Correction (10 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 9 October 2026.
An off-lead area is only as good as the rules attached to it. This page covers five parks in and around Kew East that the council lists with an off-lead dog area: three in Kew East, one in Balwyn North and one in Kew.
Each park was checked against the City of Boroondara park pages and OpenStreetMap. Where the two disagree, the council version leads and the sign at the gate wins. Times and boundaries change, so check the council order before you go. Bring bags.
The quick picks
| If you’re after | Head to | Where |
|---|---|---|
| Off-lead outside organised sport | Stradbroke Park | 1369 Burke Road, Kew East |
| Off-lead at the park with two billabongs | Willsmere Park | 27 Willow Grove, Kew East |
| Off-lead plus playground and barbecue | Hays Paddock | 25-27 Longstaff Street, Kew East |
| Off-lead at a sports park | Macleay Park | 101 Belmore Rd, Balwyn North |
| Off-lead at a park with a regional playground | Victoria Park | 450 High St, Kew |
Stradbroke Park — 1369 Burke Road, Kew East VIC 3102
Status per council: Stradbroke Park is a designated off-lead dog park, except when there are organised sports training sessions and matches on the ovals. OpenStreetMap tags the park as leashed, so the council version is the one to follow and the signs settle any doubt. The council lists an off-lead dog area, barbecue, parking, playground, seating and tables, and toilets. It also says Stradbroke Park South is closed for the 2026/27 summer season.
Off-leash status: Off-lead per council outside organised sport; on match and training days, check the signs and the council order.
Willsmere Park — 27 Willow Grove, Kew East VIC 3102
As listed, Willsmere Park carries the same rule as Stradbroke: a designated off-lead dog park, except when there are organised sports training sessions and matches on the ovals. The council lists an off-lead dog area, parking, playground, seating and tables, and toilets. It describes the park as covering around 23 hectares, with two billabongs and a native flora and fauna corridor for the Middle Yarra River. A council notice says a facilities upgrade might impact access to the car park and the playground.
Bring: Bags, and a backup plan for parking, since the council notice says works might affect access to the car park.
Hays Paddock — 25-27 Longstaff Street, Kew East VIC 3102
Status per council: Hays Paddock has an off-lead dog area, listed alongside a barbecue, basketball half-court, exercise equipment, parking, picnic shelter, playground, seating and tables, and toilets. The council’s off-lead rules say dogs are not allowed within a playground and must be on a lead near its perimeter, so check the council order for the distance. The council also says there is no swimming in the water on site. It lists the park as a 5-minute walk from the number 48 tram.
Off-leash status: Off-lead area only, per council; on lead near the playground, and the sign at the gate has the final word.
Macleay Park — 101 Belmore Rd, Balwyn North VIC 3104
Macleay Park is in Balwyn North, not Kew East. The council lists an off-lead dog area here and points to the park rules on its off-lead dog parks page. Also listed: barbecue, drinking fountain, parking, playground, seating and tables, and toilets. It is mainly a sports park, with 4 sportsgrounds per the council, which also notes a redevelopment plan. The council puts it 1.1 km from the number 48 tram stop.
Bring: Bags, and read the council’s park rules page before you go, since times and boundaries sit there.
Victoria Park — 450 High St, Kew VIC 3101
Victoria Park is in Kew, not Kew East. The council lists an off-lead dog area and sends readers to its off-lead dog parks page for the park rules. Other listed facilities include covered barbecue areas, a basketball half-court, a BMX and skate park and drinking fountains. The playground was upgraded in 2022, and the council classes it as a regional playground. Toilets are within the cemetery, per the council’s facilities list.
Off-leash status: Council lists an off-lead dog area; the times and boundaries are not on the park page, so read its park rules page or check the council order.
Quick answers
Where can I take my dog off lead in Kew East?
The council lists an off-lead dog area at three parks in Kew East: Stradbroke Park, Willsmere Park and Hays Paddock. Stradbroke and Willsmere are designated off-lead dog parks except during organised sports training and matches on the ovals, so check the signs on the day.
Are Kew East dog parks off lead all the time?
Not according to the council. Stradbroke Park and Willsmere Park are off-lead except during organised sport on the ovals, and Hays Paddock has an off-lead area but dogs must be on a lead near the playground. For anything the council page does not state, check the council order.
Which dog parks near Kew East have a playground?
The council lists a playground at Stradbroke Park, Willsmere Park, Hays Paddock, Macleay Park and Victoria Park. At Hays Paddock the council’s rules say dogs are not allowed within a playground, so keep to the off-lead area.
Is there an off-lead dog park near Kew East outside the suburb?
Yes. The council lists an off-lead dog area at Macleay Park in Balwyn North and at Victoria Park in Kew. Macleay is mainly a sports park, and both point to the council’s off-lead dog parks page for the park rules.
How we checked
We checked every place on this page against at least two independent sources on 9 October 2026: OpenStreetMap and council pages. 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
- Stradbroke Park: openstreetmap.org/28506882, boroondara.vic.gov.au/stradbroke-park
- Willsmere Park: openstreetmap.org/66974626, boroondara.vic.gov.au/willsmere-park
- Hays Paddock: openstreetmap.org/29060206, boroondara.vic.gov.au/hays-paddock, boroondara.vic.gov.au/hays-paddock-playground-kew-east, boroondara.vic.gov.au/playgrounds-boroondara, boroondara.vic.gov.au/public-recreation-facilities
- Macleay Park: openstreetmap.org/234077429, boroondara.vic.gov.au/macleay-park
- Victoria Park: openstreetmap.org/28222626, boroondara.vic.gov.au/victoria-park, boroondara.vic.gov.au/victoria-park-playground-kew, boroondara.vic.gov.au/public-recreation-facilities
