Indie, my ‘Melbourne for Dogs’ co-author!
I am currently working on a new Woodslane Press guidebook with a twist: it’s for dogs (and their walkers)! Melbourne for Dogs will be out by spring 2013 and will feature information about where you can take your canine friend to walk both on leash and off, and will include parks, bushland and beaches within a 50km radius of Melbourne, as well as a bit further afield for those who like to get out for the weekend. There will also be information on dog-friendly cafes, boarding kennels, dog training schools, as well as some longer dog-friendly self-guided walks.
If you (or your dog!) has a favourite off leash area in Melbourne which you want to ensure is included – please let me know!
Hi Julie – keep us in the loop! We are a new pet sitting listing service called PetHomeStay, launching in Melbourne right now. We are focussing on off lead dog parks to find sitters and will be taking your recommendations along!
Fantastic – we should be publishing in time for Christmas, and I will be including a list of boarding kennels and pet sitting services, so great to hear from you. Thanks for your interest! Kind regards, Julie
I was wondering if you had your book published yet as I am looking for a guide book on the best dog walks/parks etc in Melbourne?
Hi Alex – thanks for your email. I am glad you are looking for exactly what I am writing! But unfortunately I am still in the write up stage, which should be finished by April, then it will be a couple more months to go through the editing and publishing process, so I would have though August is realistic. No, I am sorry that there aren’t other books (which is why I am writing this one). I have written some articles about the best dog beaches, best off-leash areas and best bushwalking track to take your dogs on in Melbourne, on Weekend Notes, which will at least get you started. Try the link below to get you there, and you can then search under my name (Julie Mundy) to find the relevant articles. Otherwise, your best bet is to look under your local council website, as they almost all have lists of off leash areas in parks in their locality, though sometimes it can be a bit hard to find. Hope that helps in the meantime. Julie.
Thanks for that Julie – are you able to email me some of things you have written? A friend of mine is moving to Melton and has two dogs and we are wanting to put something together for her?
Hi Alex – thanks for your note. Unfortunately, I don’t have those 4 articles in emailable format, as they are uploaded directly onto the Weekend Notes website, but if you have a look at them there, you can print them off. In terms of Melton, unfortunately it’s not a very dog-friendly shire. Dogs must be on a lead at all times except in the 2 (yes, only 2) designated off-leash dog parks, which are at Navan Park in Melton West and Boronia Reserve in Hillside. I am sure if she gets out there though, the local dog owners will soon let her know where the best places are to exercise her dog. Hope that helps, J.
Along the banks of the Yarra at Warrandyte is a short & sometimes busy but beautiful place to walk a pooch.
Thanks Jenni – I explored along there for my Melbourne Walks book, and was totally entranced with the whole Warrandyte area, especially the paths along the Yarra. I will look at it again with my ‘dog walk’ eyes on, so thanks agian for your recommendation. J
Hi Julie, can’t wait for the book. Doggy Beach, Altona. It’s wonderful, my dogs Benny and Jack can hardly contain themselves when we go there and both have become great little swimmers, they are from Alice Springs so the sea was new to them! Rachael.
Thanks Rachael – I discovered the wide tidal flats of Altona Beach doing one of eh walks for the Melbourne book – and you are right it is probably one of the best dog beaches in Melbourne. Very impressive that your dogs adjusted ot the icy Port Phillip Bay waters to readily! J
Where would I be able to pick up a copy of your book? My dog LOVES to go on different walkies though I find myself spending ages looking for places she’s allowed to come on the internet before we can even think of leaving- i look forward to having the many places we can go ready and at my fingertips thanks to you!
Hi Matilda -Thanks for your enquiry. I am still collating and writing the book at the moment – it should be out in the new year. You are right – the reason I decided to write the book was because it was just so difficult to find out where to take your dog off-leash. In the meantime, I have written a couple of short articles with Weekend Notes about places you can take your dog off-leash in Melbourne, which you can find via these links (Just cut and paste them into your browser): http://www.weekendnotes.com/best-dog-beaches-melbourne/ and http://www.weekendnotes.com/dog-friendly-bushwalking-tracks-melbourne/ Hope this helps! Julie
Hi Everyone, I would be interested in a copy of the book as I am trying to find somewhere in Epping (Vic) where my beloved boy and me can make new friends, If anyone knows of anywhere in or near Epping that we can go to make new friends, please let me know. Thanks.
Hi Lynn – my Melbourne Dogs book won’t be out until mid-year, but taking your dog out for a walk in the local dog park is a great way to meet new people. If you have a look on the council website, they should have a listing of which parks are suitable for off-leash roaming, and guaranteed there will be a regular bunch of dog walkers there to welcome you. Good luck!
http://www.whittlesea.vic.gov.au/pets-plants-and-animals/pets-and-animals/off-leash-areas
one of these is in Epping
Thanks Sue – that’s really helpful. I am spending a lot of time digging around council websites in collating the book. Some are very helpful and user friendly for dog owners, and some are absolutely not!
We recently moved to Coburg and love taking our dogs to Shore Reserve (cnr Melville and Reynard). It is an off-leash park with plenty of space and a good group of regular dogs and owners that all seem to play well together.
That’s a great recommendation Leonie – I’ll make sure to bring my dog and check it out for the book! J.
Hi Julie,
I am a dog minder in Melbourne and I specialise in confidence building for shy, anxious and under-socialised dogs. As well as minding dogs, I I take some (usually 3-4) on 1 day “Park Adventures” to places like Yarra Bend, Westgate Park, Cheltenham Park etc. where we have a picnic and go exploring.
I also run 2-3 day “Dog Camps” in my camper van. We go to dog friendly camping areas like Rubicon State Forest, Mt Dissappointment, Howqua River etc.
I’d love to talk to you about being included in, or contributing to your book (if it’s not too late!) or being involved in some other way. I am working on creating a website around what I do…when I can find the time.
Hope to make contact with you,
Cheers, Lee S-M
Hi Lee – thanks so much for getting in touch. I am so glad to hear about your service, which sounds terrific. I Will send you an email so that we can figure out how to include info about your initiative in the book as it fits very well with one of the chapters I am finalising on bushwalks, state parks etc where you can take your dogs to walk and camp. Kind wishes, Julie
Hi Julie, in case your readers need tips on how to enjoy being out and about with their dog even more by having a reliable recall, and nice leash walking manners, let me know – happy to contribute. I’m a positive trainer and focus on real life dog training skills. My website has some tips on great parks and off leash beaches as well, in case you still need some more ideas: http://www.deltadogz.com.au. Looking forward to hearing from you.
Daniela
Thanks Daniela, for being in touch – I have had a look at your website and it looks great – lots of great tips and destinations. I will get in touch with you via your website to have a chat. Kind wishes, Julie