Dog-Friendly East Victoria Park: Off-Leash Parks And River Walks
East Victoria Park is one of the easier parts of Perth to visit with a dog. The Town of Victoria Park maps around twenty dog exercise areas across its suburbs, several of them a short walk or drive from the Albany Highway strip, and the Swan River foreshore at Burswood and Victoria Park is only a few minutes further. Spring is the sweet spot: mild mornings, long evenings and weekly routines like the Sunday market that suit a dog on a lead. This guide covers the rules, the best parks close in, the river, food stops and the practical details that make a Perth trip with a dog feel easy.
Key Takeaway
East Victoria Park works for a dog-friendly Perth stay because off-leash parks, the Sunday market, Albany Highway cafés and the Swan River are all close together. The main things to plan are the lead rules, the lack of pets on public transport, warm spring afternoons and which outings the dog can join.
Before You Head Out With The Dog
A few quick checks save a lot of hassle once you are in Perth.
1Carry a lead everywhere: Even in an exercise area, WA law expects you to carry one and stay close to your dog.
2Bring bags: The Town stocks some bag dispensers, but leaving dog waste behind can bring a $100 penalty.
3Plan to drive: Transperth does not allow pets other than approved assistance animals on its services.
Build The Day Around Three Easy Choices
A good dog day in East Victoria Park rarely needs a long drive.
1An early run: Use a local exercise area such as Harold Rossiter Reserve, Fraser Park or John Macmillan Park.
2A river walk: Take the dog on lead along the foreshore at Burswood Park or let it run at Taylor Reserve.
3A slow afternoon: Coffee on Albany Highway, then back to the backyard before the warmest part of the day.
Why East Victoria Park Works For A Trip With Your Dog
East Victoria Park sits south-east of the Perth CBD in the Town of Victoria Park, a local government area that also covers Victoria Park, Burswood, Lathlain, Carlisle and St James. For dog owners the appeal is density. Instead of one big regional dog park that needs a car trip every time, the Town spreads its dog exercise areas through the suburbs, so most streets are a short walk or drive from a patch of grass where a dog can stretch its legs.
The suburb is mostly quiet residential streets running off Albany Highway, the local food and shopping strip. A morning walk to a park, coffee at a café with outdoor seating and a quiet afternoon at the house is an easy rhythm here.
The Swan River is the other big drawcard. Burswood Park, G.O. Edwards Park, Taylor Reserve and McCallum Park sit on or near the river on the Town's northern edge, giving you long flat paths with city skyline views. Some of these areas are on-lead only and some include off-lead space, which is why it is worth knowing the rules before you arrive.
East Victoria Park is not a destination with one famous dog park. It is a suburb where a good dog walk is almost always close by.
The Rules In Plain English: Leads, Exercise Areas And Clean-Up
Western Australia's Dog Act 1976 sets the baseline. In the Perth metropolitan area a dog must not be in a public place unless it is held on a chain, cord, leash or harness by a person capable of controlling it, or securely tethered for a temporary purpose. The exception is a dog exercise area that a local government has formally declared.
Inside a dog exercise area your dog can be off the lead, but the law still expects a competent person to be in reasonable proximity, capable of controlling the dog and carrying a lead that can be attached. In practice that means keeping your dog within sight and recall, clipping on quickly if another dog or a child is uncomfortable, and never treating an exercise area as a place to leave a dog unsupervised.
The Dog Act also requires dogs in public places to wear a collar with a registration tag attached. Visitors should bring their dog's usual collar, ID tag and registration details, and ask the Town of Victoria Park if unsure how the rules apply.
The Town's own guidance adds a few local points. Keep your dog under effective control and close to you, remember that not everyone is comfortable around dogs, and pick up after your dog. The Town says failing to remove and dispose of dog waste in a street, park or other public place may result in a $100 penalty. It provides bags at some park stations but recommends owners carry their own.
Signs beat assumptionsExercise areas can be affected by events, sport, works or council decisions. Read the signs at the park entrance and check the Town of Victoria Park's current dog exercise map before you let the lead off.
Off-Leash Parks Closest To East Victoria Park
The Town of Victoria Park's dog exercise map lists these East Victoria Park areas, among others across the Town. All details below are as published on the Town's park pages in September 2026. Park facilities change, so check the current listing if something matters to your day.
Harold Rossiter Reserve
1 Etwell Street, off Kent Street. A large active reserve with leafy shade, playground, barbecues, picnic area, car park and toilets listed as open 6am to 6pm daily.
Fraser Park
88 Hampshire Street, near the corner of Fraser Park Road and Balmoral Street. A popular local park with playground, barbecues, car park and toilets listed as open 6am to 6pm daily.
John Macmillan Park
Also listed as Kent Street Reserve, between Kent Street and Sussex Street. A large grassed area beside the Leisurelife Centre, with toilets, half basketball court and playground.
John Bissett Reserve
8 Beatty Avenue. Playground, barbecues, skate park, basketball ring, gazebo and outdoor ping pong. Part of the reserve has been fenced for level crossing removal works, so check what is open.
Kate Street Reserve
9 Kate Street. A large grassed park with a playground and the Triceratops artwork Everything is True by Western Australian artist Abdul-Rahman Abdullah.
Elizabeth Baillie Park
15 Hill View Terrace, bounded by Baillie Avenue and Albany Highway. Freshly upgraded, with an off-lead area, accessible paths and a new playground.
Higgins Park, just over the line in St James and bounded by Hill View Terrace, is also on the Town's exercise map and lists a football oval, playground, barbecues and toilets. Because several of these parks double as sports grounds and have playgrounds, the most dog-friendly times are usually weekday mornings and early evenings when there is no organised sport on.
Harold Rossiter Reserve And The Kensington Bushland Edge
If you only use one East Victoria Park exercise area, make it Harold Rossiter Reserve. The Town describes it as a large active reserve with two soccer pitches, a turf cricket pitch and leafy shaded areas, and it is one of the parks the Dogs of Australia guide singles out as a big unfenced space for off-leash exercise. For a dog that has spent hours in a car or crate on the way to Perth, room to run is exactly what is needed.
The reserve also has a car park, barbecues, a picnic area, water fountains and toilets the Town lists as open 6am to 6pm daily, which suits a family morning.
Harold Rossiter sits beside Kensington Bushland, one of the Town's remnant bush areas. Treat the bushland as a completely different space from the sports field. It is not a place for off-lead running. Keep your dog on a lead and stay on the tracks, both to protect the plants and wildlife and for your dog's own safety. The Town's snake advice specifically recommends exercising your dog on a leash at all times when enjoying the natural environment and sticking to paths, trails and walkways.
Elizabeth Baillie Park: The New-Look Park Up The Hill
Elizabeth Baillie Park is worth knowing about because it has changed recently. The Town delivered an $8.1 million upgrade between February 2025 and March 2026, and the park now leads up to Baillie Hill and the heritage-listed Elizabeth Baillie House.
The upgrade added the Mildred Creak Playground, designed with Autism Association WA for neurodiverse children, an amphitheatre and performance space, nature play, new paths, seating and barbecues, a dedicated space for Indigenous art, and a fully accessible toilet block with a Changing Places facility. The park remains on the Town's dog exercise map and its facility list includes an off-lead area.
That mix is exactly why dog owners need a little extra care here. A new, inclusive playground attracts families, and some children are anxious around dogs. Use the open space away from the play equipment, keep recall tight and put the lead on when walking past the playground or amphitheatre.
Sunday Morning At The Vic Park Markets
If your stay includes a Sunday, plan the morning around John Macmillan Park. The Vic Park Markets run every Sunday from 8am to 12pm at John Macmillan Park on Kent Street in East Victoria Park. They are run by the Rotary Club of Victoria Park with support from the Town, and entry is free.
The Town's listing describes fresh produce, coffee, breakfast foods and handmade goods, with live music every week and face painting for children, weather permitting. The Town lists market dates every Sunday through October, November and December 2026. On Sunday 4 October 2026 the market is also hosting Vic Park Farmers Markets Goes Blue for Mental Health, with the Town promising giveaways, free bike servicing, arts and crafts and mindful stretch sessions from 8am to 12pm.
The Dogs of Australia Victoria Park guide describes the market as very dog-friendly and mentions a stallholder selling dog treats. Markets are still busy places with food, children and other dogs, so keep your dog on a short lead, bring water and step away to the edge of the park if your dog gets overwhelmed.
Since 1 November 2024 the John Macmillan Precinct, including the park and the areas around the library and Leisurelife, has been an alcohol-free zone, so it is a family-focused Sunday space.
River Time At Taylor Reserve And McCallum Park
For a change of scene, head north to the Swan River foreshore at Victoria Park. Taylor Reserve and McCallum Park sit side by side on the river, with the Perth City skyline across the water. It is a short drive from East Victoria Park and one of the most photogenic dog walks in the Town.
Taylor Reserve is on the Town's dog exercise map, and its facility list includes an off-lead area, walk and cycle paths, a car park, water fountains and a river foreshore. The Town lists toilets on Garland Street and an accessible toilet on Taylor Street, opened daily. There is also a free nine-hole disc golf course on the foreshore if the humans want something to do while the dog sniffs around.
These parks host many community and corporate events, so check for events before you go, and keep your dog on a lead on the busy shared paths.
Taylor Reserve gives you river air, space to run and one of the best free views of the Perth skyline, all within a short drive of East Victoria Park.
G.O. Edwards Park: The Nearest Fenced Option
G.O. Edwards Park at 173 Burswood Road, Burswood, is the answer for dogs whose recall is still a work in progress. The Town describes an ornamental lake with water birds, a gazebo overlooking the water, dog agility enclosures, a bouldering installation and about two kilometres of footpaths. Burswood Park's own dog page describes G.O. Edwards Park as the nearest fenced area, across Great Eastern Highway.
The Town's dog exercise list refers to the western end of the park, so look for signage showing where the exercise area and enclosures start. The lake and its birds are a real temptation for many dogs, which is one more reason to use the enclosed area for off-lead play and keep the lead on around the water.
Facilities listed by the Town include a car park off Burswood Road with accessible parking, another car park at Hawthorne Place, picnic areas, a playground, water fountains, seating and toilets open 6am to 6pm daily.
Burswood Park And Parkrun: On-Lead River Walks
Burswood Park is the long riverside stretch around the peninsula near Optus Stadium. Dogs are welcome, but Burswood Park's own rules say dogs must be kept on a leash at all times in all areas of the park, to protect bird life and other visitors. There are no off-leash zones inside the park, and the park warns that non-compliance may result in a $200 infringement notice.
If you want a structured start to a Saturday, parkrun Burswood Peninsula is a free, weekly 5 km walk, jog or run. The Town lists it at 8am every Saturday from 3 October to 19 December 2026. The course is entirely on permanent paths, starting near the pedestrian bridge and gate D, heading north toward the Windan Bridge and then south along the river. parkrun says you are welcome to take part with a dog on a short lead or short harness, kept under control throughout, but you cannot run with a pushchair and a dog at the same time.
parkrun parking is off Camfield Drive on non-stadium event days. When Optus Stadium hosts a big event, choose a quieter local park instead.
Coffee, Pubs And Food On Albany Highway With A Dog
Albany Highway is the heart of Victoria Park and East Victoria Park dining, and plenty of places have outdoor seating that works with a dog. Venue policies can change, so treat the names below as a starting point and ask staff before sitting down with your dog.
Social Manna
At the corner of Albany Highway and Mackie Street. Dogs of Australia describes plenty of dog-friendly places to sit in its alfresco area.
Antz In Ya Pantz
A local café and roastery name in Victoria Park that Dogs of Australia describes as a place where dogs are often seen outside with their owners.
The Balmoral Hotel
901 Albany Highway. Its website lists Tuesday to Saturday 10am to midnight and Sunday to Monday 10am to 10pm. Dogs of Australia describes a large outdoor area and water bowls for friendly dogs.
Spring Safety: Snakes, Warm Days And Tired Paws
Spring is a great time to visit Perth with a dog, but it is also when reptiles become active. The Town of Victoria Park notes that in spring and summer reptiles emerge to bask in the sun and are more active during the day, and at night in warm weather. Its advice for enjoying natural areas is to exercise your dog on a leash at all times and stick to paths, trails and walkways.
If you see a snake, the Town's advice is to remain calm, move slowly away, do not approach or aggravate it, and make sure your pets cannot reach it. It is illegal to kill any native animal. For a bite to a person, the Town's first aid steps are to stay calm, apply a firm compression bandage over the entire bitten limb starting from the bite site, immobilise the limb and call 000 immediately. If your dog may have been bitten, keep it still and quiet and get to a vet straight away.
Warm days are the other spring issue. Walk early and late, carry water, test hot paths with the back of your hand and never leave a dog in a parked car.
Before you travel, save the details of a vet and a 24-hour emergency vet near East Victoria Park in your phone. It is a small job that saves precious time if something goes wrong.
Getting Around Perth With A Dog
The biggest practical point for a Perth dog trip is transport. Transperth's animal policy allows approved assistance dogs to travel, and states that no other animals are allowed on any of its services or facilities. That means buses, trains and ferries are off the table for your pet.
In practice you will want a car for the river parks and beaches. Pack a car harness or crate, a towel for muddy paws and a water bottle that lives in the car.
When the humans want a stadium night, a CBD dinner or a day on public transport, decide in advance how the dog will be looked after. Split the group, plan outings the dog can join, or talk to your host about what is allowed at the property while you are out.
Worth The Drive: River And Ocean Dog Beaches
The close-in parks cover most days, but if your dog loves water, plan one longer outing.
Riverside Gardens in Bayswater, on the Swan River, is the river option. The City of Bayswater says owners can still exercise dogs off the lead on the popular beach area at Riverside Gardens, and the off-lead area has been expanded to the open space at Riverside Gardens East. Dogs must be on lead west of the toilet block, near the playground and coffee van, and on lead when events or sport are happening.
For the ocean, Destination Perth lists coastal dog beaches including Mosman-Leighton, South Fremantle, Peasholm and Hillarys. Each is a proper day trip from East Victoria Park, so pick one, go early and check the local council's current rules first.
Why Sasha's Cottage on the Hill Suits A Dog-Friendly Perth Stay
Once you have decided that East Victoria Park suits a trip with your dog, Sasha's Cottage on the Hill is a practical base for it. The current listing describes a pet-friendly East Victoria Park cottage with three bedrooms, three bathrooms and room for up to six guests.
The outdoor space is the key feature for dog owners. The listing describes a private fenced backyard with a trampoline, a covered entertainment area with a four-burner barbecue and a six-person outdoor dining table. A secure front gate and private front entrance complete the setup. That makes early mornings and warm evenings easier: the humans can have coffee or dinner outside while the dog stays close. Check the fence suits your particular dog before leaving it outside on its own.
The house rules for pets are clear and worth reading before you book. Guests are asked to read the house rules, keep pets off bedding and furniture, not keep pets locked up inside while the property is unattended, and clean up after pets before leaving the property. Plan your outings with that last point in mind.
Other listed features help on a longer stay: a full kitchen with a Nespresso coffee setup, a washer and dryer for dog towels, free private on-site parking for the car you will need, self check-in with a key safe and fast internet. The listing also notes high-grade linen and no cleaning fees. Confirm pet approval and any conditions when you book.
About this stay
Where Sasha's Cottage on the Hill fits a stay with your dog
Sasha's Cottage on the Hill is a pet-friendly East Victoria Park cottage with a private fenced backyard, covered barbecue area and outdoor dining, so early mornings and warm evenings can be spent outside with the dog close by. Local off-leash parks and Albany Highway cafés are a short walk or drive away.
With three bedrooms, three bathrooms, a full kitchen, a washer and dryer and free private on-site parking, it suits families and groups of up to six travelling with a dog. Read the pet house rules and confirm approval when you book.
How Families And Groups Can Use The House With A Dog
A dog trip is often a family or group trip too. The cottage's three bedrooms and three bathrooms mean up to six guests can share the house without everyone queuing in the morning, which matters when one person is heading out early for the dog walk while others sleep in.
Indoors, the listing describes a 75-inch TV and six-person leather lounge connecting with a six-person dining table, a good place to regroup on a hot afternoon while the dog rests.
The fenced backyard and trampoline give children something to do at home, and a guest review mentions that the kids enjoyed the trampoline out the back. If your dog gets excited around bouncing children, supervise shared backyard time or take turns.
Guests also describe a quiet street close to shops and restaurants, so coffee and supplies on Albany Highway do not need a big outing.
A Relaxed Three-Day Dog-Friendly Itinerary
Day One: Arrive And Learn The Neighbourhood
After check-in, let the dog explore the backyard and settle. In the late afternoon, take a short on-lead walk to your nearest exercise area, such as Harold Rossiter Reserve or Fraser Park, to burn off travel energy. Keep dinner simple with takeaway from Albany Highway.
Day Two: River Morning, Easy Afternoon
Start at G.O. Edwards Park for off-lead play in the agility area, then cross to Burswood Park for an on-lead river walk. If it is a Saturday, join parkrun Burswood Peninsula at 8am with your dog on a short lead. Head back before the warmest part of the day, have lunch at the house and rest. Finish with a sunset walk at Taylor Reserve.
Day Three: Market Morning Or Beach Day
On a Sunday, walk to the Vic Park Markets at John Macmillan Park between 8am and 12pm for breakfast, coffee and a browse with the dog on a short lead. On other days, choose one bigger outing, either Riverside Gardens for a river beach or a designated coastal dog beach. Keep the evening quiet at the cottage.
What To Pack For Your Dog
Start with the essentials: a strong lead, a collar with ID and registration tag, any paperwork you normally carry and plenty of waste bags. A spare lead in the car is useful.
For comfort, bring your dog's own bed or blanket, food, bowls, a collapsible water bowl for walks, towels for muddy or sandy paws and any regular medication. Because the house rules ask guests to keep pets off bedding and furniture, a familiar bed on the floor makes that much easier for the dog.
For spring, add a cooling mat or damp towel for warm afternoons and a basic pet first aid kit. A crate can also help some dogs settle in a new place.
Before Leaving Home: Your Dog-Friendly Stay Check
1Booking: Confirm pet approval, conditions and house rules for your stay.
2Parks: Check the Town of Victoria Park's current dog exercise map and park pages.
3Events: Check Optus Stadium and foreshore events before planning a Burswood or river walk.
4Vet: Save a local vet and a 24-hour emergency vet in your phone.
5Transport: Plan to drive, as pets are not allowed on Transperth services.
6Weather: Check the forecast and plan walks for cooler parts of the day.
Where can I let my dog off the lead in East Victoria Park?
Only in dog exercise areas declared by the Town of Victoria Park. The Town's map includes Harold Rossiter Reserve, Fraser Park, John Macmillan Park (Kent Street Reserve), John Bissett Reserve, Kate Street Reserve and Elizabeth Baillie Park in East Victoria Park, plus others across the Town. Check the current map and park signs before letting your dog off the lead.
Do dogs have to be on a lead in Perth?
Yes, in most public places. Under WA's Dog Act 1976, a dog in a public place in the metropolitan area must be held on a lead or harness by someone capable of controlling it, unless it is in a declared dog exercise area. Even there, you must stay close and carry a lead.
Are dogs allowed in Burswood Park?
Yes, on a lead. Burswood Park says dogs must be kept on a leash at all times in all areas of the park, with a possible $200 infringement for non-compliance. The nearest fenced area is G.O. Edwards Park across Great Eastern Highway.
Is there a fenced dog park near East Victoria Park?
G.O. Edwards Park at 173 Burswood Road, Burswood, has dog agility enclosures and is described by Burswood Park as the nearest fenced area. Check the signs for the exercise area's current boundaries.
Can I take my dog on Transperth buses or trains?
No. Transperth allows approved assistance dogs only and states that no other animals are allowed on its services or facilities. Plan to use a car for trips with your dog.
Are dogs welcome at the Vic Park Markets?
The Dogs of Australia Victoria Park guide describes the Sunday market as very dog-friendly. The market runs every Sunday from 8am to 12pm at John Macmillan Park. Keep your dog on a short lead, as it can be busy.
Can I do parkrun with my dog in Burswood?
Yes. parkrun Burswood Peninsula says you are welcome to take part with a dog on a short lead or short harness, kept under control throughout. You cannot run with a pushchair and a dog at the same time. The Town lists it at 8am each Saturday.
Where is the nearest dog beach to East Victoria Park?
Riverside Gardens in Bayswater has an off-lead beach area on the Swan River, subject to the City of Bayswater's rules. Coastal dog beaches such as Mosman-Leighton, South Fremantle, Peasholm and Hillarys are longer day trips.
What should I do about snakes when walking my dog in spring?
Keep your dog on a lead in natural areas and stick to paths, as the Town of Victoria Park advises. If you see a snake, move slowly away and keep your dog from reaching it. If you suspect a bite, get to a vet straight away.
Is Sasha's Cottage on the Hill pet-friendly?
Yes. The current listing describes a pet-friendly cottage with a private fenced backyard. Guests are asked to keep pets off bedding and furniture, not keep pets locked up inside while the property is unattended, and clean up after pets before leaving. Confirm approval and conditions when booking.
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