The Best Dog-Friendly Parks In Sydney

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.

1. Centennial Parklands

Dog Park, Park

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

2. 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.

3. Dan Mahoney Reserve

Park

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

5. Rowland Reserve

Park

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

6. North Shelley Beach

Park

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.

7. Sirius Cove Reserve

Dog Park, Park

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

Day at the Dog Park | © M&R Glasgow/Flickr

8. 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.

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.