The best off-leash dog areas in Melbourne

Not far from the North Fitzroy café strip, these 140-year-old gardens are an ideal place to laze about with your pup. Roughly half of the park is designated dog off-leash, making it easy for your furry friend to meet new two-legged and four-legged friends.

You can find a map of the off-leash dog area sections here. 

Royal Park is the largest of Melbourne’s parks, covering 170 hectares. It offers three off-leash dog areas, and you can find the map which outlines these sections here. Make your way to the native grassland circle with your pup and after you've both grown tired of throwing a ball around, have a lie down in the circle together. 

Located just down the road from Princes Park, this elegant Carlton North park is a favourite among inner-north dog owners. It features a sizeable and fully enclosed off-leash dog area, as well as several public toilets and drinking fountains.

Dogs are welcome along the stretch of this beach that spans between Port Melbourne Yacht Club and Lagoon Pier. Take note that for environmental reasons, pets are always prohibited in the sensitive Perce White Reserve area. 

A huge 225 hectares of parkland takes in the areas around Albert Park and the Albert Park Lake – but did you know there are two off-leash areas too? Albert Park has two off-leash areas; the northern end near Albert Road and the area west of Aughtie Drive, near the sports fields. These areas are only off-leash when not being used for events or sport.

During winter, this beach allows off-leash dog access. Head there at low tide with your pup and run along the water together. There are heaps of weathered rocks and an old shipwreck you can explore, and afterwards, you can wash sandy feet and paws at the nearby showers. 

In the warmer months, your dog must be kept on a leash to protect conservation efforts for migratory birds. 

You'll find dogs of every breed running around at this popular park in the heart of Northcote. It also offers a skate park, basketball court, walking and bike tracks, kids park and barbecue area.  

Apex Park sits right on the water in Altona, with large open spaces and a small playground. You'll need to keep your dog leashed as you make your way into the park, but you'll soon hit the off-leash dog areas where your pup can run freely on the beach and grass. 

Victoria Gardens covers two hectares and has maintained some of its original Victorian character elements. Located in a residential area, the charming park is a great getaway from the bustling surrounding streets and is perfect for a picnic when the weather permits. There are many shady areas and water features with bowls so you can keep ensuring your dog doesn't get too much sun and is hydrated. 

It’s almost too good to be true: 33 hectares of parklands including a huge off-leash area, free electric barbecues, and on-leash walking trails – all only eight kilometres from the city. Enter either via Separation St, Alphington, or from Rockbeare Grove, Ivanhoe. For more directions, visit the website.

This 25km-long trail zigs and zags through parks, wetlands, Coburg Lake Reserve, the Brunswick Velodrome and CERES Community Environment Park (where you can stop for a coffee). As you dip down into the greenery following the creek, you’d barely know that bustling Brunswick and North Fitzroy were just around the corner. Dogs must be on-lead while on the shared trail but can go off-leash at W.H. Robinson Reserve and A.H. Capp Reserve.

With uninterrupted landscapes and manicured lawns, Fawkner Park is the perfect location to bask in the summer sun and a stunning spot to take your pup. After you've made your rounds, you can go for a stroll along the streets of South Yarra with your pup and do a bit of shopping. 

You can find a map of the off-leash areas here. 

You can take your best mate to see Brighton's famed beach boxes off lead between 7.30pm and 10am from November 1 to March 31, and off lead at all times between April 1 and October 31. Have a look at this map for all the details.