Enny Sulivan
Best Dog Friendly Day Trips Sydney – Dogs and Sydney are not two related things. As much as I love my hometown of Sydney, Australia, he’s not the best dog, finding a place to sleep, carrying, or going out to eat.
But if you know where to look, there are great options for locals and visitors with dogs. So I thought I’d share some of Sydney’s dog-friendly secrets with you.
Best Dog Friendly Day Trips Sydney
Although many of Sydney’s top attractions are dog-free, whether it’s walking the Harbor Bridge or lazing on the sand at Bondi Beach, Sydney has plenty of dog-friendly tourist attractions.
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Don’t miss this great list of 35 dog-friendly things to do in Sydney – lots of fun things to do with your pup like never before!
Considering the number of beaches in Sydney, most of them do not allow dogs. However, there are a few options to consider. I’ve compiled a list of all the dog-friendly beaches in Sydney, as well as a guide to dog-friendly beaches in the Northern Beaches and Eastern Suburbs:
Rose Bay Beach (Rose Bay) – The closest dog-friendly beach to the city, this harborside beach lets dogs loose all day.
Silver Beach (Cronella, near Cronulla) – One of Sydney’s most southerly beaches, dogs are allowed on this part of Western Beach. There are soups and stews for the humans and water bowls for the dogs. The best part is that it’s not 24 hours and the water is calm because it’s in Botany Bay.
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Sirius Cove Reserve (Mosman) – Another beach in the harbor, but this time on the north side, this pebbly sand is next to a beautiful picnic area. Dogs are allowed on weekends, or all day after 4:00 pm and before 9:00 am on weekends and holidays.
Rowland Reserve (Bayview) – Located in beautiful Pits Water about an hour north of the CBD, this reserve is popular with big dogs. A convenient, mobile dog wash operates regularly here, and it’s across the street from Newport, a dog-friendly brewery.
McCauley Beach (Thirroul) – About an hour south of Sydney, this beach is perfect for a beautiful beach trip. Dogs are allowed off-leash throughout the day, but be aware of the sign as the beach is only dog-friendly during limited hours.
For fun with your dog, Sydney has more parks and reserves than beaches, although the location varies. Municipalities set rules, some municipalities allow off-leash dogs in all parks, and some municipalities only allow them in one or two parks.
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If you’re visiting central Sydney, here are some of the best dog-friendly parks:
Cook + Phillip Park (CBD) – Located behind St Mary’s Cathedral, this is Sydney’s largest shopping precinct. Dogs are allowed in all grassy areas, please keep them away from the playground and indoor pool.
Observatory Park (CBD) – Another dog park in the city, not far from the Sydney Harbor Bridge and the start of Walsh Bay Park. Be careful taking pictures with the wedding party at the weekend, they might not be happy with their lovely poi!
Barangaroo Precinct (CBD) – Although dogs must be off-leash in Barangaroo Precinct, dog exercise in the city near the harbor is a good option. There is a mix of harbor side roads and open grass.
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For a full list of dog parks, including some smaller ones outside of Sydney, see our list of non-Island dog parks in Sydney.
Outside the city centre, in the inner city or on the outskirts of Sydney, the best dog parks around Sydney are:
Centenary Park – Located 3km east of Sydney CBD, this is one of the best parks in the city. A huge area with everything from swimming pools to horse riding to playgrounds, 43% of the park is dog-free, with the most popular areas being Sandstone Ridge and Federal Valley. Check this page or the park’s sign first.
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Glebe Foreshore Parks (Glebe) – Walk along the Glebe end of Blackwattle Bay and you’ll find many parks clustered along the edge of the bay. Dogs are allowed throughout the park except for the stadium and playground. But in some areas they are allowed to remove their collars: on the west side of the canal and along the beach at the fish market. The signage along the way is very good.
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Sydney Park (Alexandria) – Located in the south of Sydney, the best dog park is Sydney Park, close to St Peters train station. Dogs are allowed off leash throughout the day, except in limited areas around playgrounds and bars. Sometimes there is a “pet pool” for dogs to dip in, though it’s a shallow mud bath.
Shale Hills Dog Park (West Hoxton) – I love this option for dogs in Western Sydney. The garden is large but enclosed. It has a small play area for small dogs, along with an agility course and training area to help train your dog. Click here for more information.
Unfortunately, unlike Melbourne’s Botanic Gardens, which allows pets inside, Sydney’s Royal Botanic Gardens does not allow dogs. This is clear from the presentation. On the other hand, Domain Park allows dogs, but on leashes.
The same rules apply at Mount Annan Australian Botanic Gardens and Blue Mountains Botanic Gardens Mount Thoma, meaning dogs are not allowed. If you’re looking for dog-friendly parks in NSW, check out our list of dog-friendly parks including parks.
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Despite being a big city, Sydney is surrounded by pockets of forest that are perfect for short (or long!) walks. Unfortunately, most of the forest is a national park, meaning dogs are not allowed. Fortunately, some tours are open to dogs.
For more ideas, check out my list of dog-friendly walks in and around Sydney. I also became a North Beach walking guide.
Bondi to the Hill Walk – This 6km walk in the eastern suburbs is one of the best things to do in Sydney and is perfect for walking your dog if you’re not walking the beach or walking your dog. (They’re one of Sydney’s best beaches, so dogs aren’t allowed.)
In summer it is best to do it in the morning or in the evening, to avoid the midday heat or in winter at any time of the day. There are also many traditional restaurants along the route.
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Manly Dam Circuit (Manly Vale) is one of Sydney’s longest dog-friendly circuits. The circuit is 7.3 kilometers long and takes about 3 hours. Dogs are allowed on the trail, but are not tethered to carts at the start of the tour.
Some dogs may find it difficult to walk over the water wall at the end of the walk. For two reasons, it is best to park only on King Street and walk through the parking lot and yard. Click here for more details.
Lake Parramatta (North Parramatta) – A beautiful forest area near Parramatta with free parking at the entrance. The entire circuit of the lake is 4.2 km, although there are 2 short trips (part of the entire circuit). Dogs are allowed on a leash and must stay on the sidewalk. Click here for more details.
(Just a note: many municipalities use bait to control foxes and other wildlife.
Dog Friendly Sydney, Nsw: Visiting Sydney With A Dog
Public transport in Sydney is not good. For starters dogs are not allowed on the fastest trains in and out of the city.
Dogs are allowed on buses, light rail and ferries provided they are in crates/bags and at the discretion of the driver. See the full list of rules.
If you want to take your dog to Sydney, there are a few rules you should follow. First, keep your dog in a crate or bag. See this article for pictures of my carrier bag and similar bags you can buy on Amazon.
You must ask the driver for permission. The most common reasons for refusing entry (including dogs in carriers) are:
