If you’re looking for a dog-friendly walk in Melbourne for a fun outing with your pup, there’s plenty of options to choose from. Whether you’d prefer an inner city walk, a bayside walk or a track in a bushland reserve, there’s no shortage of excellent walks that allow dogs. There’s even some off-leash dog walks! Take your pick from these dog-friendly walks in Melbourne…
#1 Albert Park Lake Loop, Albert Park
Distance: 4.8km loop
Difficulty: Easy paved & gravel path
On-leash all the way
One of the most popular dog-friendly walks closer to the centre of Melbourne is the loop around Albert Park and its lake. However, if like me you’re visiting when the Grand Prix is being held, plus at least a week either side, forget about visiting this precinct with your dog, which instead is converted into a racing track.
During the rest of the year, you can enjoy the easy paved path that loops around the shores of the lake, with great views of the city skyline. The flat easy route is a combination of paved and gravel shared paths. Make sure you always keep your dog on a leash – it’s popular with runners, plus you’ll likely encounter plenty of birds.
#2 Dights Fall Track, Yarra Bend Park, Fairfield
Distance: 4km return
Difficulty: Easy-medium bush track
Off-leash most of the way
It’s just 4km northeast of Melbourne’s CBD to Yarra Bend Park, the largest area of natural bushland left in the inner suburbs of Melbourne. Located along both banks of the Yarra River, dogs are allowed in most parts of the park, including most walking tracks and multiple off-leash areas.
A great walk to complete with dogs is the Dights Fall Track. Starting from the carpark near Studley Park Boathouse in the south of the park, firstly cross Kanes Bridge then turn left. I was surprised to be greeted almost immediately with a sign showing this is an off-leash area. This applies to nearly the entire track, except for the very end at Dights Falls.
The track is mainly dirt and gravel, following the edge of the river. It’s relatively flat, but does climb at times. A popular swimming spot for dogs along the way is Deep Rock, the site of a former swimming club.
Just before you reach Dights Falls, you’ll leave behind the Yarra Bend Park and enter Dights Falls Reserve, with picnic facilities and a water fountain. Right next to the weir, dogs might struggle with the mesh covering over it. Return by the same track, or follow part of the Main Yarra Trail back to your starting point.
#3 Bay Trail, St Kilda to Brighton
Distance: 10km return
Difficulty: Easy-medium paved path
On-leash all the way, but off-leash beaches
The Bay Trail is a long distance shared use path for both pedestrians and cyclists that follows the shoreline of Port Phillip Bay. Largely flat and mostly paved, it extends all the way from West Gate Bridge to Seaford, with no shortage of great smaller stretches to walk with your dog.
One of the most popular sections to walk with dogs is the 5km stretch in between St Kilda Pier and Sandown Street Dog Beach in Brighton. Most of the trail along this section is divided into separate paths for cyclists and pedestrians (and dogs), making it a lot safer for walking your dog.
There’s plenty of beaches along the way. Between November and March, check the signage for which beaches allow dogs (including the eastern end of St Kilda Beach and Brighton Dog Beach, plus some beaches where dogs are allowed in the morning).
If you complete this walk between April and October, dogs are allowed on all the beaches. There’s also an excellent fenced dog park near the St Kilda Marina, the MO Moran Reserve. On the actual path, always keep your dog leashed (even when next to an off-leash beach) – there’s plenty of signs about this!
If this 10km return walk is too long for your pup, simply turn around earlier when you and your dog have had enough, or start at a different point, such as the carpark at Point Ormond, a popular spot to watch the sunset. There’s multiple cafes along the route, including the beachfront Elwood Bathers, where dogs are welcome on their terrace.
#4 Gardiners Creek Reserve Loop, Burwood
Distance: 3km loop
Difficulty: Easy mainly gravel path
Off-leash all the way
For a fun dog-friendly walk in the eastern suburbs of Melbourne head to Gardiners Creek Reserve in Burwood. This bushland reserve lies upon either side of Gardiners Creek, with dogs allowed off-leash throughout the reserve, except for on the adjacent playing fields and a fenced-off regeneration area.
The longer Gardiners Creek Trail passes through the reserve, continuing alongside the creek in either direction, but for a great 3km-long off-leash walk just stay within the reserve, in between Burwood Highway and Station Street. Walking tracks on both sides of the river allow you to complete a loop.
The tracks are mainly dirt and gravel, with a few shorter paved sections. Select from multiple access point on either side. At Burwood Highway, there’s an underpass to cross the creek, separate from the highway. But make sure you leash your dog when crossing the creek at Station Street.
#5 The Tan Track, Melbourne
Distance: 3.9km loop
Difficulty: Easy mainly gravel path
On-leash all the way
Another popular walking and running track in inner city Melbourne is The Tan Track. Constructed in the early 1900s as a horse-riding track, it loops around the Royal Botanic Gardens and Kings Domain, partially following the southern bank of the Yarra River.
The 3.9km track is mainly gravel, dating back to its days a horse-riding track, although the section that climbs Anderson Street is these days paved. Generally the path is followed in a clockwise direction, with the official starting point opposite the Pillars of Wisdom on Alexandra Avenue.
Dogs need to be kept leashed at all times on this busy track. It’s also possible to detour through the Royal Botanic Gardens for part of the walk, instead of keeping to the footpath.
#6 Westerfolds Park Loop, Templestowe
Distance: 4.8km
Difficulty: Easy-medium paved path
On-leash all the way
There are multiple bushland reserves located along the Yarra River as it passes through Melbourne, connected by the Main Yarra Trail. Quite a way further upstream from Yarra Bend Park is Westerfolds Park, on the edge of Templestowe.
The park is a popular place to spot kangaroos within Melbourne, but is also a great spot for a woodland walk. Probably the best walking trail is the Westerfolds Park Loop, that loops for 4.8km around the whole park, passing through stands of riverine woodland and past a section of rapids on the Yarra.
Start from either the Porter Street or Westerfold Ridge picnic areas and carparks. This walking track is entirely paved and largely flat, with a few gentle climbs. Dogs need to stay on a leash at all times, particularly due to the kangaroos in the reserve – extra signs request that you don’t allow your dog to approach the kangaroos.
A section of the path is shared with the Main Yarra Trail, but the directions for the loop track are always clearly signposted.
#7 Finns Reserve to Westerfolds Park Walk, Templestowe
Distance: 5.6km loop
Difficulty: Easy-medium paved path
On-leash all the way
Another great walk that I’ve discovered in the area starts at Finns Reserve, just downstream from Westerfolds Park. This 5.6km walk combines a section of the Main Yarra Trail with a shortened loop around Westerfolds Park. In particular, the walk spends more time along the river, crossing two bridges. It was magical on the foggy morning that I walked it.
Download the Fitness at Finns – Finns Reserve to Westerfolds Park Walk for directions, although skip the instructions for fitness stations (unless you’re keen!)
The walk starts at the carpark at the end of Woods Street at Finns Reserve. It crosses over the Ruffey Trail Suspension Bridge, joining with the Main Yarra Trail. It then continues over another bridge to enter Westerfolds Park, continuing to the rapids observation point, then cutting back through the park. Loop back to the Main Yarra Trail, then retrace your path to Finns Reserve.
The majority of the path is paved, except for part of the section cutting back through Westerfolds Park, which is a dirt track. There are also a few points where you can walk along a dirt track with your dog closer to the banks of the river, instead of on the main trail. Dogs need to be kept leashed, except if you walk through Finns Reserve.
#8 Finns Reserve Loop, Lower Templestowe
Distance: 1.85km loop
Difficulty: Easy paved & dirt path
Off-leash all the way
Speaking of allowing dogs off-leash, if you’re instead looking for an off-leash walk with your dog, consider a loop through Finns Reserve. Dogs are allowed off-leash right throughout this reserve, except in the Wombat Bend Playspace, which is luckily fenced, and near the BBQ area.
Start from the car parking spaces at the end of Woods Street or the larger carpark in the centre of the reserve. Firstly follow the paved path that follows the banks of the Yarra River. Glimpses of the river are visible at times through the thick stands of riverine Eucalyptus trees.
Once you reach Templestowe Road, loop back on the path on the other side of the reserve, which is mainly a gravel path. There are also some gravel paths criss-crossing across the reserve.
#9 Maribyrong River Trail, Maribyrong & Aberfeldie
Distance: 4.1km loop
Difficulty: Easy paved path
On-leash all the way
The Yarra River is not the only major river that flows through Melbourne – to the west lies the Maribyrnong River, which joins the Yarra in Yarraville. This river also has a trail along much of its length, the Maribyrnong River Trail.
A great section of the the Maribyrnong River Trail to walk with your dog is the stretch through the suburbs of Maribyrong and Aberfeldie, in between the Afton Street Pedestrian Bridge and the bridge at Raleigh Road. Along this stretch there are flat paved shared paths on both banks of the river.
Start this loop walk anywhere along it – there are multiple parks with carpark along the way, as well as on-street parking. Then complete the loop making use of both bridges. Note that there are no bridges in between to shorten the loop.
Dogs need to be kept on a leash at all times along the shared path, with multiple signs to remind you. There are a few off-leash dog parks though just off the route. Head to either Aberfeldie Park or Chifley Drive Reserve for some off-leash fun with your pup.
#10 Jawbone Bay Trail, Williamstown
Distance: 6.4km return
Difficulty: Easy-medium mostly paved path
On-leash all the way
While the shoreline of Port Phillip Bay to the west isn’t home to a trail as popular at the Bay Trail on the eastern side (see above), there are still sections of bayside trail, including a shared path linking Williamstown and Altona (that is currently cut off due to a closed bridge).
For a shorter walk, consider following the Jawbone Bay Trail, a 6.4km long out-and-back trail that starts at the carpark in between Williamstown Beach and Gloucester Reserve. The trail passes through Bayview Reserve and the extensive Jawbone Conservation Reserve, before turning back at JT Gray Reserve.
The main trail is paved the whole way, although the side branch into Jawbone Conservation Reserve is a dirt track until you reach the boardwalk. Dogs need to be kept leashed along the length of the trail, however they are allowed off-leash in Gloucester Reserve, where it starts.
#11 Princes Park Loop, Carlton North
Distance: 3.2km loop
Difficulty: Easy paved path
On-leash all the way, with some off-leash areas adjacent
Another great park to walk around in inner City Melbourne, this time in the north of Melbourne, is Princes Park. Originally proclaimed as a park in 1873, the park is best known as the location of Ikon Park, the home of the Carlton Football Club. But it is also home to a great walking and running track.
The walking and running track that follows the edge of the park is a gravel path, with a paved path also running outside of this track – a great alternative on muddy days. Dogs need to be kept leashed on the actual path (which can get busy), but there are a number of off-leash areas in the park that are popular with local dog owners.
One off-leash area is located in the north of the park, immediately south of the bowling club. There is also a second area at the very south of the park, surrounding (but not including) Crawford Oval. The park is also home to plenty of water fountains along the way.
#12 Lillydale Lake Loop, Lilydale
Distance: 2.6km loop
Difficulty: Easy mostly gravel path
On-leash all the way, with some off-leash areas adjacent
Lillydale Lake is a wonderful park located on the northeastern edge of Melbourne, a great spot to visit on the way to the Yarra Valley with your dog or just for a day out. The 28 hectare artificial lake (constructed to stop flooding of Olinda Creek) is surrounded by 10km of shared trails, including the popular Lillydale Lake Loop.
The main starting point for this 2.6km loop is the carpark on the eastern side of the lake, just off Swansea Road, although you can also walk to the reserve and join the loop from Lilydale Railway Station. The loop walk is a mostly flat wide gravel path, with the option to extend your walk on the other paths in the reserve.
Dogs need to be kept leashed on the track, but there are two off-leash areas adjacent to the walk. One is located south of the carpark, before you reach the wetlands areas. There is also a second area north of the dam wall that is very popular. It’s home to a dog obstacle course and there is access to the creek for dogs to swim.
More Dog-Friendly Walks Near Melbourne
There’s plenty more dog-friendly walks not far from Melbourne. Consider any of these walks…
- Flinders Peak at You Yangs
- Daylesford Lake Circuit at Daylesford
- Camels Hump at Macedon Ranges
- Hike to Toorongo and Amphitheatre Falls, a dog-friendly waterfall
- Balcombe Estuary Nature Trail at Mornington Peninsula
Many of these walks are detailed in my guide to the top dog-friendly short walks in Victoria.
You May Also Like
- Best Dog-Friendly Days Out Around Melbourne
- Top Dog-Friendly Short Walks in Victoria
- How to Go Hiking with Your Dogs in Australia
About the Author
Shandos Cleaver is the founder of Travelnuity: Dog-Friendly Travel. She has travelled extensively with her Miniature Dachshund, Schnitzel, including to 33 countries across Europe, every state and territory of Australia except Tasmania, and 10 of the United States. She’s passionate about providing inspiration and information to others wanting to travel with their dogs, whether close to home or internationally.