Kiewa River Walking Track

The Kiewa River Walking Track at Killara is a flat riverside loop a few minutes east of Wodonga, threading through river red gums and open wetlands beside the free-flowing Kiewa River. The core route is a 3km loop that starts at the Killara picnic area, with a shorter 0.8km wetland meander if you only have time for a leg stretch, and it connects into a wider network of more than 24km of trails through the Kiewa River regional parklands.

Leash status

Dogs are welcome on the track but must stay on lead, and Parklands Albury Wodonga is firm about it through spring and summer when snakes are active along the reeds and riverbanks. The wetland edges are prime habitat for waterbirds, so a short lead near the bank matters. Carry bags and take waste out with you.

Pepsi: a flowing river right beside the track is the best part. Let your dog wade the shallows on lead so the waterbirds keep their distance.

Water and terrain

The track is earthen and mostly flat with occasional uneven patches, so it suits older dogs and prams as well as keen walkers. The river runs alongside for most of the route and locals swim and fish in the deeper stretches, though the river water is not safe for dogs to drink. Interpretive signs about the area's Indigenous culture mark the trailhead and route.

Getting there and parking

From Wodonga, drive east towards Bandiana and Killara, roughly 5 to 10 minutes. The main access is the Killara picnic area off the Murray Valley Highway just before the Kiewa River bridge, with parking on both sides of the road near the bridge and the trailhead signed from there.

Worth knowing

Summer heat in this corner of Victoria gets extreme, so carry drinking water for both ends of the lead and go early. After heavy rain, check the Parklands Albury Wodonga site for flood updates, because the free-flowing river can turn sections muddy or close them entirely during high water. Bring your own water bowl since facilities at the picnic area are basic.

When to go

Spring and autumn are the sweet spot, with mild weather and the best birdwatching. Weekend mornings see the heaviest foot traffic, so weekday mornings are the quietest window for a dog who prefers calm. Dawn and dusk in summer are also when snakes are most active, another reason to keep the lead short.

More walks nearby

For an off-lead run afterwards, Killara Off Leash Non-Fenced Dog Area sits in the same parklands, and Belvoir Park Dog Park back in Wodonga is fenced. The Brekkie Box makes a solid post-walk coffee stop on the drive home.

More options are on the Victoria dog-friendly trails guide and the Killara destination page.