Best Dog Friendly Day Trips Sydney – Dog lovers and Sydney are not two things that usually go together. As much as I love my hometown of Sydney, Australia, it’s not very dog-friendly, whether it’s finding accommodation, hiking or eating.
However, if you know where to look, there are some great options for locals and visitors with dogs. So, I thought I would share my secret tips for Sydney dog lovers.
Best Dog Friendly Day Trips Sydney
While naturally many of Sydney’s sightseeing options are off-limits to dogs, whether it’s climbing the Harbor Bridge or sliding down the sand at Bondi Beach, there are plenty of dog-friendly ways to explore Sydney.
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Also don’t miss my great list of 35 dog-friendly days out around Sydney – there are loads of fun things to do with your pup!
Considering how many beaches Sydney has, unfortunately not many of them allow dogs. However, there are several options that you can consider. I’ve put together a comprehensive list of all dog friendly beaches in Sydney, including a guide to dog friendly beaches on the North Beach and dog friendly beaches in the Eastern Suburbs, here are some of my favourites:
Rose Bay Beach (Rose Bay) – The closest dog-friendly beach in the city, this harbor beach allows dogs to roam all day.
Silver Beach (Cournell, near Cronulla) – one of Sydney’s southern beaches, dogs are allowed on part of the beach at the western end. There are taps and whistles for people, and water bowls for dogs. Best of all, it runs 24 hours a day and the water is calm because it’s in Botany Bay.
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Sirius Cove Reserve (Mosman) – Another harbor beach but a little further north, this sandy beach is next to a nice picnic park. Dogs are allowed outside all day during the week, or after 4:00 and before 9:00 on weekends and holidays.
Rowland Reserve (Bayview) – Located about an hour north of the CBD in beautiful Pittswater, this area is popular with large dogs. On a smaller scale, dog baths often operate here, and across the water from Newport is its large dog-friendly beer garden.
McCauley’s Beach (Thirroul) – Just over an hour south of Sydney, this beach is perfect for a day trip to a beautiful beach. Dogs are allowed off-leash all day, but just look for signs like nearby beaches allow dogs off-leash during restricted hours.
For fun with your dog, luckily there are more parks in Sydney than beaches, although the number varies from area to area. Local councils set the rules, some councils allow dogs to roam freely in all parks, while other councils only allow dogs in one or two parks.
Doggy Day Out
If you’re visiting central Sydney, here are some of the best dog parks to visit:
Cook + Phillip Park (CBD) – Tucked away behind St Mary’s Cathedral, this is Sydney’s most central dog park. Dogs are allowed on all grass areas, just keep them out of the playground and indoor swimming areas.
Observatory Hill Park (CBD) – This is another dog park in the city, near the beginning of the Sydney Harbor Bridge and Walsh Bay neighborhood. Just watch out for the wedding party photo-shoot weekend that won’t be fun with super-friendly pooches!
Barangaroo Reserve (CBD) – Although dogs are required to stay at Barangaroo Reserve, there are great things to do for dogs in the city near the harbour. There are several types of green leaves and leafy greens.
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For more information on dog-friendly areas in central Sydney, including small parks nearby, see the City of Sydney off-leash dog park list.
Beyond the city centre, whether in the inner city or on the outskirts of Sydney, here are some of the best dog parks across Sydney:
Centennial Park – Located about 3km east of Sydney CBD, this is one of the dog-friendly parks closest to the city. A vast natural environment with everything from duck ponds to horseback riding to playgrounds, 43% of parks allow dogs off-leash, and the most popular areas are Sandstone Ridge and Federation Valley. Check the site first or the signs in the park.
Glebe Foreshore Parks (Glebe) – Head to the end of the Glebe towards Blackwattle Bay and you’ll find a number of parks lining the bay. Dogs are allowed in all parks, except playgrounds and playgrounds. But they are allowed to go only in certain areas – west of the canal and go along the coast to the fish market. The road signs are clear.
Best Dog Friendly Days Out Around Sydney
Sydney Park (Alexandria) – South of Sydney, the best dog park is Sydney Park, near St Peters train station. Dogs are allowed off-leash all day, except in small areas such as playgrounds and near meat shops. There’s even a “pet pool” for the dogs to splash around in, although sometimes they get mud baths.
Shale Hills Dog Park (West Hoxton) – I love this dog park in the south west of Sydney. The garden is large but fenced. It has a small fenced area for small dogs, as well as an agility course and training area to help you train your dog. For more information, click here.
Unfortunately, unlike the garden in Melbourne, which allows pets to roam inside, the Royal Botanic Garden in Sydney does not allow dogs. This is clearly written on the door. On the other hand, the neighboring Domain Parklands allow dogs, but on a leash.
The same rules apply at Australian Botanic Gardens Mt Annan and Blue Mountains Botanic Garden Mt Toma, meaning dogs are not allowed. If you’re looking for farms in NSW that welcome dogs, check out our list of dog-friendly farms, including farms.
Jervis Bay & Shoalhaven
Despite being a big city, Sydney is surrounded by pockets of bush, perfect for short (or long!) walks. Unfortunately, the main bush is a nature reserve, which means dogs are not allowed. Luckily there are even some tours that are still open to dogs.
For more information, see my list of dog-friendly tours in and around Sydney. I have also included a walking guide to the northern coast.
Bondi to Coogee Walk – This 6km walk in the Eastern Suburbs is one of the best things to do in Sydney, and it’s great to do with your dog, as long as you don’t walk along the beach and keep your dog on a leash. . (They are some of the busiest beaches in Sydney, so dogs are usually not allowed.)
It is best to do this at the beginning or end of the day in the summer, to avoid the heat of the day, or at any time of the day in the winter. There are also many local cafes along the way.
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Manly Dam Circuit (Manly Vale) – This is one of the longest dog-friendly circuits you can do in Sydney. The entire circuit is 7.3 km and takes about three hours. Dogs are allowed on the trail on a leash, but confusingly not in the carpark at the start of the walk.
Some dogs may also have difficulty crossing the mesh path on the dam wall at the end of the path. For both reasons it would be best to park outside on King St and walk around the car park and part of the dam wall. Click here for more information.
Lake Parramatta Reserve (Parramatta North) – A beautiful bush area near Parramatta, with free parking at the entrance. The total area around the lake is 4.2 km, and there are also 2 short walks available (the entire section). Dogs are allowed on a leash, and must stay on a regular leash. Click here for more information.
(Just a warning – many councils use baiting to control coyotes and other wildlife. Always check for signs before entering the bush with your dog, and stay away if baiting is going on.)
Dog Friendly Walks
Public transport in Sydney is not dog friendly. For starters, dogs are not allowed on trains, which are often the fastest way to get in and out of the city.
When it comes to buses, light rail and ferries, dogs are allowed if they are in a container/bag and at the discretion of the driver. See the full list of rules.
If you want to take your dog on a bus in Sydney, you must follow certain rules. First, your dog must be confined in a container or bag, not on a leash. For pictures of my carrier bag and a similar bag you can buy on Amazon, check out this post.
You should also ask the driver for permission. The main reason you can refuse a license (assuming your dog is in a carrier) is if
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