Sunny weekend with nothing planned? Pack Fido in the car and make a beeline for the coast.
Sydney has some of the best beaches in Australia and so many of them are pooch-friendly year round. Here’s a round up of some of our favourite dog beaches in Sydney and further afield to explore.
North Harbour Reserve, Balgowlah
If you’ve ever taken on the Manly to Spit Bridge walk on Sydney’s Northern Beaches, you’ll already be familiar with the absolute dog haven that is North Harbour Reserve in the suburb of Balgowlah. It’s an open, off-leash park where dogs can splash, swim and chase balls to their heart’s content. There’s even a poop station with bags and bins provided, but it’s always a good idea to bring your own just in case.
Silver Beach, Kurnell
Located in the Sutherland Shire with views of Botany Bay, Silver Beach is a great spot for dog owners living south of the city. Dogs are allowed off-leash at the western end of the beach in front of the Bonna Point Reserve car park. A boardwalk leads you down to a long strip of bright white sand with a roped-off swimming area for pet owners to cool off while their pups run amok.
Rowland Reserve, Bayview
Known to locals as the Bayview Dog Park, this off-leash dog park is one of the most popular in Sydney. The main reason – there’s no restrictions on when dogs can visit! While many other dog friendly beaches near Sydney allocate certain hours to dog visitation, Bayview Dog Park is an all-day fun park for pets. The beach is located on Pittwater, and when the tide is low, sand bars emerge from below the surface and provide even more terrain for adventurous dogs to explore.
Sirius Cove, Mosman
Just west of Taronga Zoo you’ll find the charming Sirius Cove, filled with bobbing sailboats. It’s a lovely little beach popular with families and dog lovers. On weekdays, your four-legged friend can play off-leash all day, while on weekends and public holidays before 9am and after 4pm. This is a beautiful site with views over the city, calm shallow water, plenty of shade and a large grassy picnic area.
Rose Bay Foreshore, Rose Bay
A lovely off-leash zone with a stretch of sandy beach and shallow water, Rose Bay Foreshore a great option for those inner-city pups. With loads of room to run around and a calm body of water to swim and paddle in, you’re both bound to have a good time. Relax as you breathe in that cool salty air, while your dog goes on a beachy adventure.
Kutti Beach, Vaucluse
If you want more to explore in the eastern suburbs, a seven-minute drive from Rose Bay Foreshore to Vaucluse will take you to Kutti Beach, a small slice of paradise surrounded by palm trees, yachts and crystal clear water. This is a favourite among locals, where you’ll feel like you’re a world away from the bustle of the city. Just make sure to keep your pup on a leash when visiting!
Day trips from Sydney
North Shelly Beach, Central Coast
The entire stretch between Shelly Beach Surf Club to Toowoon Bay is a dog friendly paradise, and it’s a social outing indeed. As one of the few off-leash beaches on the Central Coast, it’s not untrue to say that every man and their dog make their way to this stretch of sand every now and again. When the swell picks up, the waves can test even the strongest of four-legged swimmers, but there’s plenty of protected rock pools and inlets to explore as well.
Burrill Lake, Shoalhaven
Just south of Ulladulla, this little known slice of paradise is way too often overlooked by travellers making their way along the South Coast. It’s a “blink and you’ll miss it” type beach with a long winding inlet where the lake meets the sea. Here, dogs can swim and even give stand up paddleboarding a go with rentals available from the holiday park perched on the river mouth.
Enjoyed reading about the best dog beaches in Sydney? Check out the lowdown on where to eat, drink, play and stay with your pup on our Aussie Dogs page. Or, head directly to our dog-lover’s guide to Australia for a comprehensive list of the best locations.
Travel to Sydney
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