The Best Dog-Friendly Parks in Sydney

Muttley | © pete beard/Flickr

As a nature and wildlife lovers delight, it comes as no surprise that Sydney is laden with dog lovers. It seems our furry four-legged friends are everywhere in this great big cosmopolitan mecca, stretching from sand to city; and, although Sydney is widely dog-friendly, here are the top parks (and beaches) for man’s best friend to run free.

Centennial Parklands

Centennial Parklands prides itself as being one of the most dog-friendly parks in Sydney with 43% of the entire parklands listed as off-leash zones for our furry friends; that’s a whopping 154 hectares to be exact. Popular run-free walks include the Sandstone Ridge and Federation Valley. And, incase you forget, Centennial Parklands has many waste bag dispensers and bins dotted among the grounds.

Centennial Parklands, Grand Drive, Centennial Park, Sydney, Australia, +61 (02) 9339 6699

Dog Park Days | © BigOakFlickr/Flickr

Sydney Park

Park

Sydney Park is one of the city’s most popular dog-friendly places to hang with four-legged pooches. With an impressive off-leash zone, barbecue facilities and play areas for kids, Sydney Park makes for a great day for the entire family. No dog zones are limited to barbecue areas and wetlands, for safety reasons.

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416 Sydney Park Road, Alexandria, New South Wales, 2015, Australia

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Dan Mahoney Reserve

This park is the perfect place to bring your furry friend. The entire 3.3 hectare reserve is an off-leash zone allowing pups and pooches to socialise and play at ease, with separate fenced areas for younger canines in need of a little more training. Waste bags and bins are provided around the park, as well as water for your pets as they play.

Dan Mahoney Reserve, 75 Gladstone Street, North Parramatta, Sydney, Australia, +61 (02) 9806 5050

Sunrise | © cellanr/Flickr

St Ives Showground

This doggy haven is Ku-ring-gai’s (a local government area in the Upper North Shore region of Sydney) largest and most elaborate sporting and recreational area. Boasting facilities for BMX riding, BBQs, soccer fields and horse and dog training grounds (both open and fenced), this is the perfect place for your pooch to feel at home. Watch out for the annual Dogs Day Out, a doggie dress-up day with fun-filled activities, competitions and socialising for dogs of all breeds and sizes.

St Ives Showground, 450 Mona Vale Road, St. Ives, New South Wales, Australia, +61 (02) 9424 0353

Rowland Reserve

This is the perfect place to take your furry friend this summer. Set in the stunning area of Bayview in the Northern Beaches, Rowland Reserve allows canines to splash, frolic and just have fun in the sand, parklands, along nature trails, in the wide open green grass and more. No wonder why locals coin this park as “doggie heaven” on so many online dog-park forums.

Rowland Reserve, Pittwater Road, Bayview, Sydney, Australia, +61 (02) 9970 1111

Day Out | © anjanettew/Flickr

North Shelley Beach

For dogs that love to splash and play in the waves just like us, North Shelley Beach is paradise. Definitely not the place to go if you’re looking to have some downtime and to work on the tan, but this spot is perfect for social pups looking to make some new friends and play the most epic game of fetch in the sea.

Shelly Beach, New South Wales, Australia.

Sirius Cove Reserve

This stunning stretch of sand is one of the most-loved dog-friendly parks in Sydney due to its spectacular scenery and relaxed vibe. Fun for all the family, Sirius Cove Reserve also has a lovely little picnic and BBQ area, a quiet beach and a playground. Although dogs are always welcome in this Sydney park, off-leash access is listed as 24 hours from Monday to Friday and before 9am and after 4pm on Saturday, Sunday, as well as public holidays.

Sirius Cove Reserve, Sirius Cove Road, Mosman, Sydney, Australia, +61 (02) 9978 4000

Camperdown Memorial Rest Park

Memorial, Park

Although this park is technically an off-leash dog-friendly haven after 5pm and before 9am, pups are always running, jumping and playing in this Newtown green space. Popular with the young and fun local crowd, weekends usually see groups of friends rocking up with their picnic and some vino, along with the whole mutt-ley crew.