Cardinia Reservoir Park Walk
Bush trails to Duffy’s Lookout — on-leash; dogs prohibited on Kangaroo Viewing Trail and the reservoir wall.
View placeGet outside with your dog
Dog-friendly hikes near McCrae
Search by suburb to see the nearest parks, walks, hikes and beaches first. Growing curated list for NSW, VIC and QLD — not every council oval or trail. Always check council signs on the day.
Glenfern Valley Bushlands
Natural-feeling Yarra Ranges bushland network with creek sounds, shade and enough variation to keep dogs engaged.
View placeMathias Track
Dandenong Ranges favourite with cool forest air and a more adventurous feel than the flat city loops.
View placeYarra Bend Park Loop
Bushier Yarra loop with riverbanks, climbs and a real “outdoors but still metro” feel for dogs that are comfortable on longer leads.
View placeEast-West Walk (You Yangs)
4.5 km loop through rocky outcrops and open woodland — on-leash; combine with Flinders Peak for a longer day.
View placeFlinders Peak Walk (You Yangs)
Granite summit hike with steps and panoramic views back to Melbourne — on-leash; ~1 hr from the city.
View placeSurf Coast Walk
44 km cliff-top Great Ocean Road trail — mixed on-leash, off-leash and no-dog sections; check the map before you go.
View placeWesterfolds River Loop
Longer Yarra-side bushy loop with river edges, rolling terrain and enough space to feel like a proper metro hike.
View placeSeven Acre Rock (Bunyip State Park)
Short rocky outcrop hike with views across state forests to Port Phillip Bay on clear days — on-leash.
View placeLa La Falls Walk
Forest walk along Four Mile Creek to a waterfall near Warburton — on-leash; listen for lyrebirds.
View placeYan Yean Reservoir Park Walk
Northern reservoir park with wetlands and birdlife — on-leash trails around Melbourne’s oldest water storage (~1 hr north).
View placeToorongo & Amphitheatre Falls Loop
Forest waterfall loop in Toorongo Falls Reserve — off-leash under effective control; muddy after rain.
View placeShallow Inlet to Sandy Point Walk
Coastal circuit with Wilsons Prom views — best at low tide; on-leash (~2.5 hr from Melbourne).
View placeMt Disappointment State Forest Walk
State forest on the Great Dividing Range with summit views and Strath Creek Falls side trip — on-leash.
View placeCamels Hump Summit Walk
Short bush ascent to the highest point in the Macedon Ranges — on-leash with views to Hanging Rock.
View placeLake Elizabeth Circuit Walk
Otway drowned-valley loop with dead tree trunks on calm water — on-leash; platypus territory (~2 hr 15 from Melbourne).
View placeBay of Martyrs Walk (Peterborough)
Great Ocean Road clifftop trail — on-leash; dogs not allowed on most beaches and coves along the route.
View placeGorge Walk (Beechworth)
Historic gold-town loop through Beechworth Historic Park — Powder Magazine, creek bridges and granite boulders.
View placeMateLoop lists places for convenience. Distances are approximate from suburb centres. Council rules, times and seasonal bans change — always follow local signs and official council websites.