Koonung Creek Reserve

This is a great place to take your dog. It’s huge off-​leash area means your animal can run wild and socialise with all the other dogs.
It also means you can throw that ball as far away as you like, and not have to worry about hitting walls/​children/​traffic.
One of the more amazing features of the reserve is the Koonung Creek Trail which slices through it. Exercise equipment stations flank the trail along here. Free gym means no excuse not to get fit here (check out the pictures).
The trail is also great for runners/​cyclists/​rollerbladers because it’s well kept and no nasty potholes leap out at you.
There’s a nicely sized playground which is fenced to keep the dogs out and a toilet near by for the kids. A great reserve with plenty of features.

Heaven to dogs and dog walkers; the Koonung Creek Reserve is one enormous canine playground.
An off-​leash park, there are trails and ovals where dogs of every breed imaginable disport themselves and owners chat.
The Reserve also features a little lake, playground and exercise equipment set up periodically along the main trail.
The trail is ideal for beginner runners as the hills aren’t very steep, and there are a few benches and drinking fountains set up along the way.
The track that I normally take stretches from Bulleen Road along the Eastern Freeway to Doncaster Road. Its only short but makes a nice loop, and you aren’t too exposed to the freeway sound.
Keep your eyes pealed for Eastern Rosellas, Rainbow Lorikeets and other native wildlife around the lake, and if you’ve got kids with you the playground is great and includes a barbeque area and toilets.
The only downside is certain cyclists who speed along the track. Aggressive and not inclined to stop or let you know if they’re approaching make sure you keep an eye on your pets and kids.
This doesn’t occur every day, but I have witnessed poor behavior on the cyclist’s part from time to time.