Correction (9 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 5 October 2026 and 9 October 2026.
An off-lead area is only legal where the council says it is. This page lists six places in and around Northcote: four parks with a council-listed off-lead area, and two venues that say dogs are welcome. They sit in Northcote, Clifton Hill, Fitzroy North and Fairfield.
The parks come first, with the council’s wording, then the venues with their own statements. Darebin and Yarra are different councils, so check the council order for off-lead times, because we found none we could print.
The quick picks
| If you’re after | Head to | Where |
|---|---|---|
| Off-lead area off Brickworks Lane | All Nations Park | Separation Street, Northcote |
| Off-lead reserve behind the aquatic centre | McDonell Reserve | 180a Victoria Road, Northcote |
| Dogs welcome in the outdoor area | Welcome to Thornbury | 520 High Street, Northcote |
| Yarra park with off-leash area | Mayors Park | Turnbull Street, Clifton Hill |
| Off-leash area and playground | Park Street Reserve | 68 Park St, Fitzroy North |
| Wine bar that welcomes dogs | Rocket Wine | 28 Railway Place, Fairfield |
All Nations Park — Separation Street, Northcote VIC 3070
Per Darebin, All Nations Park lists Dogs off-lead as an area where dogs can be taken off leash. The council also says dogs must be on lead and under supervision everywhere at all times except at the designated off-lead area off Brickworks Lane. Its directory page says no dogs are allowed in the wetland, and lists a drinking fountain, walking paths and public toilets.
Off-leash status: Off-lead only at the designated area off Brickworks Lane, as listed by the council; check the council order for times.
McDonell Reserve — 180a Victoria Road, Northcote VIC 3070
Darebin’s directory lists McDonell Reserve with Dogs off-lead, a drinking fountain, walking paths and a cricket pitch. The council describes it as a local sports and recreation space behind the Northcote Aquatic and Recreation Centre. OpenStreetMap names it McDonell Park.
Bring: Bags, and a look at the council’s rule that dogs be on a lead and in control within 10 metres of certain places; we could not read the full list.
Welcome to Thornbury — 520 High Street, Northcote VIC 3070
Welcome to Thornbury’s site says: We love dogs! Generally we prefer them over the company of people. They’re welcome in the outdoor area. AGFG tags it Pet Friendly. The site lists WED-FRI 4:00PM - LATE and SAT-SUN 12:00PM - LATE.
Inside or outside only: Outside only, going by the venue’s own statement, which names the outdoor area and nothing else.
Mayors Park — Turnbull Street, Clifton Hill VIC 3068
This is a City of Yarra park, not a Darebin one. Yarra’s page lists a Dog off-leash area alongside a drinking fountain, playground, picnic area and public toilets. It also describes public tennis and netball courts and plenty of open space.
Off-leash status: Listed by Yarra as a dog off-leash area; the page gave no times, so check the council order.
Park Street Reserve — 68 Park St, Fitzroy North VIC 3068
Yarra’s page says: Park Street Reserve has a dog off-leash area. The same page lists a playground, barbecue, basketball court, drinking fountain and seating, and says the playground, barbeque and shade make it perfect for family picnics.
Off-leash status: Off-leash area as listed by Yarra; check the council order for the boundaries and times.
Rocket Wine — 28 Railway Place, Fairfield VIC 3078
Rocket Wine’s site says: Dogs always welcome. It does not say whether that covers inside or only outside, so ask. The site calls it a wine bar and bottle shop rolled into one, says BYO food from anywhere nearby, and notes public-holiday hours may vary.
Inside or outside only: Not stated on the site, so check with the venue; it lists Tuesday to Thursday 3pm to 10pm and Friday 2pm to 11pm.
Quick answers
Where are the off-lead dog parks in Northcote?
Darebin lists All Nations Park, where the designated off-lead area is off Brickworks Lane, and McDonell Reserve, which lists Dogs off-lead. Yarra lists a dog off-leash area at Mayors Park in Clifton Hill and at Park Street Reserve in Fitzroy North.
Can you take a dog to a pub or bar in Northcote?
Welcome to Thornbury’s site says dogs are welcome in the outdoor area, and AGFG tags it Pet Friendly. Rocket Wine in Fairfield says Dogs always welcome, without saying inside or outside.
Do dogs have to stay on a lead in Northcote parks?
At All Nations Park, Darebin says dogs must be on lead and under supervision everywhere at all times except at the designated off-lead area off Brickworks Lane. For other parks, check the council order.
Is there a dog-friendly wine bar near Northcote?
Rocket Wine in Fairfield says on its site: Dogs always welcome. It describes itself as a wine bar and bottle shop and lists BYO food from anywhere nearby; ask whether dogs may come inside.
How we checked
We checked every place on this page against at least two independent sources between 5 October 2026 and 9 October 2026: OpenStreetMap, council pages, the Australian Good Food Guide and the places’ own websites. We copied no menu prices from these places’ own pages, so this page prints none. 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
- All Nations Park: openstreetmap.org/27527691, darebin.vic.gov.au/All-nations-park, darebin.vic.gov.au/Northcote, darebin.vic.gov.au/Pets-in-parks
- McDonell Reserve: openstreetmap.org/27530672, darebin.vic.gov.au/Mcdonell-reserve, darebin.vic.gov.au/Pets-in-parks
- Welcome to Thornbury: openstreetmap.org/446510662, agfg.com.au/welcome-to-thornbury-57256, welcometothornbury.com
- Mayors Park: openstreetmap.org/21420462, yarracity.vic.gov.au/mayors-park
- Park Street Reserve: openstreetmap.org/32741480, yarracity.vic.gov.au/park-street-reserve
- Rocket Wine: openstreetmap.org/11729092708, rocketwine.com.au
