Three awesome autumnal walks for the whole family (yes, that includes dogs)

Posted on 18 April, 2024

We’re here to help you find the most spectacular autumnal foliage in Canberra with these easy family-friendly and dog-friendly walks.

As long-time locals, we’ve researched the best short walks through the prettiest areas of Canberra, with a particular focus on dog and kid-friendliness. Here are three of our favourites.

As well as awesome autumnal colour, these walks feature one or more:

• Dog-friendly and kid-friendly cafés.
• Dog off-leash opportunities.
• Children’s playgrounds.

These walks are also mainly flat, follow a circular loop with minimal retracing of steps, and are completed in 40 – 75 minutes.

To make it even easier, we’ve provided links to free detailed directions and Google Maps of the routes.

Read on to plan your walk before the awesome colours fade!

Manuka-Griffith walk

This ultra-pretty and easy route follows a series of linked off-leash parks featuring mature exotic trees that are just gorgeous in autumn.

There are plenty of open green spaces for kids and dogs to run rampant, opportunities for creek paddles, and a high likelihood of meeting other kids and dogs.

There’s a super children’s playground at the beginning of the walk with a slide, swings and climbing frames, with picnic tables nearby, plus another smaller playground en route in Wells Gardens.

You can complete the route in around 35 minutes walking without pause but the extensive parks invite lots of dawdling.

The walk starts and ends at Griffith Park behind the Manuka shopping centre which has several cafés with outdoor tables—especially around ‘the lawns’—that are perfect for kids and dogs.

Start/Finish

Griffith Park from Murray Crescent

Time/Distance

Allow 45 minutes/approx 3 km

Parking

Free parking on Captain Cook Crescent and Flinders Way, and ample pay parking at Manuka shopping centre

Dog and kid-friendly café

Several cafés at Manuka shopping centre, especially off Bougainville Street

Public toilets

At the far rear of Manuka Terrace (entrance off Flinders Way)

Playgrounds

Griffith Park and Wells Gardens

Click here for detailed directions and Google Map

Watson walk

Modest Watson is a quiet, older suburb unjustly overlooked. This walk follows a pleasant, flat, simple to navigate, and relatively short walk that still provides ample off-leash opportunities for dogs and safe open spaces for kids.

The route follows a series of interconnecting informal parks and includes a large, green sports ground for energetic ball games at the beginning and end of the walk.

Two small playgrounds are encountered en route nestled in quiet parks under spectacular golden-leafed elms.

The walk can be completed easily in around 40 minutes but some additional meandering could stretch it to an hour.

The walk starts and ends at the small but inviting Watson shops where there are several dog and kid-friendly coffee/eating options including The Knox cafe/bar, a bistro and takeaway joint—all with outdoor tables.

Start/Finish

Watson shops, Watson Place

Time/Distance

Allow 40 minutes/approx 2.5 km

Parking

Watson Place and Gwynne Street

Dog and kid-friendly café

The Knox, and other options with outdoor tables, at the Watson shops

Public toilets

None; you’ll need to ask the café or bistro proprietors

Playgrounds

One in the park running between Watson Neighbourhood Oval and Piddington Street, and one between each end of Irvine St

Click here for detailed directions and Google Map

Yarralumla pram-friendly walk

A hidden gem, family-friendly Weston Park in Yarralumla provides the setting for this very lovely and generally flat walk that is paved the whole way.

The route meanders around the peninsula of Weston Park featuring mature native and exotic trees that are stunning in autumn, lovely lake views, several fantastic children’s playgrounds and lots of picnic tables.

Dogs must be on leash but the walk starts and ends at the fully fenced Yarralumla Dog Park where your dog can play off-leash and socialise with other dogs. There is also a dog off-leash swimming spot very close to the dog park.

The walk can be completed in an hour without pause but your kids will never let you rush past Weston Park’s playgrounds. The route passes a dog-friendly and kid-friendly café, Oaks Brasserie, with tables set under those beautiful trees, or you can drive/walk to the nearby Yarralumla shops for other cafes.

Start/Finish

Yarralumla Dog Park, corner Banks and Brown Streets

Time/Distance

Allow 75 minutes/approx 4 km

Parking

Gravel car park next to Yarralumla Dog Park at the corner of Banks and Brown Streets

Dog and kid-friendly café

Oaks Brasserie, and others at the Yarralumla shops

Public toilets

Several throughout Weston Park

Playgrounds

Several in Weston Park

Click here for detailed directions and Google Map

Note – Dogs are not permitted on children’s playgrounds while they are being used. You’ll need to tether your dog just outside the playground perimeter if spending time there with your children.