Correction (5 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, and every price was copied from the page it was published on.
A park counts as off-leash only where council rules allow it, and the gate sign has the final word. This page covers six places in and around the Melbourne CBD: four parks and gardens, and two venues tagged pet friendly. Two are in East Melbourne, two in West Melbourne and two in Melbourne itself.
The parks are checked against City of Melbourne’s own pages and OpenStreetMap. The venues are checked against their own sites and the Australian Good Food Guide. Where the council prints no time window, we say so and point you to the council order. Bring bags.
The quick picks
| If you’re after | Head to | Order this | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Timed off-leash park | Wellington Park | see below | not printed here |
| Council-listed off-leash park | Eades Park | see below | not printed here |
| Listed off-leash, private management | Yarra Park | see below | not printed here |
| Leashed walk with facilities | Flagstaff Gardens | see below | not printed here |
| Pet Friendly tag, Vietnamese | Pho Nung 123 | Phở | $17.50 |
| Pet Friendly tag, alfresco dining | Bar Mercado | see below | not printed here |
Wellington Park — Wellington Pde South, East Melbourne VIC 3002
Status: timed off-leash, per City of Melbourne. The council lists the off-leash area as 1 November to 31 March from 6pm to 8am, and 1 April to 31 October from 5pm to 9am. Outside the designated area and those windows, dogs stay on leash. The council also says dogs must be leashed within 5 metres of a shared path, and near play equipment, barbecues, picnic areas, sports fields in use and waterbodies.
Off-leash status: Timed off-leash as listed by the council, so read the sign and check the council order before you unclip.
Eades Park — 1 Chetwynd St, West Melbourne VIC 3003
Status: listed by the council as an off-leash area, with no time window printed beside it in what we read. Check the council order for the current rule. The council says dogs must be leashed within 5 metres of a shared path, and OpenStreetMap maps a playground in the park, so keep the lead on near it as the council requires.
Off-leash status: Council-listed, no time limit printed, so confirm it with the council order before relying on it.
Yarra Park — Marathon Way, East Melbourne VIC 3002
Status: the council lists Yarra Park among its designated dog off-leash areas, but its page flags the park as not managed by City of Melbourne. That means the managing body sets the rules on the day. The council also says dogs must be leashed within 5 metres of a shared path.
Off-leash status: Listed by the council, run by someone else, so look for signage at the entrance and check the council order.
Flagstaff Gardens — Flagstaff Gardens, north of La Trobe Street, Melbourne VIC
Status: on leash. The council page says “Dogs must be leashed in all public areas, unless in designated areas.” It lists barbecues, picnic facilities, seats, drinking fountains, a public toilet and a playground, plus multi-use courts for tennis, volleyball or netball. It does not list the gardens as an off-leash area.
Off-leash status: Not an off-leash park per the council; keep the lead on and treat it as a walk with facilities.
Pho Nung 123 — 123 Lonsdale Street, Melbourne VIC 3000
Status: tagged Pet Friendly by the Australian Good Food Guide. The AGFG also tags it for takeaway, which can suit a walk. Its site prints Phở at $17.50. We could not find a statement from the venue about where a dog may sit.
On the menu (copied from phonungvn.com.au on 4 October 2026):
- Phở: $17.50
- Gỏi Cuốn: $4.80
- Bánh Mì: $11.50
- Cà Ri Gà: $19.50
Inside or outside only: The AGFG tag does not say, so ask the venue before you bring a dog to the door.
Bar Mercado — 85 Peel Street, West Melbourne VIC 3003
Status: the AGFG tags Bar Mercado as both Pet Friendly and Alfresco Dining, which points to outdoor seating. The AGFG listing shows Monday closed, with lunch from 12:00 PM to 3:00 PM and dinner from 5:00 PM to 11:00 PM on the days it lists. Those hours come from the AGFG listing and may be out of date.
Inside or outside only: The tags do not say where dogs may sit, so ask the venue and expect outdoor tables at best.
Quick answers
Where can I take my dog off-leash near Melbourne CBD?
The council’s walking-your-dog page lists Wellington Park in East Melbourne as timed off-leash. The windows are 1 November to 31 March from 6pm to 8am, and 1 April to 31 October from 5pm to 9am. It also lists Eades Park in West Melbourne with no time limit printed, so check the council order. Yarra Park is on the council list too, but the council flags it as not managed by the council, so the managing body sets the rules on the day.
Can dogs run off-leash in Flagstaff Gardens?
Not per the council. Its Flagstaff Gardens page says dogs must be leashed in all public areas, unless in designated areas, and it does not list the gardens as an off-leash area. The page does list a playground, barbecues, picnic facilities and a public toilet.
Which cafes or restaurants near the CBD are tagged pet friendly?
The AGFG tags Pho Nung 123 and Bar Mercado as Pet Friendly. Bar Mercado is also tagged Alfresco Dining. Neither tag says whether dogs may sit inside or only outside, so ask the venue first.
Do dogs have to be on a leash near shared paths?
Yes, per the council page used for Wellington Park, Eades Park and Yarra Park: dogs must be put on a leash within 5 metres of a shared path used by both pedestrians and bike riders. Off-leash access applies in designated areas and, where relevant, during the permitted hours.
How we checked
We checked every place on this page against at least two independent sources on 4 October 2026: OpenStreetMap, council pages, the places’ own websites and the Australian Good Food Guide. Every price is copied exactly as printed on the page linked under Sources, on 4 October 2026. Menus, prices and opening hours change, so check with the venue 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
- Wellington Park: openstreetmap.org/154434398, melbourne.vic.gov.au/walking-your-dog
- Eades Park: openstreetmap.org/5123815, melbourne.vic.gov.au/walking-your-dog
- Yarra Park: openstreetmap.org/131707394, melbourne.vic.gov.au/walking-your-dog
- Flagstaff Gardens: openstreetmap.org/4817082, melbourne.vic.gov.au/flagstaff-gardens
- Pho Nung 123: phonungvn.com.au, agfg.com.au/pho-nung-123-85000
- Bar Mercado: barmercado.com.au, agfg.com.au/bar-mercado-146507
