Whether your dog is outgoing or shy, wild or well-trained, friendly or behaviourally-challenged, there is a perfect off leash place in Canberra to suit your dog.
We often get asked by dog owners where they can take their dog for some safe off leash time to let them really stretch their legs and have some fun. Canberra’s fenced dog parks provide great facilities but don’t suit every dog. Canberra is also blessed with extensive lush ovals where dogs are allowed off leash when not being used for sports, but not all dogs can be let loose off leash in an unfenced area, or with other dogs.
The good news is Canberra has a range of safe and attractive off leash alternatives for every type of dog. Here’s our top picks to help you find just the right place, starting from those that suit anxious or anti-social dogs, to a range of spaces for more easy-going and friendly dogs.
Dog Training Clubs
Canberra Dog Hub
Fenced Dog Parks
Playing Fields and Ovals
Off Leash Options Map
Dog training clubs
Three not-for-profit dog training clubs in Canberra offer their members fully fenced off leash areas within their club grounds located in Greenway, Mitchell and Symonston. All the clubs are run by enthusiastic and dedicated volunteers.
The ACT Companion Dog Club in Symonston is the oldest - going for more than 60 years. The club grounds boast four large, separate, fully-fenced off leash grassy areas that are available to club members whenever they are not being used for training classes.
Club rules require that members ask before entering an off leash area with their dog, if it is already being used by someone else. This means dogs that need their own space have the opportunity to enjoy themselves safely. Of course, if you have an outgoing, friendly dog then he/she has high chance of meeting other like-minded pooches wanting to play.
The best thing about joining these clubs is that your membership includes access to a range of supportive and friendly training classes for dogs (and humans) of all ages and levels.
If you have a dog with behavioural problems or other issues they are happy to provide practical help and advice.
You can find more information about each of Canberra’s not-for-profit dog training clubs, their locations and contact details at Canberra Dog Walks dog training blog.
Canberra Dog Hub
The Canberra Dog Hub is a private facility operated by Pups4Fun, located in Holt. It provides access to fully fenced spaces where you can safely run your dog off leash. Two types of membership are available.
A private park membership allows you to book a large, flat, grassy and fully fenced off leash paddock for your own private use. It also includes some agility equipment for extra fun. This is a great option if you have a dog that doesn't get along with other dogs or if you want time to train or play with your dog separate from other dogs.
A social dog membership enables you to participate in up to four shared sessions with other Hub members at fixed times through the week. Unlike a dog park, numbers are limited and all members are known. Private park members may also participate in shared sessions if their dogs are social.
The Hub space includes parking, access to water, and a shared on leash space at the front of the property with tables, chairs and shade where you can sit and relax.
You can find up-to-date information about the facilities, social sessions, fees and conditions on the Canberra Dog Hub website.
Fenced dog parks
Canberra, Queanbeyan and Yass are well catered for with fully-fenced dog parks that provide safe, off leash areas for dogs to exercise and socialise. Most dog parks have a separate area for large and/or confident dogs and another for small, very young or older dogs that need quieter interactions. Most parks also provide fresh water, shade trees and bins (but make sure you bring your own poo bags).
Our favourites are the Yarralumla and Tuggeranong dog parks. Both feature mature shady trees, beautiful vistas and lots of space for dogs to find their own niche. There is easy parking and nearby off leash walking and swimming areas.
Dog parks can provide an excellent opportunity to teach your dog good socialisation skills but it’s important to closely supervise them to make sure interactions are safe and fun for all dogs. Many dogs enjoy them immensely, but bear in mind that dog parks don’t suit every dog; for example, our outgoing whippet loves them while our timid whippet finds them too overwhelming, particularly when the parks get crowded.
The ACT Government’s website provides a detailed explanation of dog park etiquette, do’s and don’ts. Each park also has a summary of rules posted on the entry gate.
There are eight dog parks in Canberra, one in nearby Queanbeyan, one large and one small park in Googong, a small park in Jerrabomberra, and one in Yass. We’ve provided a summary of each park’s features, facilities and location at Canberra Dog Walks dog park blog.
Playing fields and ovals
Most people don’t know that nearly all of Canberra’s unfenced playing fields and ovals are off leash areas when not being used for formal sports.
Dog walkers in the know meet up in these areas, usually late afternoon, to chat while their dogs play together, chase balls, socialise and sniff. It’s a nice way to meet other dog owners informally while your dogs have fun.
These areas generally ‘self-select’ for experienced, friendly owners and well-socialised dogs. It’s a great opportunity to introduce a young dog to off leash, unfenced situations. If you or your dog find dog parks a bit too intense, and your dog doesn’t have behavioural problems, we can highly recommend trying these as alternatives.
It’s important of course to be respectful of other users and follow some basic etiquette in these shared public spaces, e.g. don’t let your dog chase children, steal soccer balls, or otherwise interfere with other people’s enjoyment!
Just like dog parks, you’ll need to monitor your dog’s interactions with other dogs. Be cautious with dogs on leash who might not appreciate a strange, loose dog rushing up. You might need to begin with your dog on leash until he/she is a bit more settled and/or learns to come when called.
The ACT Government maintains an online detailed map of all off leash playing fields and ovals. These are shaded orange indicating their 'conditional' status: when being used for formal sports dogs are prohibited.
We've recommended five especially safe and attractive off leash playing fields in various areas around Canberra that you might like to try.
These spaces are well contained and insulated from roads by fences, drains, creeks and/or large banks. While a very determined off leash dog could still run across a road, the barriers around these playing fields cut down the risk appreciably.
All have good off street parking, pretty shade trees, bins for those poo bags, and, most importantly, the regulars are really lovely people with very friendly dogs.
» Giralang - Giralang Ovals via Gari Place or Tucana Street
The enormous verdant Giralang Ovals are made up of the Giralang Soccer Grounds, the Giralang AFL Grounds and a whole lot of extra off leash space in between and all around. If you head to the middle area in between the two main 'grounds', you'll be surrounded by huge green space on two sides, a large storm water drain on another side, and the fenced Giralang Primary School on the fourth side. Parking is available on Gari Place or Tuca Street.
» Gordon - Gordon Neighbourhood Oval via Midge Street
A lovely open space with beautiful mountain views, the Gordon Neighbourhood Oval is bordered by large banks on two sides, a deep creek channel on another, and a second large oval on the fourth side. A small access road from Midge Street provides free parking and bisects the two ovals. Choose the field on your left, as you drive in.
» Narrabundah - Errol Kavanagh Memorial Oval via Kyeema Street
This glorious hidden green space is bordered on three sides by poplar-lined creeks and on the fourth side by high fencing. Dogs have extensive safe running space and fascinating smells to explore in the creeks. Kyeema Street is the access road to the oval and includes plenty of parking.
» O’Connor - O'Connor Neighbourhood Oval via Pedder Street
Another extensive beautiful green space, the O'Connor Neighbourhood Oval is bordered by a creek and storm water drains on three sides and more fenced and open playing fields on the fourth side. The best and safest part of the oval is accessed by a separate parking area off Pedder Street.
» Yarralumla - Forestry Oval via Wilf Crane Crescent
Totally hidden from casual sight off Banks Street, this sublime green space is bordered by beautiful mature deciduous trees and is usually - and amazingly - deserted. The oval is surrounded on three sides by steep banks rising to Will Crane Crescent (which is only an access road to CSIRO buildings) and on the fourth side by an impenetrable thicket of spiky bushes and trees.
You can find more information about these and other recommended off leash areas at the Canberra Dog Walks off leash meeting places blog.
All these areas are easily found on Google Maps or iMaps by entering the playing field name and/or street and/or suburb. Or check the google map below.
Off leash spaces map
We've marked the sites of all the places mentioned in this blog in the google map below. To see the map in detail, just click on the 'view larger map' icon on the top right hand corner of the title bar and then click the map index to list all sites.