Westerfolds Park

Westerfolds Park is 120 hectares of open parkland and river woodland on a bend of the Yarra at Templestowe, on the north eastern edge of Melbourne. It is one of the easiest big walks in the city to do with a dog, and one rule shapes everything here: the lead never comes off. The resident kangaroos are the reason.

The walk. The main circuit is the Westerfolds Loop Track, which Parks Victoria lists at 4.8 km; AllTrails maps a slightly shorter 4.2 km version at around an hour. Either way it is sealed, gently graded and walkable in any footwear, which is unusual for a park with this much bush in it. Westerfolds also sits on the Main Yarra Trail, so you can extend in either direction rather than repeat the loop. Downstream, Main Yarra Trail: Candlebark Park to Tikalara Park picks up the river corridor; upstream, Main Yarra Trail: Finns Reserve to Warrandyte runs on towards Warrandyte.

The rules. Parks Victoria manages Westerfolds as part of the Yarra Valley Parklands, and dogs must be on lead at all times, everywhere in the park. There is no off-lead corner and no quiet-hour exemption. The reason is grazing wildlife: mobs of eastern grey kangaroos feed on the open slopes, often close to the path, and wombats and echidnas use the same ground. A dog that chases here is a serious problem, for the wildlife and for the access every other owner depends on. Vehicle gates open early and close at 6 pm, later through daylight saving, so time the return leg rather than the outward one.

What it is like. The character of the place is open. Broad grassy slopes, scattered old gums and long sightlines down to the water, which means you can see other dogs coming from a hundred metres out and make your decisions early. That is worth a lot if you walk a dog that needs warning. The bush thickens along the river edge, where the path narrows and the surprises arrive closer.

Water. The Yarra runs along the northern edge of the park but it is not a dog swimming spot: the banks are steep and often slippery, and the current runs harder than it looks after rain. Carry water. The picnic areas at Westerfolds Ridge, Red Stringybark and Porter Street have toilets and shelters and make sensible turnaround points.

Hazards. Snakes use the grassland and the river edge in the warmer months, and Parks Victoria lists them alongside the more welcome wildlife here. Keep to the sealed path from October through March and you avoid most of the risk.

Getting there. The main entrance is on Fitzsimons Lane, with sealed car parks, toilets and picnic shelters inside the gates. Parking is free and fills on fine weekends.

Nearby with the dogs. Hermann Reserve Dog Off Leash Area and Templestowe Reserve Dog Off Leash Area are both minutes away when the lead needs to come off. Two Doors Cafe and Harry's Cafe & Deli handle the coffee, and Eltham Retreat Guest House is the closest bed.

When to go. Early morning or the last two hours of light, when the kangaroos are out and the paths are quiet. Autumn and winter are the best walking here; midsummer middays are exposed on the open slopes. Good for nervous walkers who want to see what is coming.

Sources

• Westerfolds Park | Parks Victoria · www.parks.vic.gov.au
• Dog friendly parks | Parks Victoria · www.parks.vic.gov.au
• Dogs on leash trails in Westerfolds Park · www.alltrails.com

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