Lilydale Lake via Hull Road Wetlands

Lillydale Lake, at 435 Swansea Road about 40 kilometres east of Melbourne, is the kind of park that solves two problems at once: a flat, easy circuit for an hour of on lead walking, and two proper off leash areas when the lead needs to come off. Add the Hull Road Wetlands paths and the outing stretches to roughly 6 kilometres, with bird hides and Dandenong Ranges views along the way. Entry is free and the park is open around the clock.

The walk

The lake circuit is a flat gravel loop of 2.5 to 3 kilometres, easy underfoot for any fitness level and pram friendly. Branch off through the Hull Road Wetlands, where the paths wind past reed beds and bird hides, to build the day out to about 6 kilometres, or an hour and a half to two hours at a dog sniffing pace.

Leash status

On lead is the default: all paths around the lake, the picnic areas, the playground zone and the entire Hull Road Wetlands are leash territory under Yarra Ranges Council rules. The exceptions are the two designated off leash areas, North West and East, both open 24 hours, both signposted, and both covered in our separate listings. Dogs are never allowed inside the fenced Island Sanctuaries, which protect local wildlife, and bags are provided at the off leash zones even though cleaning up stays on you.

Water and terrain

Water stations sit in both off leash areas, and dogs may swim in the designated creek spots rather than the lake edge, which is not a swimming recommendation for anyone. Expect gravel and paved surfaces throughout, with mud after heavy rain. Shade is thin along the main circuit, so carry water in summer and plan the off leash hour for early morning on hot days.

Hazards

The paths are shared with cyclists moving at pace, so shorten the lead through the busy stretches near the car park and playground. Check current signage around the Hull Road side, where works adjacent to the railway corridor have closed portions before.

Pepsi: Head for the marked creek spots rather than the lake edge. That is where the splashing is actually allowed, and the water is better for it.

Getting there and parking

The main car park off Swansea Road is free and large but fills quickly on sunny weekends, so arrive early. Lilydale station is roughly a 20 minute walk, which makes this one of the more reachable dog walks on Melbourne's eastern fringe by public transport.

When to go

Weekday mornings are quiet; weekend middays are the congestion point. If the off leash areas are crowded, Lakeview Reserve is a fallback nearby, and the full run of choices is under Lilydale and Victoria's trails.