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 between 2 October 2026 and 4 October 2026.
A park lets dogs run free only where the council has said so, and any disagreement is ended by what the gate sign says. This page covers seven parks in and around Thornbury: four in Thornbury, two in Northcote and one in Preston.
Each park’s status comes from the Darebin council directory page, with OpenStreetMap as the second check. Facilities are listed as the council lists them. Where we could not find a time or a rule, the answer is to check the council order. Bring bags.
The quick picks
| If you’re after | Head to | Where |
|---|---|---|
| Off-lead area with outdoor gym | Mayer Park | 99 Leinster Grove, Thornbury |
| Off-lead area and playground | Hayes Park | 143 Flinders Street, Thornbury |
| Off-lead area, BBQ tables, courts | Penders Park | 48a Pender Street, Thornbury |
| Off-lead area near High Street | Henderson Park | 2c Murray Street, Thornbury |
| Off-lead area by sports space | McDonell Reserve | 180a Victoria Road, Northcote |
| Large park, one off-lead area | All Nations Park | Separation Street, Northcote |
| Off-lead area, picnic tables | T A Cochrane Reserve | 1-19 Collier Street, Preston |
Mayer Park — 99 Leinster Grove, Thornbury VIC 3071
Status: the council lists Dogs off-lead and says dogs are welcome to run and play in the designated off-leash area. The council page also lists a drinking fountain, toilets, walking paths, BBQ and an outdoor gym. It says the park provides opportunities for organised sport, so expect the off-lead area to share the park with other users. Off-lead times are not on the page we read, so check the council order.
Off-leash status: council lists Dogs off-lead, with the designated area as the place to use it.
Hayes Park — 143 Flinders Street, Thornbury VIC 3071
Status: the council lists Dogs off-lead, described as an area where dogs can be taken off leash. The same listing names a playground for children, a basketball or netball court and walking paths. We found no council listing for a drinking fountain here. Times are not stated, so check the council order.
Bring: your own water, since the council listing we read names no drinking fountain.
Penders Park — 48a Pender Street, Thornbury VIC 3071
Status: per council, Dogs off-lead, an area where dogs can be taken off leash. The council page lists public toilets, a drinking fountain, BBQ tables, a picnic table, walking paths, a playground and a basketball or netball court. It describes a playground for kids and a basketball court as suiting families. That mix means other people share the space, so keep to the signed area.
Off-leash status: council lists Dogs off-lead; times are not given, so check the council order.
Henderson Park — 2c Murray Street, Thornbury VIC 3071
Status: the council lists Dogs off-lead and says dogs are welcome to run and play in the designated off-leash area. Its page lists a drinking fountain, a playground and walking paths. The council also says the park is within easy walking distance of High Street’s shops, cafés and public transport. OpenStreetMap names it Henderson Reserve, but the council name is used here.
Bring: bags and a lead for the walk to and from High Street.
McDonell Reserve — 180a Victoria Road, Northcote VIC 3070
Status: per council, Dogs off-lead. The council says the reserve is a local sports and recreation space situated behind the Northcote Aquatic and Recreation Centre. Its page also lists a drinking fountain and walking paths. OpenStreetMap names it McDonell Park, but the council name is used here. Times are not stated, so check the council order.
Off-leash status: council lists Dogs off-lead; it is a sports space, so watch for games.
All Nations Park — Separation Street, Northcote VIC 3070
Status: on lead nearly everywhere. The council says dogs must be on lead and under supervision everywhere at all times except at the designated off-lead area off Brickworks Lane. OpenStreetMap also maps an off-leash dog walking area inside the park. The council calls it one of the largest parks in Darebin and lists a playground, skate park, outdoor gym, BBQ tables, picnic shelter, drinking fountain and toilets. The council says no dogs are allowed in the wetland.
Off-leash status: lead on everywhere except the designated area off Brickworks Lane.
T A Cochrane Reserve — 1-19 Collier Street, Preston VIC 3072
Status: the council lists Dogs off-lead, described as an area where dogs can be taken off leash. The page also lists a drinking fountain, BBQ tables, a picnic table and walking paths. It is the one park here in Preston rather than Thornbury or Northcote. OpenStreetMap writes the name as T.A. Cochrane Reserve. Times are not stated, so check the council order.
Bring: bags and a water bottle for the dog; the council lists a drinking fountain to refill it.
Quick answers
Which Thornbury parks have an off-lead area?
The Darebin council directory lists Dogs off-lead for Mayer Park, Hayes Park, Penders Park and Henderson Park, all in Thornbury. McDonell Reserve in Northcote and T A Cochrane Reserve in Preston carry the same listing. The council pages we read do not state off-lead times, so check the council order.
Can dogs run off lead anywhere in All Nations Park?
Only in the designated area. The council says dogs must be on lead and under supervision everywhere at all times except at the designated off-lead area off Brickworks Lane. OpenStreetMap also maps an off-leash dog walking area in the park. The council says no dogs are allowed in the wetland.
Which dog parks near Thornbury have drinking water?
The council lists a drinking fountain at Mayer Park, Penders Park, Henderson Park, McDonell Reserve, All Nations Park and T A Cochrane Reserve. The Hayes Park listing we read does not name one, so bring water there.
Which off-lead parks near Thornbury also have a playground?
Per council, Hayes Park, Penders Park, Henderson Park and All Nations Park list a playground alongside their off-lead listing. All Nations Park also lists a skate park, and on-lead rules apply outside its designated area. Check the council order for times.
How we checked
We checked every place on this page against at least two independent sources between 2 October 2026 and 4 October 2026: OpenStreetMap, council pages and en.wikipedia.org. 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
- Mayer Park: openstreetmap.org/27210890, darebin.vic.gov.au/Mayer-park
- Hayes Park: openstreetmap.org/28375613, darebin.vic.gov.au/Hayes-park, en.wikipedia.org/Thornbury,_Victoria
- Penders Park: openstreetmap.org/28376037, darebin.vic.gov.au/Penders-park
- Henderson Park: openstreetmap.org/28500873, darebin.vic.gov.au/Henderson-park
- McDonell Reserve: openstreetmap.org/27530672, darebin.vic.gov.au/Mcdonell-reserve
- All Nations Park: openstreetmap.org/27527691, darebin.vic.gov.au/All-nations-park, openstreetmap.org/560919178, openstreetmap.org/625169973, openstreetmap.org/191850917
- T A Cochrane Reserve: openstreetmap.org/28375252, darebin.vic.gov.au/T-a-cochrane-reserve
