Leash-free areas

We encourage responsible dog owners to have ‘Leash-Free’ fun with their dogs at the Shire's many designated Leash-Free areas located around the Mornington Peninsula. Exercising your dog contributes towards a more healthy, active lifestyle for you and your dog.

Leash-Free areas play an important part in reducing dog nuisance problems for our community. Dogs that get regular exercise and positive stimulation are less likely to be bored and cause a nuisance by barking and socialised dogs are less likely to be aggressive

Leash-Free activities may be restricted to specific areas and/or times in some reserves (refer to our Leash-Free brochure(PDF, 1MB) for more details). Please read the signs carefully on entering the reserve or park.

For information about dogs in Mornington Peninsula National Park please visit the Parks Victoria website.

We encourage you to provide community feedback about Leash-Free dog exercise areas. Please contact us on 1300 850 600 or by email customerservice@mornpen.vic.gov.au

Dog Prohibited Areas 

Whenever you are exercising your dog, make sure to keep an eye out for signs indicating whether you may be in a Leash Free Area or a Dog Prohibited Area.

Dogs must always be under the effective control of a chain, cord or leash whilst in a public place except in a designated LEASH-FREE area. It is always recommended to have your dog on lead until you reach a leash free zone where you can unclip them. Dogs are not permitted in DOG PROHIBITED areas, whether on a leash or not.

Wherever you head with your dog, please make sure you:

  • follow instructions on local signage
  • stay out of Prohibited Areas
  • keep your dog on leash, except in the designated off leash areas
  • collect and dispose of droppings
  • carry a leash and keep your dog under effective control on off-leash beaches at all times
  • ensure your dog doesn’t disturb other people, animals and wildlife.

Beaches

There are a number of Shire beaches that are dog friendly. However, the Shire does not manage all the beaches around the peninsula coastline. Beaches that are managed by the State Government through Department of Sustainability and Environment and Parks Victoria are NOT Leash-Free areas.

For more information please see our Dogs on Beaches page.

Please clean up after your dog

Responsible dog owners must always ensure they have a plastic bag to clean up after their dogs. Failure to clean up after your dog may result in an ‘on-the-spot’ fine of more than $100.

For helpful information for dog owners, including legal requirements, healthcare, desexing, managing barking problems and dog training visit www.agriculture.vic.gov.au/pets

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