Correction (4 October 2026): an earlier version of this page listed places and details we could not stand behind. It has been rewritten from scratch: every place below was confirmed at two independent sources on 4 October 2026.
An off-lead area is only off-lead where and when the council or park manager says so, and the sign at the gate settles it. This page lists six parks in and around Fairfield: two in Fairfield, one in Alphington, one in Clifton Hill and two in Northcote.
Each entry gives the official dog status first, as published by Parks Victoria, Yarra City Council or Darebin City Council, then what the park lists for facilities. Where a page does not print off-leash times, we say check the council order rather than guess.
Bring a lead and bags. None of these pages states an entry fee for the parks, and we have not called any of them free.
The quick picks
| If you’re after | Head to | Where |
|---|---|---|
| Big bushland, set off-lead areas | Yarra Bend Park | Yarra Bend Road, Fairfield |
| Riverside park with off-leash area | Fairfield Park | Fairfield Park Drive, Fairfield |
| Off-leash windows, on-lead by play areas | Alphington Park | 28 Parkview Road, Alphington |
| Oval with off-leash area | Ramsden Street Reserve | 110 Field Street, Clifton Hill |
| Large park, one off-lead area | All Nations Park | Separation Street, Northcote |
| Sports reserve, dogs off-lead | McDonell Reserve | 180a Victoria Road, Northcote |
Yarra Bend Park — Yarra Bend Road, Fairfield VIC 3078
Parks Victoria says visitors can bring up to 4 dogs into Yarra Bend Park and journey on-lead around much of the park. It names Westfield and Deep Rock as popular off-lead areas.
The same page says dogs are not allowed on the golf courses, playgrounds, the Fairlea Netball Courts, Galatea Point or on sporting ovals during events. Its page also carries a bird flu alert about not touching sick or dead wildlife, and it does not state an entry fee.
Off-leash status: on lead around much of the park per Parks Victoria, with Westfield and Deep Rock named as popular off-lead areas.
Fairfield Park — Fairfield Park Drive, Fairfield VIC 3078
Yarra City Council lists a dog off-leash area among Fairfield Park’s facilities, alongside a playground, picnic area, barbecue, drinking fountain and public toilets. It describes the park as sitting on the banks of the Yarra River.
The council also says dogs are allowed off-leash in unfenced sporting grounds only when the grounds are not in use for approved sporting events, including training. We found no off-leash hours printed, so check the council order.
Off-leash status: an off-leash area is listed, and sporting grounds are off-leash only when no approved event or training is on.
Alphington Park — 28 Parkview Road, Alphington VIC 3078
Yarra City Council says your dog is allowed off-leash at Alphington Park before 10am and after 5pm; check the council order and the signs before you unclip. It also says dogs must be kept on-leash within 10 metres of playground and BBQ areas.
The council lists a dog off-leash area and a dog on-leash area among the facilities, along with a playground, public toilets, a drinking fountain, a picnic area and tables and chairs. It calls the mown lawn surroundings an ideal place for families.
Off-leash status: off-leash only in the windows the council publishes, and on-leash near the playground and BBQ areas.
Ramsden Street Reserve — 110 Field Street, Clifton Hill VIC 3068
Ramsden Street Reserve is in Clifton Hill, just outside Fairfield. Yarra City Council lists a dog off-leash area among its facilities, with a sports oval, cricket practice nets, a pavilion, a drinking fountain and public toilets.
The council says the Capital City Trail runs through the reserve, giving walkers and bike riders access to Merri Creek, the Yarra River and Yarra Bend Park. The page we read prints no off-leash times, so check the council order.
Bring: a lead for the trail sections, and check the council order for when the off-leash area applies.
All Nations Park — Separation Street, Northcote VIC 3070
Darebin City Council calls All Nations Park one of the largest parks in Darebin, with playgrounds, a skate park, walking trails and scenic views. Its facilities include BBQ tables and an outdoor gym.
For dogs, the council says they must be on lead and under supervision everywhere at all times except at the designated off-lead area off Brickworks Lane. The council page gives no street number, only Separation Street.
Off-leash status: on lead everywhere per the council, except the designated off-lead area off Brickworks Lane.
McDonell Reserve — 180a Victoria Road, Northcote VIC 3070
Darebin City Council describes McDonell Reserve as a local sports and recreation space behind the Northcote Aquatic and Recreation Centre. Its listing reads ‘Cricket pitch * Dogs off-lead’.
The listing does not print times or boundaries for the off-lead status, so check the council order and any signs before you let the lead go.
Off-leash status: dogs off-lead as listed by Darebin City Council, with no times printed on the page we read.
Quick answers
Where can dogs go off lead near Fairfield?
Parks Victoria names Westfield and Deep Rock as popular off-lead areas in Yarra Bend Park. Yarra City Council lists a dog off-leash area at Fairfield Park and at Ramsden Street Reserve, and Darebin City Council lists dogs off-lead at McDonell Reserve and a designated off-lead area off Brickworks Lane at All Nations Park.
Are dogs allowed everywhere in Yarra Bend Park?
No. Parks Victoria says visitors can bring up to 4 dogs into Yarra Bend Park, mostly on lead, and that dogs are not allowed on the golf courses, playgrounds, the Fairlea Netball Courts, Galatea Point or on sporting ovals during events.
Are there off-leash rules at Alphington Park?
Yarra City Council says dogs are allowed off-leash at Alphington Park before 10am and after 5pm; check the council order and the signs before you unclip. It also says dogs must be kept on-leash within 10 metres of playground and BBQ areas.
Which dog-friendly parks near Fairfield have a playground or barbecue?
Yarra City Council lists a playground and barbecue facilities at Fairfield Park and Alphington Park, both with dog areas. Darebin City Council lists playgrounds and BBQ tables at All Nations Park, where dogs must stay on lead outside the designated off-lead area. Check each council’s signs for the current rules.
How we checked
We checked every place on this page against at least two independent sources on 4 October 2026: OpenStreetMap, government pages, fairfieldvillage.com.au, council pages and fairfieldboathouse.com. Facilities and opening hours change, so check the official page before you go. The cover photo is illustrative, from Unsplash, and does not show any place on this page.
Seen something out of date? Email [email protected] with the page link and what has changed, and we will check it again.
Sources
- Yarra Bend Park: openstreetmap.org/9278415, parks.vic.gov.au/yarra-bend-park, fairfieldvillage.com.au/the-top-things-to-do-see-in-fairfield
- Fairfield Park: yarracity.vic.gov.au/fairfield-park, fairfieldboathouse.com
- Alphington Park: openstreetmap.org/33076262, yarracity.vic.gov.au/alphington-park
- Ramsden Street Reserve: openstreetmap.org/26116510, yarracity.vic.gov.au/ramsden-street-reserve
- All Nations Park: openstreetmap.org/27527691, darebin.vic.gov.au/All-nations-park
- McDonell Reserve: openstreetmap.org/27530672, darebin.vic.gov.au/Mcdonell-reserve
