Correction (2 October 2026): an earlier version of this page listed places and details we could not stand behind. It has been rewritten, and every place below was checked against its own current information.
An off-lead park is only off-lead on the terms the land manager states, and the sign at the gate wins every argument. This guide gives each park’s official status first, then what the council or Parks Victoria lists for facilities. We could verify six parks: Victoria Park and Yarra Bend Park in Kew, Willsmere Park, Hays Paddock and Stradbroke Park in Kew East, and Grace Park in Hawthorn. Each heading names its suburb, because three of them are not in Kew itself.
Where the council points to its off-lead dog parks page for the rules rather than printing them, this guide says so and does not guess. Times, zones and exclusions are for the council’s own order to settle. Check it before you unclip the lead.
The quick picks
| Park | Suburb | Status as listed | Listed by |
|---|---|---|---|
| Victoria Park | Kew | Off-lead dog area | City of Boroondara |
| Yarra Bend Park | Kew | On-lead around much of the park; popular off-lead areas include Westfield and Deep Rock | Parks Victoria |
| Willsmere Park | Kew East | Designated off-lead dog park, except during organised sport on the ovals | City of Boroondara |
| Hays Paddock | Kew East | Off-lead dog area | City of Boroondara |
| Stradbroke Park | Kew East | Designated off-lead dog park, except during organised sport on the ovals | City of Boroondara |
| Grace Park | Hawthorn | Off-lead dog area | City of Boroondara |
Victoria Park — 450 High Street, Kew VIC 3101
Off-leash status: the council lists an “Off-lead dog area (Read the park rules on our Off-lead dog parks page)”. We didn’t capture the rules page, so check the council order for times and zones.
Shared ground: the council calls the park “Suitable for sports including AFL and cricket, outdoor fitness training, children’s play, picnics and social gatherings”, and its page lists a summer season from 1 October 2026 to 30 March 2027. Read the rules for where your dog can be off the lead around the ovals and playground.
Facilities as listed: the council page names “Toilets (within the cemetery)”, “Barbecue areas (covered)” and “Drinking fountains”. Bins and shade aren’t stated in the text we read.
Getting there: “Tram 48: Get off at the Victoria Park/High St stop.”
Bring: a lead, poo bags and water.
Yarra Bend Park — Boathouse Road, Kew VIC 3101
Off-leash status: Parks Victoria says “Visitors can bring up to 4 dogs into Yarra Bend Park, and journey on-lead around much of the park. Popular off lead areas include Westfield and Deep Rock.” On-lead is the default here, so treat the off-lead areas as the exception.
What it is: Parks Victoria calls it “Melbourne’s largest natural bushland park”, and the council says it is managed and maintained by Parks Victoria. Plan your route before you go.
Where dogs aren’t allowed: Parks Victoria’s page has a “Dog walking in Yarra Bend Park” section. Read it for the places dogs are not allowed.
Bring: a lead, poo bags and water for a long loop.
Willsmere Park — 27 Willow Grove, Kew East VIC 3102
Off-leash status: “Willsmere Park is a designated off-lead dog park, except when there are organised sports training sessions and matches on the ovals.”
Facilities as listed: “Off-lead dog area Parking Playground Seating and tables Toilets”. Water, bins and shade aren’t mentioned.
Works: the council says “We’re upgrading the facilities at Willsmere Park. This might impact your access to the car park and the playground.” It adds that the park “contains the last 2 remaining billabongs in the lower reaches of the Yarra River.”
Bring: a lead for the sport times, plus bags and water.
Hays Paddock — 25-27 Longstaff Street, Kew East VIC 3102
Off-leash status: the council lists an “Off-lead dog area”. The page we read doesn’t print times, so check the council order.
Water, bins, shade: the council notes “There are bodies of water at Hays Paddock”, so keep the lead handy near them. Its facilities list includes “Picnic shelter” and “Toilets”; bins and drinking water aren’t stated.
Facilities as listed: “Hays Paddock features tables and chairs in a bushland setting and an all-abilities playground.”
Bring: a lead, bags and water.
Stradbroke Park — 1369 Burke Road, Kew East VIC 3102
Off-leash status: “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 dog=leashed, but the council page is the primary source and says off-lead, so this guide uses the council.
Facilities as listed: “Barbecue Off-lead dog area Parking Playground Seating and tables Toilets”. Water, bins and shade aren’t mentioned.
Closure: “Stradbroke Park South is closed for the 2026/27 summer season.”
Bring: a lead for the sport times, plus bags and water.
Grace Park — 2 Hilda Crescent, Hawthorn VIC 3122
Off-leash status: the council lists an “Off-lead dog area (read the park rules on our Off-lead dog parks page)”. We didn’t capture the rules page, so check the council order.
What it is: the council describes “A hive of activity in Hawthorn with a playground, sports facilities, raingarden and organised events.”
Getting there: “The venue is a 5-minute walk (300 m) from the number 75 tram stop at Power Street/Burwood Road.”
Bring: a lead, bags and water.
Quick answers
Where can I take my dog off-lead in Kew?
The council lists Victoria Park, 450 High Street, as an “Off-lead dog area”. Yarra Bend Park has popular off-lead areas, including Westfield and Deep Rock, but Parks Victoria says dogs are on-lead around much of the park. Read the council’s off-lead rules before you go.
Is Yarra Bend Park off-lead?
Mostly not. Parks Victoria says visitors “journey on-lead around much of the park”, with popular off-lead areas including Westfield and Deep Rock.
How many dogs can I bring to Yarra Bend Park?
Parks Victoria says visitors can bring up to 4 dogs into the park.
Can dogs be off-lead at Stradbroke Park during sport?
Not according to the council, which calls it a designated off-lead dog park “except when there are organised sports training sessions and matches on the ovals”. The council also says Stradbroke Park South is closed for the 2026/27 summer season.
Which off-lead parks near Kew are in Kew East?
Willsmere Park, 27 Willow Grove, Hays Paddock, 25-27 Longstaff Street, and Stradbroke Park, 1369 Burke Road. The council lists all three as off-lead dog areas.
How we checked
On 2 October 2026 we read the City of Boroondara’s park pages for Victoria Park, Willsmere Park, Hays Paddock, Stradbroke Park, Grace Park and Yarra Bend Park, and Parks Victoria’s Yarra Bend Park page, and confirmed each park against OpenStreetMap. Quotes are copied as printed. The council pages send readers to its off-lead dog parks page for the full rules, and we didn’t capture that page, so times, zones and exclusions must be read there. The cover photo is illustrative, from Unsplash, and shows puppies, not a Kew park. Rules and works change, so the council’s signage on the day wins.
Seen something out of date? Email [email protected] with the page link and what has changed, and we will check it again.
Sources
- Victoria Park: City of Boroondara and OpenStreetMap
- Yarra Bend Park: Parks Victoria, City of Boroondara and OpenStreetMap
- Willsmere Park: City of Boroondara and OpenStreetMap
- Hays Paddock: City of Boroondara and OpenStreetMap
- Stradbroke Park: City of Boroondara and OpenStreetMap
- Grace Park: City of Boroondara and OpenStreetMap
- The council’s rules, which we point to but do not quote here: City of Boroondara off-lead dog parks page
