loop Trail, Corben Oval and the Fairlea Sports Precinct excluding the netball courts, off-lead only when not in use for sport or events. Carry a lead even in those zones and keep your dog under effective control. Rangers patrol and issue fines.

Water. Dogs can swim in the Birrarung at Deep Rock, which is the designated spot and the reason half the park's regulars are there. After heavy rain the river runs fast and the banks get slick, so pick your day.

Hazards. Snakes, and Parks Victoria does not soften this. They are described as surprisingly common in the park, especially near water and thick vegetation, and snakebite poisons a dog quickly and is often fatal. Keep your dog close, keep it off-lead only in the designated zones, and stay on short grass. There is also a flying-fox colony near Dights Falls and the Fairfield bank, so keep dogs away from the roost and anything on the ground beneath it. Steep riverbank tracks and a busy shared path with cyclists round out the list.

Getting there. Main car access is via Studley Park Road, Kew, with parking at the Studley Park Boathouse loops. Fairfield and Alphington stations are a short walk from the northern side, and the Main Yarra Trail brings you in on foot or by bike. Adjoining council land is City of Yarra and City of Boroondara, each with its own rules.

Nearby with the dogs. Off-leash council reserves ring the park: T H Westfield Reserve, Victoria Park in Kew, Willsmere Park and Quarries Park. Fairfield Park Boathouse and Tea Gardens sits on the river at the northern end, Willo Cafe is in Kew, Barry's Garage takes dogs, and MainStay Suites Kew is the closest pet-friendly bed.

When to go. Weekday mid-morning, once the commuter cyclists have cleared. Autumn and winter are the pick, both for cooler walking and because snake activity drops away. Good for big runners who want distance and a swim in the same outing.

Sources

• Yarra Bend Park dog walking fact sheet - Parks Victoria · www.parks.vic.gov.au
• Yarra Bend Park - Parks Victoria · www.parks.vic.gov.au
• Yarra Bend Park Loop - AllTrails · www.alltrails.com

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