Take a paws from the daily grind to explore the amazing array of dog parks Sydney has to offer. There are more than 400 dog friendly parks and open spaces to enjoy with your furry friend across the harbour city.
Exercise is vital to keep pets and their humans physically and mentally active. So, if yard space or time outdoors is limited, find somewhere inspiring to work off energy together. Plan a short coastal or bushland jaunt, explore a new park, play fetch or chase with a dog-friendly footy. Outdoor adventures are ideal to stave off boredom too. Your dog will love soaking up the sights, sounds and smells of new environments.
Before you choose where to go, consider what you want to do. Are you heading out for fitness or fun? Do you prefer harbour views, swimming spots, bush walks, open runs, training zones, off-leash areas or fenced dog parks? Do you want to socialise, grab a cuppa or have a family picnic too?
The 12 best dog parks in Sydney
Sydney has it all, so check out our list of the top 12 dog friendly parks, grab the poo bags and get exploring!
1. Sydney Park, Alexandria
Space to run, play, explore and splash… what more could a pooch want in inner-Sydney? This 40-hectare site is among the largest leash-free dog parks Sydney offers. Tire them out with their favourite interactive toys then let them cool down and make friends in the pet paddling pool. The park has lush wetlands with native birds, heritage-listed brickworks, an all-ability playground, fitness equipment and cycle track. Enjoy barbecues, picnic areas or a cuppa at the café. Sydney Park is best for leisurely family time. Some areas are out-of-bounds to dogs so take turns playing with your fur baby then everyone has time to explore.
2. Observatory Hill Park, City
Stunning views ensure Observatory Hill Park is one of the off-leash dog parks Sydney pet owners love most. This 24-hour park is on a grassy hill overlooking Sydney Harbour Bridge and the Opera House. If you’re both feeling energetic, go for a jog or try the outdoor fitness equipment. Take a stroll to see the public art or explore Australia’s first observatory. Observatory Hill Park is best if you like a park with a view, whether you’re exercising or relaxing in the shade with your canine companion.
3. Bungarribee Park, Western Sydney
Keen to work off some of your fluffball’s boundless energy? Head to Bungarribee Park in Western Sydney Parklands. The 200-hectare site boasts one of the largest off-leash dog parks Sydney has: the Warrigal Dog Run. Water stations, poo bags and covered seating areas are available. Check out walking and cycling tracks, scenic wetlands, adventure playgrounds, water play equipment and picnic shelters. Bungarribee Park is best for expending energy and socialising. The fenced run is ideal for training or controlling dogged escape artists.
4. Shale Hills Dog Park, Western Sydney
When you’re looking for dog-friendly parks with a difference, this site should be on your list. As the largest off-leash dog area in Western Sydney Parklands, it offers five hectares of open space. Try your four-legged friend on the dog agility course or self-guided training activity stations. There’s a sensory garden, water fountains, shaded areas, plus on-leash walking and cycling trails. Shale Hills Dog Park is best for spending quality time together and learning new skills.
5. Centennial Parklands, Sydney's East
Centennial Park is the favoured destination for hundreds of thousands of dogs each year. With 158 hectares of off-leash open space, you and your buddy will have plenty of adventures. There’s so much to see – native gardens, lush wetlands, ponds and lawns. And there’s so much to do with sports fields, fitness stations, cycle tracks, horse riding trails, a wild play garden and treehouse. Be aware of designated on-leash spaces, and areas where dogs are prohibited. Centennial Parklands is best for exploring, running, socialising or dog training classes.
6. Rushcutters Bay Park
Picturesque harbour views: check. Foreshore walk: check. Exercise options for pooches and people: check. Rushcutters Bay Park ticks all the boxes for a relaxing outing with your dog. Walk or jog along the foreshore to Yarranabbe Park, or play fetch on the grassy grounds. Fitness stations, sports fields and playgrounds may be off-limits to dogs. Rushcutters Bay Park is best for active people and pets with an eye for a water view. Choose designated off-leash times so your buddy gets a workout too.
7. Rowland Reserve Dog Park, Bayview
If your canine is a water baby, head for Rowland Reserve. This is a park and dog beach in one, making it one of the most popular leash-free dog parks Sydney pet owners frequent. A large flat grassy area provides space to play chase or ball games. Then when you’re ready to cool off, head to the beach for some water play time together. Rowland Reserve Park is best for socialising with other pets and pet parents, on land or in water.
8. Hawthorne Canal Reserve, Leichardt
Hawthorne Canal Reserve is a popular meeting spot for owners and their pets. It’s one of the biggest off-leash dog parks Sydney has. Grab a frisbee, ball and ball launcher to keep them busy on the grassy lawn of the semi-enclosed park. Then visit Café Bones to treat your companion to the world’s first café-style dog beverage - the Pupaccino! Hawthorne Canal Reserve is best for catching up with others, or training sessions.
9. Blackwattle Bay Park, Glebe
Blackwattle Bay Park provides a great pitstop along the Glebe Foreshore Walk. Beautiful grassy areas provide spacious grounds to romp with your furry friend – and the park is off-leash at all times! Enjoy a barbecue or picnic while you take in the view. There’s also a children’s playground and toilets. Blackwattle Bay Park is best for people and pets who like relaxing outdoors or walking from Bicentennial Park to Pyrmont Fish Markets.
10. Marks Park, Tamarama
Regular trekkers along the scenic Bondi to Bronte coastal walk know the perfect place to break the journey: Marks Park. Climb the stairway to pooch paradise, where you’ll find a flat grassy area with stunning views to the north over Bondi Bay and to the south towards Coogee. There’s room to romp with your pet and don’t panic if you forget their favourite play gear – grab a frisbee or dog toy from the park share basket. Poo bags are also available. Marks Park is best as a stop along the coastal walk. Make sure you obey timed off-leash area restrictions.
11. St Ives Showground
St Ives Showground is ideal for socialising with other pets and their parents. This fully off-leash park offers your furry friend stacks of space to run and play. There are open and fenced dog training areas plus competition zones. Don’t forget the annual Dogs Day Out too. The showground houses sports fields, playgrounds, bike tracks and picnic areas so note out-of-bounds areas. St Ives Showground is best for dog training, exercising and socialising with like-minded people.
12. Sirius Cove Reserve, Mosman
This protected harbourside foreshore is a favourite haven for families with pets. Sirius Cove is surrounded by bushland, with entry via the harbour walking track or near Taronga Zoo. Enjoy the dog-friendly beach then relax in shady picnic grounds. The park is generally off-leash on weekdays, and has restricted off-leash times on weekends and holidays. Visitors enjoy bushwalking, fishing and sailing. Sirius Cove Reserve is best for socialising, swimming and picnicking with your buddy.
Discover more dog friendly parks in Sydney
Scope out more popular parks here – some are well-known while others are hidden gems. Look for dog-friendly picnic areas, and follow this guide for planning a picnic with your pooch. Always check park signs for on-leash and off-leash areas and times, and know which areas are out-of-bounds for dogs. Stay hydrated during exercise, and take a stash of poo bags to clean up!
